Pastor Rob Bailey and his wife Deandra felt God’s call to the Athens’ community in July of 2008. With the thought of planting a church that would impact the community, they first opened a coffee house in the Five Points area to meet people and build relationships. Two Story Coffee was launched in October of that same year and a local icon was born. Shortly after, in April of 2010, Rob was called to pastor here at Oconee Heights Baptist Church. Rob and Deandra have 3 adult sons Paul, Mark and John and three amazing daughters-in-law. Rob has served as student pastor at Decatur Heights Baptist Church, West-side Baptist Church and Student/College pastor at Annistown Rd. Baptist Church before coming to be our senior pastor in 2010. He’s a native of Georgia, growing up in the Atlanta area and attending Tucker High School, Mercer University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Pastor Rob is committed to expository preaching of the Bible, in which the Bible is read, explained, and applied to daily living. He and Deandra are both committed to living out the Gospel, thriving in community, and leading the Oconee Heights family to “love each other so well, we make Jesus Christ impossible to ignore”.

Matthew has been a member at Oconee Heights since 2013. He began serving as an intern, served as Small Groups Pastor, and since 2018, now serves on staff as Associate Pastor. Matthew has the privilege of being married to his beautiful wife, Hannah. He and Hannah have three sons: Walker, Noah, and Abel. Noah was born in March of 2020 with Trisomy 13 and, after 57.5 hours on Earth, was healed and is with his Heavenly Father. The Efirds want their family's story to proclaim and invite others to experience God's goodness, even in the midst of darkness. Matthew and Hannah are high school sweethearts and both graduated from UGA. They enjoy hosting friends for dinner and game nights-their home is a place you are always welcome. Matthew wants everyone to live a life of knowing Christ and making Him known. He loves to read, listen to music, and spend time with his family. On Friday evenings you can find him enjoying his talent for making homemade pizza.

Stephen joined Oconee Heights in August of 2019. He received his degree in Communication Studies from the University of Georgia. While enrolled, he was very involved with the youth and worship ministries at a local church in Watkinsville. He married his beautiful wife, Sarah, in September 2020. His desire as Youth Director is for the students to actively pursue their relationship with Christ and grow deeper in their love for Him. Stephen also spent a couple of years as our worship director and remains a vital member of our worship team. 

Kyle began serving at Oconee Heights in July of 2021 as the interim worship leader. It did not take long for him to realize that this was where God wanted him to be permanent! Kyle graduated from Valdosta State University with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. He has been serving as a Police Officer for the Athens Clarke County Police Department since May of 2019. That is where he met his beautiful wife Sophia! They got married in May of 2020 and have been pursuing the path God has laid out for them ever since. Kyle’s heart is that everyone who enters the doors of OHBC is able to freely worship our Savior regardless of the struggles that they go through every day. Kyle loves playing the guitar and leading but is really a drummer at heart.

When you call Oconee Heights, Teresa is the one who will answer the cell phone. She graduated from Athens Tech in marketing management and became a church member (with Joe, her husband) in 2013. Along with her regular office duties, she maintains the church website and social media. She also helps with most of the fellowship and outreach events and keeps up with the church calendar. In addition, she teaches K-2 grade Sunday school and volunteers for Awana. She feeds her own growth by participating and co-leading women’s ministry. Teresa and Joe both love serving their church in any way that brings glory to God. At home, they both answer to the high expectations and demands of their dog, Maggie Mae.