Mark D. Abernathy has served with N.C. Baptists on Mission (NCBM) since 1994.

He began working with the Baptist state convention as a consultant for children/Royal Ambassadors and as director of Camp Caraway for Boys. Mark now serves as consultant for adult/men’s ministries and partnership missions. His previous experience includes serving as a chaplain, as director of the Kentucky State RA Camp and as a journeyman missionary for the Foreign Mission Board (now the International Mission Board). He has participated in or led mission trips to Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Puerto Rico, India, Kenya, Lesotho and Mozambique.

Mark earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Appalachian State University and his Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Mark and his wife, Kellie, have two children. He enjoys backpacking, photography and sports.

Chad serves as an editor and public relations coordinator with the Marketing and Communications group.

Chad helps write and share news and information about the convention’s ministry and missions efforts. He also serves as the convention’s primary contact for the news media.

Prior to joining the Baptist state convention in November 2014, Chad served in a variety of communications roles in business, higher education, online news, college athletics and daily newspapers.

Chad received his bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a master of arts in ministry leadership from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest.

Chad and his wife, Koren, have one daughter.

Cindy Bartholomew has enjoyed a long career with the Baptist state convention and currently serves as an accounts payable assistant.

She first joined the convention in 2012 following nearly two decades with Alcatel Lucent in Raleigh. Cindy has also been actively involved in leadership with Bible Study Fellowship for many years.

Originally from Tennessee, Cindy and her husband, Don, have lived in Cary since 1983. They are members of First Baptist Church of Cary. They have two children, six grandchildren and two dogs.

Tom Beam has served with North Carolina Baptists On Mission (NCBM) since 1999. His roles have included director of Camp Caraway for Boys, consultant for children/Royal Ambassadors, and consultant for student missions mobilization, which included running the Deep Impact Youth Missions program. Tom currently serves as the disaster relief coordinator as well as the Cuba partnership coordinator.

Prior to joining NCBM, Tom served as a youth minister in Boone, Hickory, Boiling Springs and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Tom earned his bachelor’s degree in recreation program management from Appalachian State University, and his master of divinity in Christian education from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

Tom and his wife, Faithe, reside in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. They have one son.

K Brown serves as the director of photography for N.C. Baptists on Mission (NCBM).

K has worked in the creative area of the Baptist state convention since 1986, producing photographic, video and audio resources for use by the convention staff and Baptist churches throughout the state. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communication arts from Asbury University.

He and his wife, Dana, are members of The Summit Church in Durham.

Seth was named director of the Convention Relations Group in October 2021.

Seth is a graduate of William Carey University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He previously served as editor of North Carolina’s Biblical Recorder.

Seth lives in Wake Forest with his wife, Lauren, and three wonderful kids. They are members of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh. Seth enjoys reading, writing and spending lots of time outdoors.

Richard Brunson has served as executive director-treasurer of N.C. Baptists on Mission (NCBM) since 1992.

Prior to his current role, Richard worked as an associate on the NCBM staff, serving as director of disaster relief, Camp Caraway and Christian High Adventure. He is a graduate of Gardner-Webb College and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Richard is married to Lesley, and they have three grown children.

John Butler was named director of the Operations group in October 2021 after serving as the executive leader for what was formerly known as Business Services. John oversees the day-to-day operations of the state convention and its various facilities, including camps and conference centers.

Before coming to the Baptist state convention, John served as senior pastor of three North Carolina Baptist churches for 17 years, most recently at First Baptist Church of Matthews. As a pastor, he was active in North Carolina Baptist life both at the associational and state levels, including serving as the state convention’s board of directors president for two years. Prior to his calling to vocational ministry, John was an executive in the mortgage banking and financial planning fields.

John earned his bachelor’s degree from Davidson College and master of divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

He and his wife, Kristi, are active members of Lee Park Baptist Church in Monroe. They have four daughters who have blessed them with many grandchildren.

Patti Cardwell serves as a ministry assistant for the Mission Catalysts group. She has been on staff at the Baptist state convention since April 2008.

Patti graduated from the University of Louisville with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance.

She and her husband, Kevin, are members of First Baptist Church in Cary, North Carolina, and participate with the Gideons Auxiliary/Gideons International.

Chelsie began serving with N.C. Baptists on Mission (NCBM) in February 2020.

She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in middle grades education, concentrating in mathematics and science. Chelsie taught sixth grade in Granville County for four years.

Chelsie and her husband live in Creedmoor, North Carolina, and attend Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Creedmoor. They enjoy being outside, and they love to kayak, camp and fish.

Kathryn Carson was named director of the new Marketing and Communications group in October 2021 after leading the work of what was formerly known as the Communication Team. Overall, she has served at the Baptist state convention since 2005.

Kathryn coordinates with staff to create communication strategies that incorporate graphic designs for print, web, video, editorial and other various media. She works closely with graphic designers, writers, web developers and videographers. Kathryn holds a master’s degree in strategic communication from Liberty University.

Dennis Conner serves as a regional mission catalyst with the Baptist state convention.

Prior to joining the state convention in January 2020, Dennis served as a pastor, church planter and church planting catalyst.

In his current role, Dennis and his wife, Cindy, have returned to the area where he first began serving in vocational ministry. Dennis has also served as a North American missionary in Phoenix and Chicago.

His educational journey includes an associate degree in liberal arts from Davidson County Community College, a bachelor’s degree in religion from Chowan University and a master of divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest. He is currently pursuing a doctor of education degree at Southeastern, researching and writing about organizational leadership in the local church.

Dennis is passionate about history, current events, NASCAR, the Chicago Bears and the Chicago White Sox. He also enjoys reading biographies and business books and articles. He writes regularly, loves preaching and reinvests in the growth and maturity of others.

Dennis and Cindy like to explore new places together. Frequently, they are accompanied by their Australian shepherd, Bikkie.

Dayna Cook serves the Convention Relations group as the ministry assistant. She has been on staff at the Baptist state convention since September 2022.

David Cook serves as the video manager with the Marketing and Communications group.After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Cedarville University, David served as a director for small companies, large agencies and ministries. His work has allowed him to travel throughout the United States and internationally, directing an eclectic array of productions.

He has worked with clients ranging from churches and local companies to the National Football League and the Olympic International Committee.

Most recently, David worked as the creative/film director for a film studio in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, leading a team of video professionals to create a variety of promotional advertisements, marketing videos and creative motivational/inspirational ventures. He has won multiple ADDY awards for his work in commercial advertising and continually seeks to challenge himself to make each project better than the last.

David is truly thrilled to see how God will use his passion to create within the ministries of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.

Anita Cotten serves as the financial assistant with N.C. Baptists on Mission (NCBM). She joined the staff in February 2022. Prior to this position, she was employed with American Airlines for 21 years in different customer service and sales departments. She also worked as an assistant for Insight Accounting.

Anita has served in Bible Study Fellowship for many years as a children’s teacher, hostess and currently serves as an administrative leader.

Her favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 30:21: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'”

Penny L. Cozadd serves the Operations group as the executive assistant. She has been on staff at the Baptist state convention since 2005.

Penny has been married to Joseph for more than 30 years. She loves serving the Lord and her favorite Bible verse is Psalm 119:105.

Melanie Crawford joined N.C. Baptists on Mission (NCBM) as the events assistant in August 2019.

Melanie has a background in graphics, websites and photography. She attended Wake Technical Community College and studied graphic design and photography.

A Raleigh native, Melanie now lives in Fuquay-Varina and is an active member of Piney Grove Baptist Church. She serves as a church media assistant, a Sunday School teacher and works with multiple church community gardens.

Melanie has two adult children and three grandchildren.

Hez Cunningham-Bey serves as the statewide African American catalyst for the Mission Catalysts group.

Hez earned his bachelor’s degree from Winston-Salem State University and is currently finishing up his master’s degree at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Hez has a passion for serving God and His church. He has been serving as a full time pastor of King’s Cross Church overseeing member care.

Hez is married to his beautiful wife, Tajua. They have four beautiful children, Amyah, Amir, Asa and Adonijah. Hez enjoys cycling and is on a journey to becoming an avid golfer.

Julie joined the Accounting Team as an accounts receivable assistant in July 2021 after previously serving with N.C. Baptists on Mission (NCBM) since July 2018.

Previously, Julie worked for 18 years in the medical imaging field as a radiologic technologist.

Julie and her husband, Jamie, attend Clearview Baptist Church in Henderson.

Lester Evans serves as the associational partnerships catalyst for western North Carolina with the Mission Catalysts group.

Before joining the Baptist state convention, Lester served as a pastor in five Baptist churches in North Carolina. For 13 years he served as the associational mission strategist for the Macon Baptist Association. He has also participated in mission and ministry projects from the local to international levels, worked with local community action agencies to address pressing needs, and served as a coach and consultant for various ministry needs.

Lester became a Christian in 1971 and received God’s call into ministry in early 1972. He received degrees from Mars Hill University, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Lester is married to Judy, and they live in Otto, North Carolina, in Macon County where they both grew up. Lester and Judy have two daughters.

Tracey began serving with N.C. Baptists on Mission (NCBM) in September 2018. Prior to joining the staff, she volunteered with NCBM for several years.

Tracey has a degree in electrical engineering from N.C. Agricultural and Technical State University and a master’s in education from the University of North Carolina.

Tracey lives in Greensboro with her husband, Sherman. They have two adult children and are members of Good News Baptist Church.

Joyce Furman is originally from Binghamton, N.Y. She and her husband, Doug, moved to the Triangle in 2000 to be closer to their three children, their children’s spouses and their six grandchildren.

Joyce serves as a front desk receptionist with the Baptist state convention and loves greeting all the guests who come to the Baptist building.

Joyce has previously worked for Trans World Radio, Central Baptist Christian Academy and a couple of local churches.

The Furmans live in Fuquay-Varina and are members of Macedonia Baptist Church in Holly Springs.

Ralph Garay serves as the international church planting strategist for the Ministry Strategies group. He has been on staff at the Baptist state convention since September 2006.

Ralph is originally from the Philippines and immigrated with his wife, Anna Lyn, to the United States in June 1995.

Ralph’s mission in life is to develop an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ every day, to grow in his capacity to love his wife and his two sons, and to lead and develop his family in serving God. He desires to bring people to Jesus Christ, connect them in His family, disciple them to Christ-like maturity, and equip them for their ministry in the church and in their life mission in order to honor God.

Ralph lives to be an encouragement to other pastors and church leaders through coaching, training and resourcing in order to help them fulfill their God-given purposes. He wants to help church planters plant new churches that will advance the gospel to reach every nation in our generation.

Ralph received his bachelor’s degree in theology at Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary in Baquio City, Philippines, in 1987. He then pastored a Filipino-American church in San Diego for 11 years.

John Gordy serves as a regional mission catalyst with the Baptist state convention.

John previously served with the state convention from 2016-2019 as a strategy coordinator. John and his wife, Pat, have served with the International Mission Board for 38 years, in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. His most recent assignment was mission globalizer for the southern cluster of the Sub-Saharan Africa Affinity in Johannesburg, South Africa.

John earned a bachelor’s degree from Samford University, a master of divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a doctor of ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctorate from Northwest University in Potchefstroom, South Africa. Pat is a licensed RN and has a master’s degree in biblical counseling.

John and Pat have three children and 10 grandchildren living in Texas, South Carolina and Kenya.

Whitney serves as the creative manager with the Marketing and Communications group.

She has been on staff at the Baptist state convention in a variety of capacities since 2011, which include serving as senior graphic designer and as a freelance designer. Whitney earned her degree in graphic design from Meredith College in 2008.

Whitney lives with her husband and two children in Cary. When she isn’t running after her energetic kids, Whitney’s family serves Forest Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh together and enjoys hosting friends and neighbors in their home.

Stephen (Steve) Harris serves as a regional mission catalyst with the Baptist state convention.

Before joining the state convention, Steve served as founding pastor of New Life Community Church in Asheville for 16 years. Steve has led church planting movements in the Buncombe Baptist Association, nationally and internationally as a strategy coordinator with the International Mission Board, including starting churches with the Quechua Indians in the Andes mountains of Peru. Steve has also served as associate pastor at Bent Creek Baptist Church in Asheville, North Carolina, and Fellowship in the Pass in Beaumont, California; and as pastor of Parkview Baptist Church in Morehead City, North Carolina.

Steve received his bachelor of science in business management from Western Carolina University, master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and his doctor of ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.

Steve and his wife, Ann, have three children and five grandchildren.

Steve’s life verse is the Great Commandment, and his passionate focus is simply loving God and loving people. He enjoys backpacking (having hiked the Appalachian Trail), trout fishing and golf.

Samuel Heard serves as an editor and content coordinator for the Marketing and Communications group. He has been on staff at the Baptist state convention since June 2022.

Samuel spent most of his childhood in Central Asia before moving to Greenville, South Carolina for his bachelor’s degree. In 2019, he graduated with an interdisciplinary degree in English and Christian Studies from North Greenville University. Since then, he worked overseas as a researcher and a travel writer and also spent some time working as an employment specialist with a refugee agency.

Samuel and his wife, Brittany, have one son. They live in Wake Forest, where Samuel is currently pursuing his master’s degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Crystal Horton serves as the health screening coordinator with N.C. Baptists on Mission (NCBM). She is responsible for the promotion and scheduling of health screening clinics, development of training materials, collegiate health care partnerships, Medical Reserve Corps, and Haiti medical teams.

Crystal is a registered nurse by trade, having received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master’s degree in health administration from Pfeiffer University. Prior to joining the NCBM staff in 2015, she worked as a perioperative nurse and in oncology clinical trials research.

Crystal attends Clearview Church in Henderson.

Alex Hugo serves as a college ministry strategist with the Ministry Strategies group. She has been on staff at the Baptist state convention since November 2016.

Alex grew up in Burlington, North Carolina, and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2015 with a degree in studio art. Afterward, she spent a year doing ministry in South Asia.

Alex and her husband, Chris, live in Raleigh, where they attend The Summit Church. In her free time, Alex enjoys relaxing in coffee shops and traveling.

Jay Humphrey serves as facilities manager for the Operations group.

At a young age, Jay began working on his parents’ pig farm in Burgaw. After graduating from North Carolina State University, he returned home to manage the family business for a number of years and eventually started his own pig farm.

Jay felt called to pursue theological education in 2004 and graduated from the College at Southeastern three years later with a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies. His past ministry experience includes serving as youth director for Burgaw Baptist Church and youth pastor for Mission Baptist Church.

Prior to working for the Baptist state convention, Jay worked eight years for Lowe’s Home Improvement. Then in 2014, he helped launch Back Alley Coffee Roasters in Wake Forest, where he participated in facility renovation for the startup, in addition to taking on the roles of coffee production manager and sales representative.

Jay currently serves as a deacon and leads a discipleship group at Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, where he and his wife, Kim, are members. They have two children and seven grandchildren.

Molly Jakat serves as a ministry assistant with the Ministry Strategies group.

Molly grew up in Wake Forest, N.C. She graduated from Liberty University in December 2020 with a degree in public health. Previously, she served in children’s and special needs ministries at church. While in college, she interned with the college ministry at the church she attended.

Over the last few years Molly has gained business, administrative and customer service experience working as a project manager as well as multiple roles within an accounting office.

Molly and her husband love Jesus and live in order to know Christ and to make Him known.

Merrie Allen Johnson serves as the student ministries strategist for the Ministry Strategies group. She has been on staff at the Baptist state convention since 2001.

Merrie’s duties include the eight weeks of Caswell Youth Camps, continuing education retreats for youth ministers and youth workers, and fall retreats at Caswell. She also leads youth worker training events across North Carolina.

Merrie has been in youth ministry for more than three decades. She has written numerous articles over the years for the Baptist Sunday School Board and LifeWay in the areas of youth discipleship, missions and youth ministry programming, including the Single Purpose articles for LifeWay’s Living with Teenagers magazine. Merrie has written dramas and entire worship services for Student Day at Christmas. Her first published piece was a youth musical titled, “Timothy: Discovering God’s Will,” which she co-authored with Stan Pethel while in college.

Merrie’s desire is for students to realize that God is working all around them and they need to be on the hunt to find Him and give Him the glory and praise. Merrie says you need to do the “God Hunt Dance” when you realize it is His working in your life. She has amazing personal stories of how God has been leading her for years on this wonderful adventure of discovering His power and strength. She is excited about her relationship with Christ and it shows!

Merrie earned her doctorate of education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2013. She is the proud mother of two grown boys, and lives in Garner, North Carolina. “Go God!”

Glenda Jones has served at the Baptist state convention as hospitality/utility clerk since June 2001. Previously, she worked with Glenaire Retirement Home for eight years.

Glenda has lived in Fuquay-Varina for more than two decades. She is married, and has six children and three grandchildren.

John D. Jones has served in a variety of roles at the Baptist state convention, including as the director of language missions, Hispanic church planter and currently as the information technology (IT) manager.

John graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a degree in education, and from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary with a master of divinity. He has pastored churches in Mocksville, North Carolina; Kernersville, North Carolina; Raleigh, North Carolina; and New Orleans, Louisiana. He has also helped start over 100 churches during his time with the state convention.

John grew up on the mission field in Ecuador, South America, with his parents, who were with the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (now known as the International Mission Board). Consequently, his native tongue is Spanish.

John and his wife, Patricia, have two daughters. John enjoys teaching Sunday School at New Hope Baptist Church in Raleigh. His hobbies include technology and motorcycles.

Teresa Jones serves with N.C. Baptists on Mission (BOM) as the Financial Administrator.

Teresa participates in, leads and coordinates logistics for North Carolina teams working in Central and Eastern Europe with Hungarian-speaking Roma (gypsies). In addition, she plans and develops curriculum for the English Bible Camps hosted by N.C. Baptist teams in the Hungarian public schools operated by Hungarian Baptist Aid. Teresa has the opportunity to work with her daughter, Alicia, who lives in Hungary and serves as a missionary and BOM on-site coordinator.

Teresa has a bachelor’s degree from Mars Hill University. Prior to working for BOM, Teresa served in the Baptist state convention’s Office of Administration as the board secretary.

Teresa and her husband, Archie, enjoy hosting and ministering to international students from North Carolina State University. They host a weekly dinner and Bible study in their home for international students interested in learning more about God and His Word.

Sammy Joo serves as the statewide Asian catalyst for the Mission Catalyst group. He has been on staff at the Baptist state convention since 2007.

Sammy is a graduate of Handong Global University in Pohang, South Korea; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky; and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

Previously, Sammy served Korean churches in South Korea and multiethnic churches in the United States as a worship leader, youth pastor and college pastor. He also served in international student ministry in the Triangle area and on the convention’s Collegiate Partnership Team from 2007-2016.

Sammy’s desire is to equip next generation leaders among Asian communities and connect Asian American churches to fulfill the Great Commission.

Sammy and his wife, Debbie, have four children. Sammy loves to play guitar.

Angela became the board of directors’ secretary in January 2020 after a year of serving as an assistant to the board secretary.

Angela’s husband, Pat, serves as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Cary. The Kilbys also enjoyed ministries in Oklahoma and Georgia.

Angela has filled the role of children’s director in two churches and has also served in women’s ministry and worship ministry. She is the former owner of a medical transcription service and currently is a licensed real estate broker.

Pat and Angela are the proud parents of four children and make their home in Holly Springs.

Kenny Lamm serves as the worship ministries strategist with the Ministry Strategies group.

Previously, he served 23 years as worship pastor of Front Street Baptist Church in Statesville, North Carolina. Under his leadership, the church experienced worship renewal and became a model for many churches seeking to transform and improve their worship services.

Kenny is a frequent worship clinician and guest worship leader. His heart for the nations has also taken him to international fields of service. He has led worship conferences and outreach events with North Carolina Baptist worship teams throughout Malaysia, Singapore and two other Asian countries. Kenny also spent a summer in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, working with churches in worship renewal. Resources developed for these events continue to be used extensively in equipping worship leaders in churches around the world and are currently published in English and Chinese.

Kenny received his bachelor’s degree in music from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also earned a master’s degree in church music from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he was a Rice-Judson Scholar and completed doctoral-level classes in worship to receive the advanced graduate certificate in worship studies from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois.

Kenny and his wife, Sandy, have two grown children. The family lives in Sanford, North Carolina.

Paul Langston is the missions mobilization consultant with N.C. Baptists on Mission (NCBM).

Prior to his current position, Paul served as the associational mission strategist for the Eastern Baptist Association, pastor of three churches in the Carolinas and as a missionary with the International Mission Board in Sardinia, Italy.

Paul has a degree in chemical engineering from Clemson University, a master of divinity with languages from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctor of ministry from Andersonville Theological Seminary.

Paul has led mission teams to New Mexico, Montana, Idaho, New York, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Honduras, El Salvador, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. He has also been involved in disaster relief through NCBM and when he was a pastor in South Carolina.

Paul’s passion is to help churches and associations involve every member in using their God-given gifts in missions. He loves seeing the joy that comes when a person surrenders their gifts, talents and time to God. One of his greatest joys is seeing the renewal and revitalization that come in an individual’s life and in the life of a church when people use their gifts to make an eternal impact through missions involvement. He believes that even the simplest gift, when placed in the Master’s hands, can produce exponential results, and that missions involvement is critical to the life of a church.

Antoine Lassiter serves as a church planting strategist with the Ministry Strategies group, coaching and training church planters in North Carolina.

He and his wife, Latonia, are the proud parents of two boys, Justin and Christopher.

Antoine’s favorite passage of Scripture is Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added.” Simply put, Antoine desires to “live out the kingdom” in every aspect of his life.

Terry Long serves as the church health and revitalization strategist with the Ministry Strategies group. He has been on staff at the Baptist state convention since April 2020.

Originally from Oklahoma, Terry received Christ as Lord and Savior at age 9 during Vacation Bible School. He received a call to ministry during his sophomore year in college.

Prior to joining the state convention, Terry served as senior pastor of West Burnsville Baptist Church. During his two decades in vocational ministry, he has also served as a pastor of children, students and education.

Terry holds a doctorate of ministry in church revitalization and a master’s degree in theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Terry is married to Joyce, and they have five children. The Longs enjoy playing outside, hiking, kayaking and anything that gets the kids’ energy out.

Gabe Magan serves the Convention Relations group as the executive assistant. He has been on staff at the Baptist state convention since November 2021.

Gabe was born and raised in Ohio and has a bachelor’s degree in theology and apologetics from Liberty University. He is currently working toward graduate degrees from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Cedarville University.

Gabe and his wife, Hannah, live in Wake Forest and are members of The Summit Church. He enjoys reading good books, drinking great coffee and being mediocre at golf.

Kecia Mariotti has served with Baptist state convention ministries since 1996. She currently serves as accounting services manager with the Operations group. Previously, Kecia served with N.C. Baptists on Mission (NCBM) as a financial and missions partnership assistant.

Eric Mullis serves as a regional mission catalyst with the Baptist state convention.

Prior to joining the state convention, Eric served for 15 years with the International Mission Board. Most recently, he lived in Bangkok, Thailand, where he served as a church planter and team leader for the Bangkok city team. Prior to moving to Bangkok, Eric lived in Hat Yai, Thailand, where he worked as the team leader/strategy coordinator for the southern Thailand region.

Eric holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a master of divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a master’s degree in intercultural studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in applied theology (missiology) from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Eric grew up in Concord, N.C. Prior to vocational ministry, Eric lived in Charlotte, where he worked in real estate. He and his wife, Tricia, have three children. In his free time, Eric enjoys reading, spending time with family, traveling, watching Carolina Panthers football and hiking in the North Carolina mountains.

Barry Murry serves a regional mission catalyst with the Baptist state convention.

Prior to joining the state convention in January 2022, Barry served the Lord for 21 years as a pastor, church planter and church planting catalyst in Maine and North Carolina.

Barry graduated from Guilford College in Greensboro with a bachelor’s degree in business management and later earned a master of divinity in North American church planting from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Barry and his wife, Missy, have four children and are returning to eastern North Carolina where Barry grew up.

Hannah Nelson serves as the executive assistant to the executive director-treasurer of the Baptist state convention.

Hannah is a native of Leesburg, Virginia. She graduated from Liberty University with a bachelor’s degree in music and worship ministries and a master’s degree in human services counseling.

Hannah is a member of Providence Baptist Church and enjoys serving on the worship team with her husband. You may also find them hiking, camping, or exploring local parks with their dog, Ridge.

Dollie Noa joined the staff of N.C. Baptists on Mission (NCBM) in October 2017 as senior consultant for children and family missions mobilization.

Previously, Dollie served for seven years as director of education and children at Alexis Baptist Church, and for 10 years as minister of youth and children at First Baptist Church of Spring Lake, North Carolina. Dollie has also served with NCBM in the past as a member of the board of directors and in youth and children mobilization.

Dollie received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Methodist College, a master’s degree in Christian education from the Campbell University Divinity School, and a master’s degree in human services counseling with a focus on marriage and family from Liberty University.
Dollie has two daughters and four granddaughters.

Ethan Nunn serves as the Ministry Assistant for the College Ministry and the Worship & Music Ministry with the Ministry Strategies Group. He has been on staff with NC Baptists since August 2018.

A native of Raeford, North Carolina, Ethan graduated from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. He previously served with NC Baptists as a summer staff member with Deep Impact, a ministry of N.C. Baptists on Mission (NCBM), and BeDoTell, the state convention’s youth evangelism and discipleship ministry.

Ethan and his wife, Hannah, live in Knightdale and attend BridgePoint Church, where they both serve on the worship team. In their free time, they enjoy exploring the Raleigh-Durham area, going to see live music any chance they get, playing tennis, and hanging out with friends & family.

William Ortega serves as the Hispanic church planting strategist with the Ministry Strategies group. He has been on staff with the Baptist state convention since June 2013.

William’s primary responsibility is to provide field service and consultation for associations and church leaders in the area of church planting among Hispanics, developing a strategy to ensure that all Hispanic people are being targeted and engaged through different church planting efforts across the state. He also assists in planning and conducting training events and conferences for church planters and church leaders.

William was born in Costa Rica. Before joining the state convention, William served as a career missionary and mega-city strategist in Mexico City with the International Mission Board for 14 years. William also previously pastored and planted churches in North Carolina for more than a decade while working on prioritizing church planting opportunities with the North American Mission Board in the Utah-Idaho Southern Baptist Convention area.

William is a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Orpha, have two daughters.

Ji Ae Park serves as the information technology (IT) manager assistant for the Operations group.

Ji Ae Park graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in computer science, and from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with a master of divinity in Christian education.

In February 2019, she and her husband, Seongho (Paul), planted a Korean Baptist church named Yeollin Baptist Church, in Morrisville, N.C.

Ji Ae and Seongho have two daughters.

Savannah Parks serves as a ministry assistant for the Mission Catalysts group. She has been with the Baptist state convention since June 2016 with some time off to be with her newborn daughter.

Savannah and her husband, Andrew, currently reside in Asheboro with their daughter, Vivienne. Savannah spends the majority of her days chasing a toddler and enjoying time with her family and friends.

Michael (Mike) Parry has served with the Baptist state convention since July 2017.

Mike became the Human Resources coordinator in July 2021 after previously serving in accounting and as assistant facilities manager.

A native of Gainesville, Florida, Mike has lived in the Raleigh area since August 2006.

Katie Pegram serves as a ministry assistant for the Ministry Strategies group. She has been on staff at the Baptist state convention since November 2019.

Katie grew up in Greenville, North Carolina, and graduated from Flagler College in 2013 with a degree in sport management and youth ministry. After college, Katie spent time in Canada, Texas and North Carolina working at Christian camps.

Katie and her husband, David, live in Fuquay-Varina and enjoy spending time wakeboarding, watching college football and serving others in their community.

Mike Pittman serves as the SendNC Director for the Ministry Strategies group. He has been on staff at the Baptist state convention in February 2019.

Brandon Powell began serving as the student mobilization consultant with N.C. Baptists on Mission (NCBM) in December 2022.

Prior to joining NCBM, Brandon served North Carolina Baptist churches for 20 years as a student pastor, discipleship pastor, executive pastor and senior pastor. He has led local, national and international mission trips for students and adults through the local church, NCBM and North American Mission Board partnerships. Brandon also served NCBM on the executive board, student missions mobilization committee, as a disaster relief volunteer, and as a site coordinator and speaker for state, national and international NCBM Deep Impact student mission camps.

Brandon holds a Doctor of Ministry in leadership and a master’s in Christian education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Science in business administration from East Carolina University.

Joey Prince serves the Marketing and Communications group as the executive assistant.

He is a native of Duncan, North Carolina, a small community located a few miles west of Fuquay-Varina.

Joey graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in computer science, and he worked for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services in the information technology (IT) field for more than 30 years.

Following his retirement from state government, Joey began working for the Baptist state convention in February 2018.

Joey and his wife, Wendy, reside in Duncan and are members of Macedonia Baptist Church. They have three grown children.

Austin Pulliam serves the Ministry Strategies group as the executive assistant. She has been on staff at the Baptist state convention since April 2010.

A native of Cary, North Carolina, Austin graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She is a member of Apex Baptist Church and enjoys serving on the first impressions team.

Anna Rambeaut serves as a ministry assistant with the Ministry Strategies group.

Anna grew up in Angier, North Carolina. She previously served with the Baptist state convention as a summer staff member with BeDoTell, the state convention’s youth evangelism and discipleship ministry.

Anna and her husband, Blake, live in Holly Springs and attend The Summit Church, where she serves on the worship team. In her free time, she enjoys shooting wedding photography, being outdoors and spending time with friends and family.

Ron Rasberry has been serving North Carolina Baptists since 1994. He began as an information technology (IT) manager working to develop and improve the convention’s servers and computer networks and to support end-user computer systems. Today, he is focused on the convention’s servers and networks across multiple facilities; communications systems, such as phones and email; and security systems protecting both the physical building as well as network and computer systems.

Before coming to the Baptist state convention, Ron earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and worked as a programmer for a small programming company. Later, he worked for IBM before moving into network management in the banking industry.
Ron enjoys serving alongside North Carolina Baptists. He also enjoys spending time with his family, including his wife, Belva Jane, and their three children.

Ron currently serves as an elder at Good Hope Baptist Church in Cary, North Carolina, where he and his family are members.

Russ Reaves serves as a regional mission catalyst with the Baptist state convention.

Previously, Russ served as pastor of Conowingo Baptist Church in Conowingo, Maryland; Hillcrest Baptist Church in Kernersville, North Carolina; and Immanuel Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina. He has taught a wide variety of courses in biblical, theological and pastoral subjects in several colleges and educational programs.

Russ is a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and a graduate of Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute, Lancaster Bible College and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Russ holds a master of divinity degree with a dual concentration in Christian apologetics and biblical languages.

Russ and his wife, Donia, and their two children, reside in Greensboro. In his spare time, Russ enjoys spending time with his family, reading, traveling and running.

Lai Salmonson has been serving as webmaster of the Baptist state convention since December 2011. His prior experience includes operating a local computer troubleshooters franchise and working as an information technology specialist and webmaster for a franchise development company. He also worked as an IT support specialist for Nortel Networks.

Lai has an associate’s degree in electronics engineering technology from Fayetteville Technical Community College and a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University. His church activities include serving as a deacon and Raleigh Marketplace Ministry outreach leader. He has a lovely wife, Paula, and two girls, Jeslyn and Jozie.

Lai’s primary goal is to glorify God with excellent websites, training and support.

Amaury Santos serves as the statewide Hispanic catalyst for the Mission Catalyst group.

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Amaury received Jesus as Lord and Savior at the age of 14 through the witness of a Christian friend. He became the first evangelical believer in a mostly Catholic family.

By age 16, Amaury felt the consuming desire to teach God’s Word. Amaury has served in ministry in a variety of capacities, including pastor and church planter in the Dominican Republic and the United States.

Amaury served as a language church planting missionary with the Florida Baptist Convention in partnership with the North American Mission Board.

Amaury has a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering from the Dominican Republic, a master’s degree in theological studies from Liberty University, and a doctor of education degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He lives in North Carolina with his wife, Virginia, and his three sons.

Lynn Sasser serves as the Special Advisor to the Executive Director-Treasurer.

Lynn first joined the state convention in July 1999. He served as a consultant on the Church Planting team, team leader for Associational Partnerships and executive leader for the former Congregational Services group prior to becoming executive leader of the Evangelism and Discipleship group in 2004. Lynn retired from the state convention in 2020 but has remained active in serving North Carolina Baptists.

A native of North Carolina, Lynn served as a local church pastor for 20 years, followed by three years as an associational mission strategist before coming to the convention.

Lynn has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from James Madison University, and both master of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He and his wife, Deborah, have three children and two grandchildren.

Tami moved to North Carolina from Connecticut in 2011 with her husband and son. She has a love for people and finds her role as front desk receptionist at the Baptist state convention to be a real blessing.

Tami and her husband, Ray, are members of Macedonia Baptist Church, where she enjoys serving with Operation Christmas Child, the food pantry, the missions team and Caring Hands ministry. She is very passionate about Caring Hands, an outreach to cancer patients to bring them the love and comfort of Christ.

Russell Schwab serves as the system administrator with the Operations group. He has been on staff at the Baptist state convention since 1995.

Russell oversees the Southern Baptist Convention Workspace, which is the data collection and reporting tool for all North Carolina Baptist churches; end user staff support on all software and hardware needs; server and network support; and the purchasing of various technology equipment.

Russell is a graduate of Wake Technical Community College, City College of Chicago and the University of Maryland. He is a member of Northwest Community in Cary.

Gabrielle Seel serves as a ministry assistant with the Ministry Strategies group. She has been on staff at the Baptist state convention since March 2023.

Gabrielle was born and raised in Oxford, North Carolina. She graduated from North Carolina State University in 2018, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in social work with a minor in nonprofit studies.

Gabrielle has worked at various Christian nonprofits around the triangle area and was previously an intern for the college ministry at Providence Baptist Church. For the past few years, she has worked as a full time nanny.

Gabrielle currently lives in Raleigh with her husband, Matt, and their sweet, snuggly rescue pup named Gibby.

Caleb serves as a graphic designer with the Marketing and Communications group. He has been on staff at the Baptist state convention since May 2021.

Caleb was born and raised as a missionary kid in Indonesia. He graduated from Mississippi College in 2020 with a degree in graphic design. 

Caleb serves on the worship team at North Wake Church. In his free time, he enjoys photography and playing drums.

Shannon Simons serves as the payroll coordinator with the Operations group. She has been on staff at the Baptist state convention since April 2016, following 12 years of experience in retail and hospitality management.

Shannon graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and a minor in business management. She later earned her Master’s of Business Administration from the UNC Pembroke. She also worked as a contractor with the convention from 2009-2010 in the area of collegiate scholarships.

Shannon’s hobbies are Clemson football/Duke basketball, reading, all things Disney and being a member of First Baptist Church Wilson.

Roy Smith serves as the associational partnerships catalyst for eastern North Carolina with the Mission Catalysts group. Prior to joining the Baptist state convention, Roy served as an associational mission strategist in a number of associations during his ministry.

He and his wife, Shirley, also served as partnership coordinators with the International Mission Board in southern Africa. During their tenure, they welcomed and worked with more than 2,000 short-term missions volunteers in South Africa, Lesotho and Sawziland and saw the number of Baptist churches in the Baptist Union of South Africa double.

Roy earned his bachelor’s degree from Clemson University and worked in industry for 17 years. After being called to ministry, he earned a master of divinity in Christian education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Roy and Shirley have been married for more than 50 years. They have three grown children and two granddaughters.

Mike is the Great Commission Catalyst for Regions 5 & 7 of the Mission Catalysts Group.

Mike is a native of Colfax, North Carolina. He surrendered his life to Christ during a week of RA camp at Caraway and later answered a call to ministry during a youth week at Caswell.

Mike has served as a youth pastor in Greensboro, senior pastor of Hope Mills First Baptist Church and Buies Creek First Baptist Church and previously as a consultant with the Baptist state convention. Mike is also a veteran of the United States Coast Guard where he served as a search and rescue crew member on HH60 helicopters.

Mike and his wife, Sara, were married in her hometown of Kodiak, Alaska. They have two adult sons.

Daniel Spivey serves as the media manager for the Marketing and Communications group. Daniel has been on staff at the Baptist state convention since February 2022.

Daniel is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a degree in parks, recreation and tourism management and is currently pursuing a master of divinity in christian ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Daniel previously served in marketing and advertisement in municipal agencies as well as youth pastor at his home church in Bear Creek, North Carolina.

Daniel and his wife, Brooks, live in Pittsboro and attend The Summit Church. Daniel enjoys spending time with his family, being involved in his community and exploring the outdoors. He is excited to support North Carolina Baptists through media marketing and communications to see the gospel message shared.

Kimberly Stauffacher serves as the accounting assistant for the Operations group. She joined the Baptist state convention in July 2017, following 10 years of experience in the banking industry.

A native North Carolinian, Kimberly received her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finances from UNC-Wilmington. She later earned her master’s degree in ministry leadership from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest.

Kimberly’s passions are singing, building disciples and serving the local church.

Liz Tablazon serves as the communications strategist for the Marketing and Communications group. She has been on staff at the Baptist state convention since November 2021.

Liz received a master’s degree in communication from Purdue University in August 2022. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2015 with a journalism degree. She previously served as assistant editor of the Biblical Recorder.

Liz is a member of King’s Cross Church in Raleigh and enjoys traveling, reading and live music.

Bethany Taylor serves as an accounts payable assistant for the Operations group, after beginning with the Baptist state convention as an accounting assistant in October 2022.

Prior to joining the convention, Bethany was a stay-at-home mom for five years. She has also worked part-time in her home church as their first children’s minister to help grow the ministry to children and families. Native to North Carolina, Bethany grew up in Fuquay-Varina and still lives in that area. She has a bachelor’s degree from North Greenville University in Greenville, S.C.

Bethany and her husband, Jeremy, have three children and enjoy spending time together exploring the world God made. They continue to be active in her home church of Piney Grove Baptist Church.

Amy Torcasso serves as a ministry assistant with the Ministry Strategies group.

During her time at the Baptist state convention, Amy has provided support to the former church planting team and helped coordinate promotional efforts for the Cooperative Program and the North Carolina Missions Offering.

Amy earned a degree in visual communications from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. She is a member of Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh. Her heart is connected to those who work with Life Romania and share the Good News with the youth in that country.

Amy and her husband, Mike, have three children and are also blessed with four grandchildren.

Brian Upshaw has served in a variety of leadership positions since joining the state convention in October 2008.

Brian was named director of the Ministry Strategies group in October 2021. He also serves as the state convention’s associate executive director-treasurer.

During his tenure, Brian served a stint as the convention’s interim executive director-treasurer, and at different times he led the work of the Evangelism and Discipleship group, the Disciple-Making team, the Church Health and Revitalization team, and the former Church Ministry team. Brian also coordinates the annual N.C. Baptist Disciple-Making Conference.

Prior to joining the state convention, Brian served local churches in Mississippi, Louisiana and Georgia. From 2000 to 2008, he served at First Baptist Church of Gulfport, Mississippi, where he ascended to the office of senior associate pastor. He has also served in various youth ministry and education roles in local churches.

Brian has also led or participated in several short-term mission trips. In addition, he has trained pastors and church leaders in East Asia, the Philippines, Moldova and Argentina.

A native of Marietta, Georgia, Brian earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia. He taught music and was a middle school band director for several years before answering a call to vocational ministry.

Brian went on to earn his master of divinity, master of theology and doctor of philosophy degrees from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, where he teaches graduate-level courses in leadership and disciple-making.

Brian and his wife, Brandie, have two grown children.

Krissy Watson has a love for dentistry and missions as she serves as the dental ministry coordinator for N.C. Baptists on Mission (NCBM). She is responsible for the promotion and scheduling of two mobile dental units that have weekly clinics throughout the state, development of training materials for dental hosts and drivers, and is responsible for dental partnerships with churches and other organizations to help provide for those in need.

Prior to this position, Krissy worked in dentistry as a certified dental assistant for over 18 years. She has been on many medical/dental-related mission trips to Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua over the years. She has an associate’s degree in health science/dental assisting from Florence Darlington Technical College and a bachelor’s in Christian studies from Anderson University.

Krissy serves as a helpmate and pastor’s wife alongside her husband, Brandon, at Bethlehem Baptist Church, and they have one daughter.

Andy Williams serves as the missions giving strategist with the Convention Relations group. He has served with N.C. Baptists since May 2022.

Andy has a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Iowa. He has nearly two decades of business and marketing experience, ranging from a Fortune 100 company to an international start-up. He is passionate about encouraging marketplace professionals in their kingdom impact.

Andy’s family lives in Wake Forest and is active at North Wake Church. Andy enjoys amateur photography and water sports, such as swimming and body surfing.