Justin Bagwell, Lead Minister to Students

Originally from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Justin graduated from Lipscomb University in 2005 where he earned a degree in Government and Public Administration and a minor in Youth/Family Ministries. During his time at Lipscomb, Justin met his amazing wife, Bethany. The two were married on October 1, 2005.

God has instilled the passions and gifts within Justin to minister to students and has led him to the North Atlanta family. For the past four years, Justin has been dedicated to these students and lives to see students give themselves more fully to God.

 

Major Boglin, Family Life Minister and
Director of the Genesis Center for Christian Counseling

Major L. Boglin (Ph.D., M.MFT) is the Family Life Minister and Director of Genesis Center for Christian Counseling for the North Atlanta Church of Christ.  Prior to coming to Atlanta in June 2001, he served for 5 years as Assistant Professor and Clinical Supervisor in the Graduate Department of Marriage and Family Therapy at Abilene Christian University (ACU).  He served for 4 years as the Dean of Students and Adjunct Faculty in the College of Biblical Studies at ACU.  He also served for two years as a full-time therapist in ACU Counseling Center and part time as a faculty member in Undergraduate Bible department.

Although now practicing in the area of pastoral counselor and family ministry, Major holds a license in marriage and family therapy from the state of Texas.  He is a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and is also an Approved Supervisor.  He has 15 years of private practice experience in pastoral counseling and marriage and family therapy.  In addition, he has conducted workshops and enrichment retreats in many areas concerning marriage and family life (e.g, marriage enrichment, sexual enhancement in marriage, family faith building, positive parenting, divorce adjustment, step-family transitions, and families in stress). He has worked extensively in the areas of marriage and sex therapy, family therapy with child and adolescent difficulties, and individual issues like alcohol and drug recovery, spiritual struggles, depression and anxiety disorders.

Major and his wife, Bernadette, have two sons, Berkley and Alexander.

 

Scott Galloway, Sports & Fitness Minister

Scott Galloway is our Sports Outreach Minister and the director of our Family Enrichment Center.  He has an extensive background in sports as a winning basketball coach on both the high school and college levels and even coached a season of professional basketball in Europe.  Scott has a master's degree in Kinesiology, is certified in fitness training, and spent five years as the Director of Residence Life at Abilene Christian University.  He has served as a minister to college and singles in the Dallas, TX area, has been a principal at a Christian high school in Oklahoma.  He brings a wealth of experience and a background of successful ministry.

Scott is married to Marie Galloway. Marie has worked for a number of years as a school registrar and administrative assistant.  She came to us with an extensive background working with children, teachers, and school administrators.  Marie also works as a member of our staff as Director of Children's Education.

The Galloways have two children (both married and living in Texas) and four beautiful grandchildren.

 

Dennis Gerdes, Guest Relations Minister

Dennis has served on staff at North Atlanta since 1989 in various capacities including Minister of Adult Education and Minister of Small Groups.  Currently he focuses on North Atlanta’s Guest Relations Ministry.  Prior to that, he served as the deacon of the Outreach Ministry 1976 thru 1988.

Prior to attending North Atlanta, Dennis and his wife Ann were members at Waterview Church of Christ in Richardson, Texas where he served as deacon of Visitation and Worship.  Before that, he was at Westbury Church of Christ in Houston, Texas where he served as deacon in Visitation and Outreach.

Ann and Dennis have 2 sons.  Dennis retired from IBM in December 1988 after 32 years service.

 

Bill Hale, Minister, Recovery Ministry Development

Married in 1969, Bill & Carole Hale have two daughters and 7 grandchildren. Bill & Carole each hold a masters degrees in education and taught 30 years in public school systems. Carole was twice named teacher of the year and was recognized as one of Georgia’s Outstanding Educators by the Atlanta Journal/Constitution. Bill, in addition to his teaching career, served four years in the military. A decorated veteran of Viet Nam, he retired at the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

Bill and Carole have served in leadership roles at the North Atlanta Church of Christ for over 25 years. For the past 12 years they have served in leading the development of an evangelistic ministry to people in recovery from addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. Because of the power of God working through this effort hundreds have come to the Lord. Currently, Bill & Carole's primary focus is on helping churches develop effective ministry to the recovery community.

Because of his experience with ministry to the recovery community, in 2004 Bill was selected to serve on a study group lead by the Brookings Institute in Washington, D.C. This group developed “best practices” for state governments dealing with the increasing problem of recidivism in the U.S. prison population.

Bill & Carole know that the "field" of recovery is one that is truly "ripe for the harvest" as many among the "least of these" in the recovery community are sincerely searching for God and His truth.

 

Sheree Yasko Hill, Education Minister

Sheree serves as the Education Minister with the North Atlanta Church of Christ. Prior to that Sheree was a school teacher and principal from 1978 until 1998, in both public and private education.  During that time, she worked extensively with local congregations in the development of their children's and adult education programs.  She has served on the curriculum committees of several congregations.

Sheree has spoken at many brotherhood workshops around the country. She has spoken on such topics as teacher training, Christian parenting, ADHD, curriculum development, time management, stress management, personal evangelism, and school and church growth.

Sheree is graduated from Lubbock Christian University with a Bachelor's Degree in Education, from Azusa Pacific University with a Master's Degree in Education Administration, and from Carolina University of Theology with a Doctorate in Religious Education.

 

Bill Long, Administrative Elder

Before retiring as pulpit minister in August 1997, Bill had served 26 years as minister of North Atlanta Church of Christ (formerly Sandy Springs Church of Christ). He now serves as elder and on staff at the church in an administration capacity. He does enjoy semi-retirement with his wife Betty while continuing to teach Bible classes and preach on occasion.

Prior to his 26 years at North Atlanta, Bill’s history included:
- 1966–1971 Midtown Church of Christ, Fort Worth Texas
- 1965-1966 Central Church of Christ, Valdosta Georgia
- 1961-1965 President, Georgia Christian School, Valdosta, Georgia
- 1957–1961 Cascade Heights Church of Christ, Atlanta, Georgia
- 1955–1957 Park boulevard Church of Christ Louisville, Kentucky

 

Don McLaughlin, Pulpit Minister

Don and Susan McLaughlin have been serving with North Atlanta since 1997. Their five children are pursuing their undergraduate and graduate studies around the country while Don and Susan are enjoying ministry and the empty nest. Don graduated from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas with a bachelor's degree in Bible and a minor in New Testament Greek. From 1999 to 2001 Don continued his education at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. Prior to serving at North Atlanta, he and his family served with churches in Anderson, Indiana and Byesville, Ohio.

In addition to his pulpit ministry with North Atlanta, Don serves as an adjunct professor with Harding, teaching Bible in their online degree program. He also conducts seminars and workshops on spiritual growth, communication, leadership, and personal effectiveness in the U.S. and around the world. He especially enjoys working with universities, young people, churches, and corporations. His first book, Heaven in the Real World, is available through Simon and Schuster publishing.

A note from Don and Susan...
We love Atlanta and we love serving with our North Atlanta family. It is such a joy to be a part of a Christ-centered, diverse, community-impacting church. Together with our church family, we have grown in our love for Christ Jesus and our desire to inspire others to give themselves fully to God. Our prayer is that North Atlanta can be an inspiration to everyone we touch.

 

Mark Miller, Young Adults Minister

Mark Miller graduated from Abilene Christian University where he received a bachelors degree in Integrated Marketing Communications, with an emphasis on Advertising and Public Relations.  From there he moved to Atlanta, where he furthered his education with a technical degree in Advertising.  In May of 2000, Mark was led by God to pursue ministry.  Feeling confident in God's leading, Mark realized that he could easily use the education in advertising towards ministry.

Mark was hired as North Atlanta's Young Adults Minister on October 1, 2002.   He is responsible for ministering to college students at Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and other local colleges, and for developing North Atlanta high school graduates into strong Christian leaders.  Aside from teaching college students, Mark is responsible for assisting the young adults/singles ministry in the planning of retreats and other enrichment activities.  That includes leading a Young Adults mission trip in conjunction with the Missions Ministry, and being a resource, staff contact, encourager and coach to the Young Adults leadership team.

 

Ken Snell, Executive Minister, Involvement Minister, Worship Leader

Ken Snell has served as Involvement Minister and Worship leader at North Atlanta since 1991.  He also serves as Executive Minister, coordinating the ministry staff and the administrative staff.  Ken began his ministry as a College Minister (University of Tennessee 1976-1982) and then served as Youth and Family Minister for nine years in Middle Tennessee before joining the staff at North Atlanta.

Ken's education includes an undergraduate degree from Lipscomb University and a Master's degree in Education from the University of Tennessee.  He has also prepared himself for ministry with post-graduate study in theology, counseling, conflict resolution, and worship.

Since 1980, Ken has been married to his wife, Susan (graduate of The University of Tennessee, 1982).  They have two daughters, Lauren, a University of Georgia graduate who is married, and Whitney who is a junior at Georgia.