Our pastor, Darrell Johns, has a strong background in youth and family ministry. Clear and understandable biblical teaching is a hallmark of his ministry. Prior to his coming to Atlanta West in September of 1995, he served as General Youth President of the United Pentecostal Church International. His ministerial background includes 17 years in youth and family ministry, and leadership training. He served as a pastoral staff member at the First Pentecostal Church in Jackson, Mississippi from 1978 - 1988. During this time, he also served as a Bible college instructor and from 1986 - 1988, as Administrator of Jackson College of Ministries.

Rev. Darrell and Sis. Carol Johns were married in 1978 and have three sons: Ryan, Joel, and Justin. All three young men have graduated from our Christian school, Atlanta West Christian Academy. Ryan has continued his education and completed his Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing from the University of West Georgia and now works full-time at the church. Joel attends Gateway College of Evangelism in St. Louis, Missouri, and Justin just graduated in May from AWCA. As a family unit, the Johns family is a great blessing to our church.

Joel Johns graduated from Atlanta West Christian Academy in 2003, received his Associates in Biblical Studies from Gateway College of Evangelism in 2005 and his Bachelors of Practical Theology from Gateway in 2007. Joel served the student body as Junior Class Secretary, Men’s Ministry Coordinator and Senior Class President. He also worked for the college as Men’s Dorm Supervisor.

 While attending college, Joel served summer internships at Atlanta West and at The Life Center in St. Petersburg, Florida. After graduation, he did internships for the Florida District UPC and The Pentecostal’s of Titusville in Florida under the leadership of Pastor Joel Wells.

 In November of 2007, Joel became full-time Youth Pastor at The Pentecostal’s of Titusville. During his tenure, the youth group grew from fewer than fifteen to an average of approximately 48 in 2010. This year alone, by mid-May, twelve young people had received the Holy Ghost and ten were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Joel married Alonda in 2009. Alonda graduated from Belleview Christian Academy, and was dual-enrolled her last year at a local college CFFF. She is a certified Teachers Assistant for the State of Florida, a certified Nutritionist, a licensed nail technician, and a licensed Hair Cosmetologist.

David Jury joined the AWPC ministry team in September, 2008. He serves as the Pastor of Discipleship and Director of Operations. 

Bro. Jury also serves as the Georgia District UPCI Youth President which he has done since February of 2007.

 Prior to joining the AWPC team, he served as Youth Pastor at Apostolic Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA under the leadership of Pastor B. S. Cole from September 2004-September 2008.

He has been actively involved in church-wide ministry since 1997 and is an ordained minister of the UPCI.

Bro. Jury graduated from the University of Georgia Summa Cum Laude and is a Certified Public Accountant. He worked professionally for seven years for Arthur Andersen and the University of Georgia prior to assuming a full-time position in ministry in 2004.

Holly Jury grew up at Atlanta West and graduated from Atlanta West Christian Academy. We are honored to have her back home to join our ministry team with her husband.

The Jury’s favorite hobby is spending time with their two precious girls, Olivia and Ava.

 They desire to simply be known as a couple who are passionately in love with Jesus Christ and consumed with living a life pleasing to God.

 Rev. Marvin and Cecilia Reyes lead Spanish Ministry at Atlanta West. Bro. Reyes, formerly the pastor of a United Pentecostal Church in Nacogdoches, TX, brings invaluable insight of the hispanic culture. Bro. and Sis. Reyes are dedicated to ensuring the Spanish-speaking community hears the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are excited to have them and their children, Josias, David and Rosemary, and Isabella on the Atlanta West team.

Brandon Frazier serves as the Minister of Music at Atlanta West Pentecostal Church. He is an outstanding musician and choir leader with an accomplished music team. He is responsible for the leadership and organization of the praise team, two choirs, chorale, youth choir, drama department and all musical productions.

His formal training in music began at the age of eight. By the age of sixteen he was playing piano and organ for the church choir. Brandon has played keyboard and organ for several recording projects, including National Music Ministry Conferences and the West Tennessee Mass Choir. He teaches piano and organ, as well as choir clinics and choir leadership seminars across the country. Brandon graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and in addition to his ministry in music he assists in the accounting office of Atlanta West Pentecostal Church.

Ryan Johns has become a full-time staff member since his graduation from the University of West Georgia in December of 2005. He hold a Bachelors in Marketing. He is an accomplished musician and songwriter. His freshman album will be released in the summer of 2009.

Jerri Ann Manley joined the pastoral staff in June 2005 as Principal of Atlanta West Christian Academy. Sis. Manley has worked in our Christian school for seventeen years. Through the years, she taught classes from kindergarten through the sixth grade.

Since the 2002-2003 school year, her responsibilities increased when she began supervising the elementary grades. She brings outstanding organizational and interpersonal skills to AWCA and the church staff.

James Townsend, a long-time member, trustee and board secretary of Atlanta West, is another member of our pastoral staff. Bro. Townsend was raised in a pastor’s home and has worked for many years in a field that required high personal relationship skills. In July 2000, Bro. Townsend retired from his secular job and now devotes his life to the Care Ministry at Atlanta West. The purpose of Care Ministry is to meet the practical and spiritual needs of our growing congregation. This includes hospital visitation, funeral assistance and general pastoral care. Bro. Townsend is supported by his wonderful wife, LaVerne.