Corey Townsley
Staff Elder
Corey came on staff as Associate Pastor of Discipleship in December 2017 and became Senior Pastor in January 2019. He is originally from the DeRidder/Dry Creek area and is passionate about teaching and preaching the Bible and making disciples for the glory of God. He graduated from East Beauregard High School in 2010, McNeese State University in 2014, and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2017. Corey is currently pursuing his D.Min. at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married to Gabby, and they have 4 children, Titus, Lydia, Esther, and Eden.
3 fun facts about Corey:
1. He is married to his Jr. High sweetheart.
2. He cannot play any musical instruments.
3. His favorite conversation topics are the Scriptures, theology, and football.
3 fun facts about Corey:
1. He is married to his Jr. High sweetheart.
2. He cannot play any musical instruments.
3. His favorite conversation topics are the Scriptures, theology, and football.
Johnny Ruiz
Staff Elder
Johnny Ruiz came on staff as Associate Pastor of Youth and Family Ministries in December 2024. He is the husband of Anjelle, and the father of Jolie Anne and Jane Evelyn. Johnny graduated from St. Amant High School in 2016, he completed his B.A. at Southeastern Louisiana University in the spring of 2020, his M.Div. at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in the spring of 2024, and is currently a PhD. student at NOBTS. Johnny loves studying the Scriptures, theology, poetry, and the great books of Western literature.
3 fun facts about Johnny:
1. He met his wife, Anjelle, in their high school P.E. class.
2. His favorite book (outside the Bible) is The Temple, by George Herbert.
3. His favorite movie is The Lord of the Rings.
3 fun facts about Johnny:
1. He met his wife, Anjelle, in their high school P.E. class.
2. His favorite book (outside the Bible) is The Temple, by George Herbert.
3. His favorite movie is The Lord of the Rings.
JAmes BArrow
Lay Elder
James is married to Lucy and he has 3 grown daughters and 2 grandkids. He graduated High School at South Beauregard in 1980 and then entered the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at Georgia Air Force Base for 4 years in Victorville, CA. After his military service James was hired by Transcontinental Gas Pipelines/Williams as a Maintenance Man (yard boy). From there James was promoted many times throughout the years and finally retired in 2017 as the Assistant District Manager over District 45.
James the church in January of 1990 and has been a faithful member and Deacon in our church for many years. He has served on 13 international mission trips and numerous disaster relief trips in North America and overseas. James passion is helping the widows and elderly in our congregation. He started and coordinates our Helping Hands Ministry. He serves as a Sunday School teacher and the Elder over Deacons. He currently volunteers with upkeep and maintenance for our church.
3 Fun Facts about James:
1. Has ridden his bike from New York to Houston to raise funds for Charities.
2. Got lost in snowy mountains and survived only because of a bag of Peanut M&M's.
3. Climbed the highest mountain in the contiguous United States (Mt. Whitney @ 14,505').
James the church in January of 1990 and has been a faithful member and Deacon in our church for many years. He has served on 13 international mission trips and numerous disaster relief trips in North America and overseas. James passion is helping the widows and elderly in our congregation. He started and coordinates our Helping Hands Ministry. He serves as a Sunday School teacher and the Elder over Deacons. He currently volunteers with upkeep and maintenance for our church.
3 Fun Facts about James:
1. Has ridden his bike from New York to Houston to raise funds for Charities.
2. Got lost in snowy mountains and survived only because of a bag of Peanut M&M's.
3. Climbed the highest mountain in the contiguous United States (Mt. Whitney @ 14,505').
Andy Buzzard
Lay Elder
Andy is married to Alyssa and has 3 kids, Ellie, Josiah, and Beckett. He has a finance degree from McNeese State University and a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Grace School of Theology.
Andy joined the church in June of 2021. He previously served as a Camp Director. He is currently working with State Farm as an Insurance Adjustor. Andy serves in the church by working with the Sound Team, by Teaching, and as the Chairman of the Finance Committee. He loves fishing, rooting for the Yankees, and learning new skills.
3 Fun Facts about Andy:
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3.
Andy joined the church in June of 2021. He previously served as a Camp Director. He is currently working with State Farm as an Insurance Adjustor. Andy serves in the church by working with the Sound Team, by Teaching, and as the Chairman of the Finance Committee. He loves fishing, rooting for the Yankees, and learning new skills.
3 Fun Facts about Andy:
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3.
David Smith
Lay Elder
He is married to Kasie and they have 5 children, Landon, Carter, Paysn, Audi, and Judson. Two of their children are adopted and they are strong advocates for foster and adoption. David is origianally from Merryville, where he graduated from high school in 1998. He then attended McNeese State University and received a Bachelor's degree in Engineering in 2003. David currently works at Lyondell-Basell as a...
David joined the church in August of 2019. He quickly got involved in the church and soon began serving as a Deacon. David loves hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. David is currently serving at church in Youth Ministry and chaired the 2022 Building Committee for the rebuild after Hurricanes Laura and Delta.
3 Fun Facts About David:
1. Has become Bionic with his Cochlear Implant
2. Has about 100 projects going and not one of them is finished.
3. He has only had one girlfriend and he married her.
David joined the church in August of 2019. He quickly got involved in the church and soon began serving as a Deacon. David loves hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. David is currently serving at church in Youth Ministry and chaired the 2022 Building Committee for the rebuild after Hurricanes Laura and Delta.
3 Fun Facts About David:
1. Has become Bionic with his Cochlear Implant
2. Has about 100 projects going and not one of them is finished.
3. He has only had one girlfriend and he married her.