Tyler Brown, Senior Pastor Tyler is an Atlanta native who grew up in Lawrenceville, Georgia. His wife Shelbie is from Brandon, Florida.
Not growing up in the church, Tyler gave his life to Jesus Christ in high school and soon accepted God's call to serve in the ministry. Tyler met his wife Shelbie at Samford University, in Birmingham, AL. Directly after graduation, Tyler served in Botswana, Africa for two years as a missionary with the International Mission Board and Shelbie served a year as a missionary nurse in Tanzania, Africa.
Following their separate times of service in Africa, Tyler and Shelbie married and moved to Southwestern Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas in 1999. Tyler has preached at numerous camps, conferences, and churches throughout his ministry. Following seminary the Browns moved to Atlanta, GA to serve on staff at First Baptist Church Atlanta. They were blessed with two sons, Evan Thomas Brown in 2003 and Corey in 2005.
Anytime you hear Tyler preach, a central theme is found, "We were created by God and for God. We will never realize the great potential of our lives apart from God. We will never experience the life God desires for us, if we don't have passion for the One who gives life."
Life Verse "I have told you these things, so that in me you might have peace. In this world you will face trouble but take heart I have overcome the world." John 16:33
James Carroll, Teaching Pastor James grew up in a pastor's home in rural Kentucky. He and his wife, Mikila, married in 1998 and moved from Kentucky to the Atlanta area in June 2003.
At age five, James prayed to receive Christ and realized God's call to ministry while in high school. A graduate of Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, he came to WestHills from First Baptist Church of Atlanta. James and Mikila have a daughter, Kenna, and a son, Jake.
His heart for ministry centers on a desire to see God change lives, "He has and continues to change my life everyday. Mikila and I long to see others know Christ and experience life change through a relationship with Him."
Life Verse "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33
Robby Hurd, Worship Pastor Robby grew up 2 miles from Disney World in Orlando, Florida. His wife Wendy grew up in Crowley, Texas just south of Fort Worth. Robby and Wendy were married in 2004 and moved from Texas to the Atlanta area in February 2005.
At age 7 Robby prayed to receive Christ and realized God's call to ministry while on a Middle School mission trip to New Orleans. A graduate of Belmont University in Nashville, TN and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX, he comes to WestHills from Travis Avenue Baptist Church of Fort Worth. Robby's primary ministry focus is Worship Discipleship. Robby and Wendy are blessed with a daughter, Laney.
His heart for ministry centers on a desire to see non-believers trust Christ and believers grow in their adoration and obedience to Christ because they have come to trust Who God is and all He has done and promises to do. He wants to remind the church that "... (God) rewards those who earnestly seek Him" and that God Himself is their "great reward".
Life Verse "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6
Jimmy Marr, Children's Pastor Jimmy grew up in Douglasville, Georgia where he met his wife Nikki in high school. They were married in 1994 and 3 years later God blessed them with their first child. God continued to bless them over the next 10 years with 4 more children. Marissa, Major, Miranda, Mikayla and Roman...they keep Jimmy and Nikki very busy and very thankful!
During college, Jimmy surrendered his life to Christ and has been a God follower ever since. Jimmy graduated from Southern Tech with a bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering. After he and Nikki were married they moved to Kentucky so Jimmy could attend Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He graduated with a Masters of Divinity with an emphasis on Missions.
After graduating from Southern Seminary, God called their family to serve in the children's ministry at a church in Madison, Indiana. After 1 year there, God called them back to Douglasville to help a church begin a pre-teen ministry. Two years later, God moved their family to Las Vegas, Nevada to help plant a church. Their family stayed in Las Vegas for 3 years. In November of 2007, God again moved the Marr family; this time back home to Douglasville and WestHills Church.
Jimmy truly has a heart for children and desires to see them understand what it means to have a personal relationship with Christ.
Life Verse "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
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