Our Staff
We have a passion for people, our city of Athens, and our world. Our culture and leadership is characterized by a love of God, a genuine call to ministry, and a strong desire to see people come to a living faith in Jesus Christ.
Bill Curington
Pastor
Bill loves to help people to know and hear God better. Whether it's through sermons he delivers, Bible studies he teaches, people he prays for, or finding a ministry role for someone in Church, Bill enjoys seeing people grow in their faith with Jesus Christ.
Stan Self
Executive Minister
Stan's role is primarily an ideator. He spends his time planning and ensuring that whether you visit us online, in person, or via livestream, you will have the best experience possible to the end that you will come to know, love, worship, and serve Jesus alongside the other folks at St. James.
Bryan Shaw
Music Minister
Bryan plays a vital role in glorifying Christ and creating an atmosphere of worship while enhancing the overall spiritual experience of the congregation through music.
LaMurl Morris
Organist
LaMurl's primary role is to assist in leading worship. You will see her move from organ to piano to keyboard in our worship services. LaMurl encourages you to be a part of the music ministry where you can sing in one of the vocal ensembles or praise team or play an instrument in our worship services.
Carol Staton
Congregational Care Minister
Carol's love for God and others leads her to faithfully shepherd people through life’s ups and downs, crises, and hardships through listening, compassion, and providing comfort to support the emotional and spiritual well-being of all in our congregation.
Cultivating a safe and fun environment where your children can come to know and love Jesus is central to April’s approach to Children’s ministry. With a focus that encompasses the whole family, she believes that discipleship built upon a strong biblical foundation is essential for training up children in the way they should go, seasoned with plenty of joy and laughter along the way!
Adam Grice
YOUTH MINISTER
Adam provides an exciting, relevant setting for Youth to explore a faith in Christ that will withstand the social challenges that confront youth today.
Jenna Parrish
Assistant Children's Minister
Jenna provides a safe, secure, clean, and fun environment for our youngest babies, toddlers, and preschoolers to explore. With plenty of age-appropriate crafts, games, music, toys, Bible stories, and books, Jenna hopes every child in the nursery will have a wonderful experience and encounter the love and gentleness of Jesus through her and her team of experienced nursery caregivers.
Mary Swift
Administrative Assistant
Mary's is the friendly voice you hear when you call the church and the smiling face you see when you visit the church office. She will answer your questions, connect you with the appropriate staff person, or otherwise facilitate your contact to meet your need, all while holding the office together on a daily basis.
Monica Calero
Financial Secretary
Monica is here to ensure that your financial gifts are properly received, recorded, and deposited. She also ensures that your end of year giving statements are distributed to you in a timely manner.
Yvonne Craft
Pastor of The Light
Pastor Craft is the Pastor of The Light and serves on the staff of St. James where she shares her wisdom, experience, and unbounded love of Jesus. For more on The Light go HERE.
Our Leadership for 2026
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Chair, Johnny Prescott
Secretary, Adrienne Colley
Lay Leader, Kin McKinnon
Finance, Scott Cochran
Treasurer, Gretchen Bowen
SPR, Jason Miller
Altar Committee, To Be Filled
Member-at-Large: Max Harrell (2026)
Member-at-Large: Kathy Lawler (2027)
Member-at-Large: Doug Mays (2028)
Executive Minister, Stan Self
Pastor, Bill Curington
MINISTRY COUNCIL
Leader & chair of Missions, Stan Self
Lay Leader, Kin McKinnon
Children’s ministry, Deborah Self
Congregational care, Carol Staton
Connect team, Jason Green
Women’s ministry, Karen Halper
Men’s ministry, Gabriel Bowen
Discipleship ministries, Bailey Mitchell
Fellowship ministry, Vicky Lester
Media ministries, Riley Prescott
Prayer, Sandy Blount
Women of Faith, Carol Miller
Worship, Bryan Shaw
Youth ministry, Adam Grice
Youth Rep, Violet Lallerstedt
Member-at-Large: Callie Jo Bowen
Member-at-Large: Rita Bryant
Member-at-Large: Carol Harrell
Pastor, Bill Curington
Additional Ministry Positions
Altar Committee: Henry & Judy Sims, Gene & Sue Smith, Mike Hook, Susan Weldon, Jason Miller
Children’s & Nursery Ministry reps: Callie & Gabriel Bowen
Bereavement coordinators: Donna Cochran & Kathy Stewart
Lay Delegate to Annual Conference: Kin McKinnon
Alternate to Annual Conference: Jane Kilgo
Staff-Parish Relations: Chair, Jason Miller
Class of 2026
Jane Lang | Jackson Mulkey | Vint Wilson
Class of 2027
Riley Prescott | Jason Miller | Katie Howard
Class of 2028
Michael Lallerstedt | Gene Smith | Suzanne Morrison
Trustees: Chair, (to be elected in January)
Staff Rep, Adam Grice
Class of 2026
Susan Mays | Jeff Larkins | John Morris
Class of 2027
Callie Bowan | Andrew Hilliard | Jared Self
Class of 2028
Adrienne Colley | Jack Bush | Deric Boggs
Security team: Chair, Matt Robbins
A. Safety chair, Matt Robbins
B. Natural disasters & medical chair, Mike Hook
Nominations: Pastor Bill Curington, Chair
Class of 2026
Gabriel Bowen | Kin McKinnon | Susan Weldon
Class of 2027
Angela Benton | Jason Green | Deborah Self
Class Of 2028
Gretchen Bowen | Shannon Boyd | Jason Miller
Finance Committee: Scott Cochran, Chair
Member at Large: Clay Gilbert
Member at Large: Max Harrell
Member at Large: Matt Robbins
Member at Large: Kris Knox
Treasurer: Gretchen Bowen
Leadership Board Chair: Johnny Prescott
Staff Parish Relations Chair: Jason Miller
Lay Leader & Delegate: Kin McKinnon
Trustee Chair: (to be designated in January)
Financial Secretary: Monica Calero
Pastor Bill: Curington