Pastor – Timothy Howell
Tim grew up in Fayetteville, the oldest of three children. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Religion with a Specialty in Pastoral Ministry from Campbell University. He received his Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry from Campbell University Divinity School. He has held 2 church staff positions for 5 years, and 4 pastorates for 25 years, for a total of 30 years in the ministry. Tim has been Pastor of Athens Drive since August 1, 2003. He and his wife, Jeanne, have been married since November 23, 1975 and have 2 grown children and three grandchildren. Tim enjoys spending time with his family and playing the guitar.
Minister of Music/Organist – Melanie Allen
Melanie was born and raised in NC, the third child (and only daughter) of a Baptist pastor. She grew up loving music and started taking piano lessons at the age of 5. She was 10 when she began playing the piano for church services on Sunday evenings and has been involved in church music ever since. Melanie received her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Meredith College in Raleigh, where she was involved with several choral groups as a singer and accompanist. After college graduation, she moved to Ft. Worth, TX where she earned her Master of Music in Piano Performance from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has been on staff at Athens Drive since February 1989. In addition to her church responsibilities, she works full-time for an insurance company. Melanie enjoys playing piano, reading, walking, watching movies, going to the beach and to the mountains, and playing with her 3 nieces.
Administrative Assistant – Julie Bull
Julie attended the Plaza Secretarial School in Paramus, NJ and she obtained her Microcomputer Technology Degree from Wake Technical Community College in 1979. She worked for the State of NC in the Department of the State Treasurer from 1985 – 1992, and in the Department of Human Resources from 1993 – 1995. She has been on staff at Athens Drive since 1995. She has been married to Mark since 1990 and they have a daughter, Sarah Beth. Her hobbies are scrapbooking and running her gift basket business.