Deacons: Serving with Heart

Deacons are servant-leaders in our church, helping meet practical needs so that the ministry of the Word and prayer can thrive. Inspired by Acts 6 where the first deacons cared for widows, our deacons serve with humility, integrity, and a Christ-like heart.

Their role is all about putting others first—reflecting Jesus’ own example of service (Mark 10:43–45). By caring for our community’s needs, deacons help the church family grow stronger, closer, and more loving every day.

If you or someone you know has a need—big or small—our deacons are here to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.

Meet the team.

Rob Moffett

Deacon Chairman

Serving 2023-2025

Dan Barnette

Serving 2023-2025

Carley Abner

Serving 2023-2025

Glenn Nunnally

Serving 2023-2025

Josh Schuyler

Serving 2023-2025

Denver Shirley

Serving 2023-2025

Payton Taylor

Serving 2023-2025

Lee Arnold

Serving 2024-2026

Andrew Tarver

Serving 2024-2026

Andy Waldrop

Serving 2024-2026

Chris Dini

Serving 2024-2026

Boyd Brooks

Serving 2024-2026

Walt Landreth

Serving 2024-2026

Stosh Cyle

Serving 2024-2026

Jonathan Harris

Serving 2025-2028

Bruce Coleman

Serving 2025-2028

Ken Hatcher

Serving 2025-2028

Dwayne Kastner

Serving 2025-2028

Tracy Smith

Serving 2025-2028

Ryan Collier

Serving 2025-2028

Scott Holland

Serving 2025-2028

Returning Deacons

The following men have previously served as ordained deacons at Bethlehem and are returning to service after completing the mandatory one-year hiatus. Their reinstatement is subject to approval by the congregation vote on November 16.

Joe Welborn

Serving 2026-2029 (if approved)
Joe and his wife, Sally, were born and grew up in Habersham County.  They have two sons and 2 grandchildren.  Joe was ordained as a deacon in 1989.  They have attended church at Bethlehem for 34 years.  They are members of Bob Loffredo's Life Group.  Joe serves on the Benevolence and Insurance Committees as well as serving as a greeter, a trustee, and on the Wednesday Night Supper clean-up team.  The Welborns attend the first service.

Josh Slate

Serving 2026-2029 (if approved)
Josh is an ordained deacon from right here at Bethlehem.  He was ordained in October 2021.  He and his wife, Macy, joined Bethlehem in 2019 and welcomed their son, Paxton, in 2024.  They attend Scott Doster's Life Group and the second service on Sunday mornings.  Josh serves on the Personnel Committee, and Macy teaches in the preschool department.

Bob Williamson

Serving 2026-2029 (if approved)
Bob is a retired executive pastor.  He was ordained to ministry in 1977 while on staff at Bull Street Baptist Church in Savannah.  He also served churches in Tucker, Decatur, Chamblee, and Conyers over 42 years.  Bob has previously been a deacon at BBC and has served as the chair of the Personnel Committee.  Bob & Margie lead the co-ed Senior Adult Life Group and volunteer with one of the Wednesday Night Supper Sheppard Teams.  They have been members of BBC for 7 years.

Mike Means

Serving 2026-2029 (if approved)
Mike and Carol, after marrying in 1976, joined Friendship Baptist Church in South Hall County.  Mike was ordained as a deacon at Friendship in the early 80s.  After becoming members of Blacksheer Place Baptist Church (now Christ Place Church) in the late 80s, they served in the preschool ministry, and he was elected as a deacon.  Mike and Carol joined Bethlehem Baptist Church in 2000, and they began to serve in the preschool.  Mike has served in the deacon ministry at Bethlehem for approximately four years.  He and Carol attend Bob & Margie Williamson's Life Group.  Mike considers it a privilege to serve the church as a deacon and is looking forward to serving with the deacon body.

Casey Barron

Serving 2026-2029 (if approved)
Casey was ordained in 2003 at Bethlehem Baptist Church and desires to rejoin the active deacon ministry.  Casey is the Director of Technology at Tallulah Falls School.  He and his wife Michelle have been members at Bethlehem since 1997.  They have one son, Grant Barron age 23, who is also a member.  Casey and Michelle are active in Phillip Nott's Life Group and attend the second service.

Stuart Sanders

Serving 2026-2029 (if approved)
Stuart and his wife, Lynne, are long-time members of Bethlehem Baptist Church.  He has served as a youth Sunday School teacher, RA leader, Mission Friends leader, and physician for BBC foreign mission trips.  He was ordained as a deacon at BBC over 30 years ago.  Stuart and Lynne have three grown children and two grandchildren.

Bruce Nicholson

Serving 2026-2029 (if approved)
Bruce Nicholson is a lifelong resident of Habersham County and has worked with the Georgia Department of Transportation for 58 years.  He, his wife Brenda, and their two sons joined Bethlehem Baptist Church in 1979.  Bruce was ordained as a deacon at Bethlehem in the 1980s.  He is excited to return to the deacon body and continue to serve our church.

Deacon Prospects

The following men are being presented as new deacons for Bethlehem and will be voted on by the congregation on November 16. Some bring experience from serving as deacons in other churches, while others will be serving in this role for the very first time.

Sam Whelchel

Serving 2026-2029 (if approved)
Sam and his wife, Deborah, have been members of Bethlehem for 20 years.  They attend the first service and are in Bob and Margie Williamson's Life Group.  Sam serves on the Building and Grounds Committee.  He would be honored to serve as a deacon at Bethlehem.

Zach Brinkman

Serving 2026-2029 (if approved)
Zach Brinkman along with his wife, Ashley, and their two daughters joined Bethlehem the summer of 2023 after moving their membership from Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula, GA.  Prior to this, they served seven years with the International Mission Board.  Here at Bethlehem, they enjoy serving in the choir and leading the Newlywed Life Group.  As a family, they can be found helping the nursery, lending a hand at Beyond Bethlehem, and coming alongside other needs as they arise. (Gal. 6:9-10)

James Adams

Serving 2026-2029 (if approved)
James and his wife, Angela, joined Bethlehem Baptist Church in 2022.  They have two sons and three grandchildren.  James currently serves in the following areas: greeting, offering collection, security, Wednesday Night Suppers, and Band of Brothers meals.  James is a retired firefighter and EMT.  Angela serves in the preschool ministry and volunteers at Camp Hawkins.  James desires to become a deacon to serve the leadership and congregation of Bethlehem Baptist Church, furthering the Kingdom of Christ.

Matt Troutman

Serving 2026-2029 (if approved)
Matt is an ordained deacon from Harvest Baptist Church in Covington, GA.  Matt is a retired fireman from Rockdale County.  He and his wife, Lanette, joined Bethlehem in 2023 and joined Bobby and LaRue Gastley's Life Group.  They currently serve with a Wednesday Night Supper team, sing in the choir, and are on rotation with the greeting team.  Matt would be honored to serve Bethlehem as a deacon.

Doug Church

Serving 2026-2029 (if approved)
Doug was ordained as a deacon at Clarkesville Baptist Church in the early 1990s.  He and his wife, Evelyn, have been members of Bethlehem Baptist Church for over 25 years.  Doug and Evelyn are members of Bob Loffredo's Life Group and attend the first service.  Doug is a retired U.S. Army Officer.  He and Evelyn have been married over 64 years and have served in the U.S. Army in Germany, Hawaii, and other army posts in the United States.  Doug served in the Republic of Vietnam twice.  They have one daughter, two sons, and three granddaughters.  Doug and Evelyn strongly believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that belief in Him is the only way to be with God in Heaven.  It would be an honor and a privilege to serve as a deacon at Bethlehem Baptist Church.