Rev. Jeffery Hicks
Lead Pastor
Rev. Jeffery Hicks is a South Carolina native and attended the Beacon Institute of Ministry. He has been in ministry for 21 years, with 16 years being full time. He has traveled to 23 states sharing the love of Jesus and the life changing power of the Holy Ghost. The Lord has used him in youth camps, camp-meetings, tent revivals, radio broadcasts, television, and numerous other ways to spread His word to His people. Jeffery and his wife, Cayla, have been married for 15 years. They have two children, 11 year old son, Jonah, and 5 year old daughter, Charity. Pastor Jeffery has an evangelistic anointing with a pastor's heart. His passion is to help repair the generational gap so that "...young men will see visions and old men will dream dreams." (Acts 2:17) He and his family strongly feel the leading of the Lord to help raise up a church to proclaim the power of Pentecost and the goodness of God.
Whitney Rylee
Music Minister
Whitney holds a Bachelors Degree in Music from Brenau University and a Masters Degree in Music Education from Piedmont College. She has taught at East Hall High School for 13 years where the choral program has grown from eight students to over 160 students. She has been the Minister of Music at Assembly of Praise since 2014. She lives in Lula with her husband Rhett and their two boys, Bryce and Tucker.
Rev. Rusty Martin
Youth Pastor
Pastor Rusty Martin & his wife of 21 years, Charlotte, were first called into Ministry in 2003. They've served in various fields of ministry ranging from Youth Pastor to Church Planting & Pastoring. They have a heart for young people & providing them a place where they can come & experience a REAL relationship with Jesus Christ. Pastor Rusty currently is a Supervisor at Kubota, where he has been since 2002. Charlotte works in the Addiction Recovery field connecting people who suffer from Substance Abuse with resources to help them start the road to recovery. They have 4 children: Cade, who is 20 years old, a college student, and active in Music ministry; Coda, who is 16 years old and a Sophomore in High School; Cadi, who is 14 years old and a 8th grader in Middle School; & Emmy, who is 6 years old and in Kindergarten. The Martin's are just a family who Love God, Love Ministry, & have a servant's heart. They live by the motto: “LOVE LIKE JESUS LOVED & FORGIVE LIKE JESUS FORGAVE!"
Chris Smith
Children's Pastor
Pastor Chris and his wife, Jill, live in Lula, GA. He is a graduate of North Hall High School and North Georgia Technical College. Pastor Chris owns his own business and has held numerous leadership positions in ministry, including Christian Education Director of the North Georgia District in the Congregational Holiness Church. His passion is ministering to children and bringing the Bible alive to them. Pastor Chris and Jill have two daughters, Chloe, who is a senior at Emmanuel College and plays Tennis for the Lions, and Allison, who recently graduated from Emmanuel College and is currently pursuing her Physical Therapy degree. Allison is now married and serves in ministry with her husband.
Shelia Coy
Nursery & Toddler's
Mrs. Shelia lives with her husband, Chris, in Flowery Branch, GA. She has three children and eight grandchildren. She is a graduate of Kineo Bible College and continues to expand her knowledge and study of Jesus! Mrs. Shelia has a passion for everyone to hear the Good News of the Gospel, including our babies and toddlers. She has been a part of Nursery/Toddler ministry for over 15 years and believes "For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these".
