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Ministers & Staff

Ed Wallen

Minister/Staff - Senior Adult Minister

Dr. Wallen is a retired Southern Baptist Pastor, but has been working with our Senior citizens for the past nine years. He is the founder and president of Bible Study Foundation which has been ministering in Ukraine for the past thirteen years and assisting young pastors here in the USA.  He is author of many articles, Bible studies, and one published book, “My Life, My Soul, My All” which is a study on Discipleship. He has served on many committees, boards and agencies within the Southern Baptist Convention.   
 

Phyliss Wright

Minister/Staff - Children's Minister

Phyliss has led PBC's ministry to children for over twenty years.  She began serving as a lay minister and was officially hired by the church in 2003. Phyliss and her husband, Terry, grew up in PBC and have served together in the church for over 25 years. They have two grown children, Brittany and Benjamin, and are expecting their first grandchild in January. Phyliss graduated from Briarwood Christian High School in 1980 and from The University of Montevallo in 1983 with a B.S. in Education. Phyliss enjoys her ministry to children so much it appears to others she is "just playing." She does, however, take very seriously the responsibility she has been given.

Josh Meredith

Minister/Staff - Minister of Music

Josh has been the Minister of Music and Worship since 2005. He is from Henderson, Kentucky, and graduated from Samford University with a Bachelor of Arts in Church Music in 2003. Josh loves the rich, Christ-exalting hymns – both old and new – and desires more than anything that God be honored in the truth of what we sing. Josh has played the violin for most of his life (since age three) and continues to play in corporate worship and other special events. He married his high school sweetheart, Rachel Prewitt, in June of 2003, and they have two irresistibly cute sons, Hayden and Hudson. Hayden is already following in his dad’s footsteps.  He’s an avid musician at the age of three, playing the violin, mandolin, drums, and just about any other object he can get his hands on.

Guy (Gus) Andolina

Minister/Staff - Youth Minister

Gus, as he is affectionately known, has been involved with the Student ministry at PBC since he came to his first Delta Flight as a wee lad in 2001. As Student Ministry assistant/intern he helps coordinate youth Wednesday night bible study, teaches Middle School Sunday School, and assists with the behind the scenes planning and coordinating of all the Student Ministry events of the calendar year. His greatest thrill is seeing students grow in God’s Word, and seeing it transform the way they live in this world. Gus is a 2003 graduate of Shades Valley High School and is currently enrolled at Jeff State with an expected graduation date of 2049.

Carissa Croy

Minister/Staff - CDC Administrative Director

Carissa began working as a teacher in the CDC in 1995.  In 2006 she was hired as Administrative Director.  She accepted Christ as a young child, and through the example and leadership of her parents, she realized how important it is to make sure that children have a true understanding of what it means to surrender their lives to Christ.  This experience is what led her to devote her work to young children.  Carissa was raised in South Florida, graduating from Miami Palmetto High School in 1990.  She graduated from Samford University in 1994 with a degree in Sociology and minored in Religious Education.  She married Marshall Croy III in December of 1994 and has three children; Abigail, Caleb and Joshua.

Jennifer Middleton

Minister/Staff - CDC Education Director

Jennifer has been the Education Director of PBC's Child Development Center for three years (2006). She accepted Christ during children’s worship here at PBC when she was seven.  She graduated from Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School in 2000 and then went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University in 2004. Her ministry at the CDC began as a teacher’s aide while in college. After graduating, Jennifer continued to work at the CDC as a four-year-old kindergarten teacher until accepting the position of Education Director in 2006. Jennifer met her husband Joe at Auburn and they were married here at PBC in 2005.

Shirley Crowder

Minister/Staff - Church Secretary

Shirley has been secretary at PBC for five years. After getting to know the staff and congregation she transferred her membership and became an active member. Shirley was born under a mango tree in Ogbomosho, Nigeria, West Africa where her parents served as Southern Baptist missionaries. She attended Westminster Christian School in Gadsden, AL; and Samford University in Birmingham, AL. She has held various positions in organizations ranging from denominational/church affiliated organizations to Fortune 500 companies. Shirley’s childhood experiences on the mission field gave her a unique perspective on Christian living and serving.  For the past 30 years she has taught numerous ladies’ Sunday School classes and small group Bible studies, and ministered within the prayer, preschool, children’s, student, senior adult and music ministries in various churches. 

Sharon Ryce

Minister/Staff - Financial Secretary

Sharon joined the PBC staff in June of 2007.  Before joining the staff, she spent over 15 years in the field of Human Resources management, training and insurance working for both larger and smaller companies.  She is married, has two children and serves at the Greater New Antioch Baptist Church.

Ken Phillips

Minister/Staff - Custodian

Ken is originally from California, is a very hard worker, has no hair, and has memorized like 87% of the Bible. I'm pretty sure that's about all we're going to get from him...