We pray that you might meet Lon through the words printed here;
then as a visitor of our church!

 

•  The Church
  
  Lon has served Bethlehem and the Lick Skillet/Hazel Green community since 1992. He has proven himself as a caring, loving, and God-fearing man, which has proven evident that the Lord was leading him -even back then- to be our Shepherd today.
  
  When asked what he plans for Bethlehem’s future, he remarked: “There are many opportunities and ministries to be created where we can reach out to each other and to the members of our community for Christ.  The dreams accomplished during the past 15 years are just preludes to the dreams that we will see in our future.  Our vision as a church is being fulfilled because we, as a people, have -and never will- stop dreaming.  My support team of workers and staff are of the highest caliber, and no church is worth more than the people who hold it together.  God’s plan for our future is beyond what I can ask or think, but it is HIS PLAN, and I know we will look back with praises to His name.
  
  
  
  
  
• His Family
  
  Pastor Lon was born on January 11, 1964, in Charleroi, PA, as the son of Steve and Becky Ostrzycki. He has 1 brother and 2 sisters.  In 1970, the family moved to Chattanooga, TN, where he was influenced through the ministry of the late and renowned Dr. Lee Roberson of the Highland Park Baptist Church.  The family later moved to Chickamauga, GA, and then in 1976 relocated to the Huntsville, Alabama, area where he has resided since that time. 
  
  He subsequently married his high school sweetheart, Susan Norton, in 1983.  A book could be written concerning his life from that moment.  Lon and Susan were told that their only hope in having a child was through the process of adoption.  They opted instead to believe that what is not possible with man, is possible with God, and now are the proud parents of two children, Lon Alan, Jr., (19) and Rachel Susan (16). Both of his children dearly love the Lord.
  
  Alan was called to the ministry at an early age, and is now pursuing that call through attendance at The Mobile University in Mobile, Alabama, as a sophomore—maintaining a 4.0 GPA.   Rachel will be a Senior at Hazel Green High School and graduate in 2008, also with highest of honors.  Her future appears to be in education and child development, but following the Lord is uppermost in her mind, wherever He may lead.
  
  
  
• His Education
  
  Pastor Lon attended the University of North Alabama, as well as Whitesburg Heritage Bible College, where he often is asked to fill in for various professors as an instructor.  He jokingly laughs as he refers to his best education being the “School of Hard Knocks.”
  
  
  
• His Leadership
  
  Pastor Lon began his work in Youth Ministry in 1983 at Heritage Baptist Church in Huntsville as a voluntary youth leader.  In 1992, he was chosen as the bi-vocational Youth Pastor/Associate Pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church. There were only 6-8 teens back then, now the Youth Ministry claims 100-125 members!
  
  During the earlier years, he filled in as an interim pastor for nine months while the church was searching for a Shepherd.  During that time, souls were continually being saved and families were joining the church (a strange phenomenon for a church without a pastor).
  
  His enthusiasm for reaching the lost and drawing them to Jesus through teaching, preaching, and evangelism is evident through his constant and consistent dedication to developing new and better programs affecting not just young people, but all of Bethlehem’s congregation and community of which he has been a strong, upstanding citizen.  His involvement has extended to community affairs in the Lick Skillet/Hazel Green area since 1992 in athletics and school participation, as well.
  
  Some of these programs were World Changers (11 years), later starting Community Changers (now in its 6^th year); the Stand-up Team and First Priority Teams (~12 years) in our local schools.  These achievements could not have happened without the leadership of the Lord.  As he met with school principals and directors, the congregation prayed—and God displayed his miraculous hand through each of these ministries and we rejoiced in souls being saved almost daily.
  
  Four years ago, one of his youth was taken home to be with Jesus at a young age through an automobile accident, and as a result of her altar-prayer with Lon a few weeks earlier for “Unity” to reign throughout this area—the program of Community-Unity was founded.  Local and surrounding churches are encouraged to close their doors two Sunday nights a year—to unite in a common bond of worship with each other at a larger central meeting place.
  
  Attendance at youth conferences in general, youth rallies, and youth revivals, (“Acquire the Fire” being one in particular), stirred an excitement within the souls of teens that was evident not only on Sundays, but in their daily communion with the Lord.  A youth band was started, and “Broken,” a team of approximately 30 young people began an expressive worship of dance, publicly declaring their love for Jesus and traveling to different churches in the area to do so.  Lon’s dream of having young people go and minister on their own was being fulfilled.
  
  He saw the need for a place where teens could congregate, not just on Sundays, but throughout the week, and envisioned a place that would fulfill that purpose at Bethlehem.  A cafeteria and game room was established.  The new addition to the church provided a basketball court and a spacious area for a game room that now provides air hockey, ping pong, pool, Nintendo, and other video games.  You could (and can) find Lon along with the willing helpers and volunteers of Bethlehem cooking hamburgers and feeding the teens with physical food, while an opportunity to feed their spiritual needs is never overlooked.
  
  But Pastor Lon’s talents do not just lie with youth.  His love for all of the church permeates from infants and pre-school children, all the way to Senior Adults.  Since 1998, he meets with the Senior Adults every Tuesday morning and often drives the bus or van to places such as Gatlinburg, Memphis, Branson , etc., where a few days are spent fellowshipping and enjoying each other and the goodness of the Lord.
  
  
  
• The Future
  
  Pastor Lon is an example of one who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk.  He encourages all the members of BBC to be proactive in creating opportunities for others to get involved in ministry, not only as a community, but also as a local body of believers working together.  One of his life verses, “I can do all things THROUGH Christ (Phillipians 4:13) rings clear both in his messages and through his life.
  
  As Bethlehem has grown from an average of approximately 90 people in 1992 to well over 800 in three morning worship services, with 525 in Sunday School classes, Lon’s dreams continue to grow, and he attests to how God had been leading him in the last year and a half in another direction.  His thoughts were never of being the Senior Pastor until God laid the plan out before his eyes clearly and concisely.  He not only felt the Lord’s leadership in this, but was excited to know God could entrust him with a group of wonderful praying people such as are members at Bethlehem. The people of Bethlehem responded and confirmed this calling with a vote of overwhelming confidence on June 20^th, 2007.
  
  Not to be left out of her importance in this role is Susan’s position as his wife.  Over the years, she has worked with young people and knows that the future will reveal a beautiful pattern of God’s love in all of our hearts.  With Lon’s busy schedule, she has never complained of his absence from their family life.  She realizes that it is not the quantity of time that we spend together, but the quality of that time—and their family is an indicator that Pastor Lon must be doing things right.
  
  
  
• Things you want to know but were afraid to ask:
  
  What are your favorite things to do? Preaching, Teaching, Hunting, Fishing, Spending Time with Family, Working Out, Bungie Jumping, Riding 4-Wheelers & Going Boating and Dating (Come on... His wife!)
  
  What is your favorite movie of all time? The Passion of the Christ & the Rocky Movies (ALL of them!!)
  
  What about your favorite music group or artist? Jimmy McClure & the BBC Praise Team (AKA Jimmy and the Toons) and UNCHAINED
  
  And your favorite sports teams?  Pittsburg Steelers, Tennessee Titans and the Atlanta Braves
  
  What is your favorite thing to do on a Saturday? Sleep in! and spend time with family... sometimes cookout or watch a movie.
  
  What is your favorite scripture? Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 4:13
  
  Who would like to meet? Billy Graham & Jesus, because of their passion for the lost!
  
  What did your high school classmates think you would be when you grew up? Over 400 of my seniors class voted me "Most Likely To Be: MARRIED TO SUSAN"!! (Some smart cookies, aye?!)
  
  Where are you most likely to be hangin' out these days? Church, Hospital, Funeral Home, Visiting in Someone's Home, Studying for Sermons, Teaching Lessons, Filling Out Letters for Recommendation or Pastor's Page, Marryin' Folks, Counseling, Envisioning Dreams for BBC,  Praying and on, and on, and on, and on! To God Be the Glory!
  
  
  We couldn't end this welcome without establishing Lon’s highest priorities:  God, Family, then Church. 
  
  Bethlehem is dedicated to creating strong families with the knowledge that “Strong Families Build Strong Ministries.”  Family comes second only to God and our relationship with him.  It was interesting to hear him remark, “Don’t pray for me if you aren’t praying for your family first.  Pray for them… and then pray for me!”
  
  As we pray together—God will grant the increase, and we will praise His marvelous works.

Phillip can't wait to do his bio... however, it must love to wait for him...
he's been here for about a year now and still hasn't found time to do it!
Maybe one of these days... ;-)

Danny has been a member of BBC for several years, but he joined the BBC staff on January 1 2007.

Family:

  Danny has been married to his wonderful and beautiful bride, Sherry, for 20 years. They have 3 children, a 17 year old son, Daniel; a 15 year old daughter, Brittany, who both attend a local Christian academyand a 10 year old daughter, Megan.

  Their family mission statement is “ To worship and enjoy our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to serve others in love and to lead those around us through the love, power and wisdom of the Spirit and God’s Holy Word.”

  
His life with Christ:

   He gave his life to Christ in 1979 and was called into the ministry in 1981.He began to serve as Pastor of a small congregation in Jackson County Alabama in 1983. Since then, he has been Senior Pastor of two other churches and associate pastor of two churches working with adults, teenagers and children. In 1990, he received a Bachelors degree in Theology from Word of Truth Seminary. Danny says "I am enjoying my twenty-seventh year of ministry this year! To God be all the glory!"

  Danny and his family believes that BBC is a unique place to worship and serve. The passion of the members to see people come to Christ, connect with others and learn to serve has been inspiring to them. He says that they have truly been blessed by the opportunity to serve at BBC.

Inquiring minds want to know:

His favorite movie is Second Hand Lion

His favorite bands are Third Day, Mercy Me

His favorite song is Only Grace

His favorite sport is Golf

His favorite sports team are the Tennessee Vols... GO BIG ORANGE!

His favorite food is Mexican... thank goodness, since the only sit-down restaurants in Hazel Green are Mexican restaurants!

His favorite scriptures are:
Romans 12:1-2: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Galatians 2:20: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Isaiah 41:13: For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

 

You can find Danny hunting, fishing, riding ATV’s and playing any kind of ball and spending time with my family on any given Saturday...

Danny's birthday is September 6th.

 Read Danny's testimony here

Phone#: 828-4835 extension # 231

Justin joined the BBC staff on Jan 7^th, 2008, we can't wait to see what God has in store!

• His Family
  
  He and Lori met in college, but she really saw no need in giving him the time of day... as far as she was concerned, he could buy his own watch... but after being cast as “Cinderella” and Justin as “Prince Charming”, she could no longer ignore him. So, they soon began dating...  it wasn't long before HE knew SHE was "The One”, but it took a little more than a slipper that fit to convince Lori! She finally gave in and married him, they have now been married for 5 years and have one son, Cayden.
  
  
• His Education
  
  He graduated from BobJonesHigh School in 1998. He then received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music, Bible and Theatre from Blue Mountain College in Mississippi in 2002. He is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Children’s Ministry from LibertyUniversity.

• His Relationship with Christ
  
  He attended Heritage Baptist Church in Huntsville on a regular basis until the age of 8, which is when his family moved to Minnesota. There were very few Baptist churches in the area, so it was easy for his parents to decide not to find a new church home. On returning to Alabama in 1992, he began to ride to church with his uncle.  Soon after, he started attending regularly again, thanks to friends and the Bus Ministry.  He grew up in an excellent Youth Ministry, and by the age of 14, he knew how to be saved just as much as he knew how to breathe!  Between the ages of 11 to 14, Satan really tried to stop him from following the LORD.  However, on January 1^st, 1995, he attended a Winter Retreat with his youth group... instead of going to bed, several of the youth stayed up that night singing praises to God.  As they sang, he felt an overwhelming concern for his life and the direction he was headed- so much so that he got a headache. He went off to the side of the room because of the headache and began to pray. He asked God to heal his headache and expressed his concerns about his life's direction.  God showed him that he was in more trouble than he realized... he was headed for an eternity that he didn’t want. He knew then that he needed the LORD to save him from the path he was headed down.  Justin now finds joy in knowing that the LORD was preparing him all those years before for that moment. It was the first time he really understood what he had been hearing all those years... after receiving Christ as his Savior, he began to cry tears of joy! The concern that was troubling him was no longer his concern because he knew it was in His hands! If you feel like you know "how" to be saved, just as Justin did for all those years, but you don't know that you ARE saved, please contact any of our staff for help!
  
  
• His Ministry
  
  Justin's home church is Wall Highway Baptist in Madison, Alabama, which is where he surrendered to full time ministry in August 1998. His passion in ministry is to bring children to a relationship with God that causes them to explode with child-like excitement about the things of God!
  
  
• Things You Want to Know, but Were Afraid to Ask
  
  His favorite movie is Goonies...
  His favorite musical group is The Newsboys and Acappella (quite a contrast!) 
  His favorite songs are “He Rains” by the Newsboys & “Unfailing Love” by Chris Tomlin
  His favorite food?  Lori says it's “A1 Steak Sauce”, but he says "Meat-n-Taters"!
  His "eeewwwww...yucky!" food? Cheese! (Good thing we don't live in Wisconsin!)
  His favorite sport and team? Football & The Miami Dolphins!
  (Take a look at his office and you'll think Dan Marino is the Children's Pastor!)
  What's he up to on a Saturday afternoon? Family time, golfing, Fantasy Football, learning to play guitar, shooting hoops or just relaxing!
  His favorite scripture is Ephesians 5:1 "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children."
  
  His mentors are Phil Vischer and Jim Wideman because they both have done some amazing things in the world of Children’s Ministries. (It takes some amazing people to come up with singing, dancing and talking vegetables that praise God!)
  
  His Birthday is June 23rd, 1980
  
  What is the Most Interesting Fact about Justin? "I can’t leave a store without visiting the toy department!" (Imagine that...)
  

Jimmy has been our Worship Leader since 1997. When you want to be brought to the Throneroom of God, you'll want to be a part of our worship here at BBC!

Family
Jim and Sharon have been married for 27 years and have 2 children, Jennifer is a student at UAH and Stevie is a 5th grader. Sharon and the kids support and participate in his music ministry. Jim can play just about every instrument known to man, Sharon sings in the choir and the kids are super talented too! Jen plays drums and Stevie plays guitar in our services! When asked what he likes most about serving at BBC, he said "The freedom to worship our God, not just singing, but real worship."

Faith
Jim grew up in a Christian home, so its no surprise that he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at the young age of 16 at Lincoln Baptist Church. He was called into the ministry in 1972 and has been praising the Lord ever since.

Things you want to know but were afraid to ask:
His favorite movie is Braveheart...
His favorite musical artist is Jim Croce...
He loves all water sports...
He said he wants to meet Billy Graham because he has admired him all his life...
All his friends in high school thought he would most likely be playing in a rock & roll band, but as it turns out, he leads a ROCKIN' CHURCH BAND!

 

Miami has served at BBC as our Hispanic Pastor for 10 years! He also leads our Mexico Mission Team on a bi-annual mission trip to Mexico... in fact, so inspired by his love for God, Miami felt the call to establish a church in Tapa-Chula, Chiapas, Mexico!

Education
In 2006, while serving as the Hispanic Pastor at BBC, Miami attended Whitesburg Heritage College to obtain his Master Degree of Divinity

Family
His wife Jennifer and four children, David, Danny, Sarah & JT live in Owens Cross Roads. He makes a very long drive twice a week so that he can be half way between his job in Guntersville and his church.

Miami's birthday is March 3rd, 1966

Miami hasn't answered the questions we all want to know the answers to, so as soon as we can get him to sit down long enough, we'll get them up for you!
 

Staff
Mike is in his 6th year serving here at BBC, but was was placed on staff in 2005. He also holds the position as City Director for the First Priority Campus Ministry of the Greater Huntsville area. He is an administrator, and evangelist and a teacher.

He accepted the call of ministry on October 14, 1985. Since that time, he has worked primarily with youth in the areas of education and evangelism. He has been preaching and teaching in local churches and at regional events; and coordinating youth and community events for dozens and for thousands. His education and work experience is in business management, while is primary spiritual gift is in administration. Mike strives to have his personal mission statement encompass everything he's about:  "To help make an eternal difference". Mike surrendered to full time ministry in Atlanta, GA in 1986 when he was a district leader for Royal Rangers, a boys Christian education program, and a councelor for CBN, the Christian Broadcast Network.

Faith
Mike accepted Jesus Christ on October 14, 1985. He did not grow up in a Christian home and believes that his calling from God was much like the Apostle Peter, he said, "Jesus walked up to Peter and said, 'Follow Me' and really, that's what I did, I dropped everything and have been following him ever since!" Mike has a passion for serving the needs of Christ. His goal is to provide students with opportunities that he didn’t have while growing up. First, provide students with the gospel message in and out of the four walls of the church. Second, provide opportunities for them to be properly assimilated into the body of Christ. Third, teach students to pass down an eternal legacy for future generations to imitate. He wants to disciple the leaders of today to function 'outside the box' of the traditional church and provide leaders of all ages to reach the lost in our communities. 

Family
He has been married to Linda for 32 years. They have a daughter Amy, who graduated high school in 2007, and a son Matthew, who currently attends Sparkman Ninth Grade Academy. Linda’s family roots have been planted in Hazel Green for generations. Mike and his family consider it an honor and privilege to serve the families of this community and plan to continue to do so until Jesus comes back!

Education
He graduated from HGHS and attended a couple of colleges and got a couple of pieces of paper to hang on the wall, but because he doesn't like to toot his horn, we decided to be vague... you could say he's a pretty smart ol' cookie, but one that doesn't want to be seen!

What Inquiring Minds Want to Know:
Mike is thankful for ice tea, air conditioning, remote controls, home, health, BBQ ribs, rain, deodorant, accountability, I & II Timothy, the Apostle Paul and John the Baptist, a memory that lets Him forget the bad stuff and remember the good stuff, and the times when someone finally gets the revelation that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

 

 

He has a Jack Russell Terrier named Matty, which was a Father's Day gift from his family. She reminds him daily of what true love, service, forgiveness and obedience is all about!

 

His favorite movie? Forrest Gump (Life really is like a box of chocolates, right?!)

 

His favorite musical groups are Casting Crowns and Third Day

 

His favorite sports teams are the Lincoln County Falcons, the Sparkman Senators and the Hazel Green Trojans!

 

His birthday is September 18, 1957.

 

What you'll catch him doing on a Saturday: Linda puts him to work on those Honey-do's!

 

His favorite scripture is Luke 9:48, "Then he said to them, 'Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all- he is the greatest.'"

 

He wants to meet the Apostle Paul when he goes through those Pearly Gates. "Because I admire his endurance and dedication as a servant. He was all things to all people."

 

In high school, he says he was most likely to be "Shot by an angry dad." (Let's not ask why!)

 

These days, he is most likely to be at home or church. He says, "I was once part of the world, but now I'm not. I have come to appreciate the short amount of time I have on this earth and want to leave a positive legacy for my children and the youth that I serve to honor the Lord."

"My family, my ministry and my job are my life!"

You can reach Keith at church 256.828.4835 or on his cell 931.200.3548


FAMILY
He and Anna, "the most beautiful and supportive wife in the world", have been married for 7 years. He says, "Without her support and encouragement, I couldn't be the man I am today. 1 Corinthians 7:14 says, 'For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife.' That was definitely the case in my life, without her relationship to Jesus, who knows what or where we would be today." Keith and Anna have 2 children, Christian Alexander, age 5 and Trenton Isaiah, age 3. Keith said, "Yes, I know they have big names, but I am expecting big things out of my boys. I can't wait to see what God allows them to do for His ministry!" Keith says that he doesn't deserve his family, but he cherishes and adores each one of them. His favorite time with them is during their nightly routine. They go to the boys room, learn a verse, sing Amazing Grace and pray together. "A Family That Prays Together, Stays Together!"

FAITH
Keith says that he loves the Lord and desires a closer relationship with Him, he sometimes gets his priorities out of whack and spends more time 'for' Him, than 'with' Him. He longs for the passion that would consume him until he is physically sick when he doesn't spend enough time with God. "Just a Closer Walk with Thee!"
Keith grew up in a Christian home, but says that things were "a little out of balance." He says that he truly admires Christian women that are doing everything they can to raise a Christian family because the fathers aren't taking the responsibility that God placed in their hands. Keith says that his mother did the best she could to try to get him, his brother ans sister to church. He says that he could never thank her enough for the Christian morals that she and his Nanny instilled in him. As a note to guys all over the world, Keith wants you to know that God never intended for women to have that job; the man is the Spiritual Leader of the household. To the ladies that have been left with that job, he wants you to know, "if your man won't step up, you just keep doing what you know to do and God will bless you and your family."
Keith thought he had been saved at age 12, but his life in high school and college did not reflect Christianity. He says that the only conviction he had was that he didn't want his mother to find out what he was into! He accepted Christ as his Savior at age 25 at Center Star Baptist Church while doing the Christian Drama, "The Dream". He was teaching Sunday School, dancing with our Expressive Dance team, Broken, acting in "The Dream", singing in the choir and working in the nursery... he was doing a lot of church things, but soon realized that Jesus was missing from the equation. If you're finding yourself in a similar situation, please contact our church office; we would love to help you find your way to the Lord Jesus Christ, because NOTHING can save you but Jesus!

MINISTRY
Keith's passion in ministry is to be able to crack open the door to the Throneroom and allow others to go in! He loves to get lost in the worship and not realize that anyone is there but him and Jesus! He longs for everyone to feel the freedom that God has given all of us and to be able to express the way we feel for God. He has a longing to help break the chains of oppression and find the true worshippers that God desires. (John 4:23)
Keith is very much in tune with the Spirit in knowing when to keep singing or to just 'shut up' as he puts it! He does a great job at presenting the worship music so that it softens the hearts of our youth so that they are more receptive to the message that God has for them through Phillip or other speakers on Wednesday nights.
Keith says that he loves the FREEDOM at BBC, we aren't held together by a bulletin that determines what songs the congregation will sing. God's Holy Spirit is allowed to work and is not confined to what we are limited to perceive. He says, "Our staff is awesome and supportive. Lon is the best because he realizes that sometimes he doesn't even have to preach and we would worship the whole service! He has been encouraging to me and allowed me to grow as a worship leader. Brother Jimmy has been my Paul in the ministry. It all started 3 1/2 years ago when he taught the first guitar class, until then, I was limited in playing only a few secular songs and maybe a couple worship songs. Six months after starting the class, I was leading the Youth Worship! Who would have ever believed that 3 years later, they kep me around as the Youth Worship Leader! God truly uses those who get prepared, and mostly when you don't expect it! Jimmy, thank you for equipping me for the battlefield and having enough confidence in me to fill in for the adults when you're on vacation."

EDUCATION
Keith graduated in 1996 from the home of the Hornets, Huntland High School in Tennessee... Go Hornets!! Keith graduated in 1999 from Motlow State Community College with an Associates Degree. But he is most proud of his Runner-up Status in Mrs. Fannings 2nd grade Spelling Bee! Some things never change, he still can't spell "refrijarator"!

THINGS YOU WANT TO KNOW
He loves to: Make Anna happy (If Mommy ain't happy, NOBODY's happy!), hear his children laugh, sing, talk about Jesus and pray! He loves anything competitive: wrestling (mainly with Anna!), football, basketball, softball and occasionally golf! He can be found writing songs, playing instruments, watching UFC play, but most of all he enjoys being with his family!
He wants to train in mixed Martial Arts, but isn't really thrilled about getting punched, kicked, knee'd, elbow'd or hurt in any fashion, so he'll probably just enjoy it from a safe distance.
His favorite movie of all time is the Goonies because he always wanted to find a treasure so he could help out his parents and save the day!
His favorite musicians are Jeff Deyo, Journey and Boys II Men
His favorite sports team is the Tennessee VOLS
His favorite thing to do on a Saturday is to be with his family, anywhere!
His favorite scripture is 1 Corinthians 10:13 because he has had to use it MANY times and Revelation 21:4,5 because he can't wait until there is no more pain, sorrow or death... and no more JOB!
In high school, he was most likely to be working out, playing sports, going to parties, singing and dancing
These days, he is most likely to be at church, NOT working out, singing, playing and wrestling with the boys and lounging around with Anna
His birthday is February 2, 1978... the big 3-0 is coming soon!

You can reach Javie at the church at 256.828.4835 extension #227
or on his cell at 256.777.5444

Staff
Javie has been on the BBC staff since June 1, 2006. His passion for the preschool ministry is to show God's love to all the tots in his care. He makes sure that the kids are surrounded by God's love and teach them of that love whenever they are at BBC. The thing he enjoys most about serving at BBC is that he can serve with a group of people that love God, but the highpoint is when those little ones give him great big hugs!

Family:
Javie and Nikki have been married for 9 years and have 2 beautiful little girls. Olivia is 5 and Maggie is 2. He says that Nikki is his soul mate and when God have her to him that He gave him the puzzle piece that completes him. They are very much a team!

Education
Javie graduated from Sparkman High School and currently holds a full-time position at Bob Wallace Appliance in addition to his duties as Preschool Minister.

Faith
Javie grew up in a Christian home where he was loved tremendously. He accepted Christ as his Savior at 14 years old at Freeway House of the Lord and surrendered to full time ministry at BBC in January 1998.

Interesting and Unusual Facts

His birthday is August 23, 1977
He loves to hunt, fish, spend time with his family, watch cartoons and spend time with the tots at church...
He has a Yorkie named Rocky...
His favorite movie of all time is Braveheart... (You gotta be brave to work in the Pre-K dept all the time!)
His favorite musician is Chris Rice... (He said it was because they think alike!)
His favorite sports teams are:  NCAA – Alabama, NFL – Pittsburg Steelers & MLB - Yankees
His favorite thing to do on a Saturday is watch football (Imagine that!)
His favorite scripture is Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth." because "Without God in the beginning, there would be no end!"
People he wants to meet:
Imaginary: Bugs Bunny, "How did he get away from Elmer Fudd and Marvin the Martian every time?"
Alive: Billy Graham, "Because he is such a great man of God."
Dead: Joseph, "Because I want to know what it was like to be the father of God!"
His favorite Bible story is of Joseph’s life, "No matter what happened, he still kept his focus and saved his nation."

From Javie
"The first time I looked into the eyes of my child, I saw one of the greatest gifts of God. I was able to see that the love that I have in my heart for her doesn’t even begin to amount to the love my heavenly father has for me. From the very first breath she took, I knew I would give up everything I own, or give up my very life for my child. My father gave up his son for me…….this is the love that I hope to show to all the children in my care."

 I love children. A person can not have a life with Jesus that will stand without a good foundation. The children in the preschool department at Bethlehem Baptist Church are very important to me and my staff, and we strive to start a good foundation for them to grow. I have two children that God has blessed me with as my own. At this time I have about 50 more that he has blessed me with the opportunity to show then God’s love and in exchange I get a lot of neck hugs and leg hugs. I have the greatest job in the world. I also have been blessed with a great staff of volunteers that love children just as much as I do.  

If I die today I have been blessed more than I deserve. I can only hope that when I do leave this world that I will be remembered as a man who loved God and change the life of a child. However , I know that the amount of people at my funeral will be dictated by weather ……

Elaine has been our Financial Secretary for a number of years.

You can reach Melissa at extension 221

Staff
Melissa has been on the BBC staff providing admin support to our pastoral staff since 1998. She is happy serving them so that they have time and the freedom to minister and evangelize to our members and community. When asked about her job at the church, she commented, "The best thing about my job is the unconditional love for me and my family that is given by the BBC staff and members."

Family
She and her husband, Brian have been married for 19 years and have 3 children. Holly is a freshman in college, Justin is a high school sophomore and Morgan is a 5th grader.

Education
Melissa graduated from HGHS in 1986 and attended North Alabama College of Commerce.

Faith
Melissa's aunt, the Bus Ministry and other BBC families made sure to get Melissa to church. She believes the time that Aunt Janie invested in her then is the reason she is here today. Melissa accepted Jesus Christ at the age of 12 and was baptized by our Senior Pastor at the time, Brother Harry Moody. Years later, she attended a revival by evangelist Scott Dawson, it was there that she decided to put away all doubt and go forward to make sure that her salvation was sealed. Now she loves to express her love for Jesus and others here at BBC on a daily basis serving the church and community! Her favorite scripture is Psalm 37:4: Delight thyself also in the Lord and he shall give the the desires of thine heart.

Melissa thinks that she is a boring person, but we'll let you decide!

Say "HI!" when you see her at Starbucks, Rosie's or the Mall!!
She loves Frappaccinos,  Mexican food and SHOPPING!

Pretty Woman is her favorite movie... She said, "I know, not a very positive influence, but a great movie!" (Hey, who doesn't love it when Richard snaps Julia's hand in that jewelry box!)

She loves praise & worship music featuring Darlene Zschech of Hillsong Church in the Down Under

Her favorite sports teams are the HG Trojans and the NY Yankees

Any given Saturday, you can find her hanging out with her family, either at the ball park, the gym, or at the house working in her flower beds, grilling out, swimming or just relaxing!

In High School, she was most likely to be hanging out with her friends or cheering at all the games. Now a days, you can find her using that cheerleading voice to cheer on her kids at their ball games!

Her Birthday is May 11th, but we won't tell her age!

 

You can reach Karen at extension #222

 

 

At BBC

Karen has been coming to BBC since she was 2 years old, but joined the staff just this year as our ministry assistant/secretary! She said, "This is the best church! The people are so loving and wonderful, staff and members... there's no mistaking that the Lord is in this place!"

Family
Karen has been married to Steve for 8 years, they have a very blended family. Five kids (Stacy, Chris, Savannah, Trey & Blake), 1 daugter-in-law (Jackie), 3 1/2 grand-kids (Jamarri, Ethan, Braden & in November, AnnaKate), 2 dogs (Missy & Zoe), and 1 goldfish (Blessing).

Ministry
  Karen sings in the Adult Choir, leads the Next Generation Expressive Worship Team and the Multimedia Team. She loves to praise the Lord in song and dance! Graphic design is one of her favorite things too!

Faith
 She was saved at age 14 here at BBC in one of the many youth services she attended. For many years, she didn't think she had a testimony, but as life does, it provided one. If you are divorced, remarried, have step-kids, small children, stay-at-home-mom, and/or back at work after several years, you and Karen have some things in common!

Things you want to know, but we're afraid to ask:

  She loves photography. She says she has a lot to learn, but is doing "pretty good". You can see more of her work and check out her life/photo blog at karenwlong.com.
 
Her Favorite Movies of All Time are Titanic, Pretty Woman, Remember the Titans, Top Gun, Cars, Spiderman 3, Transformers... those are just a few... can you tell she's a momma of boys?!

Her Favorite Musical Groups/Artists are Toby Mac, Kirk Franklin, Eddie James, Casting Crowns, Mandisa, Mercy Me, Third Day, Celine Dion, Karen Wheaton, Chris Tomlin... there are too many to name!! 

  

 

Her Favorite Sports Teams are the Alabama Crimson Tide, the HG Trojans and the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees

Her Favorite Thing to do on a Saturday is hang out at home with her family and take photos! She also like to go shopping every once in a while! 

 

Her Favorite Scripture is Psalm 149: 1-4 because its all about PRAISE!
1 Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song,
       his praise in the assembly of the saints.  2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. 3 Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp. 4 For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.

When is her birthday, did you ask?
June 14th