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”.
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.
Meredith joined the Oconee Heights family in January of 2019. She received her bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from UGA in 2015. After graduating, Meredith felt a call to the mission field and left for a yearlong trip around the world using art and murals as a form of missions. Upon returning to the states, (Norfolk, VA) Meredith focused in on her love for the underserved by working as a supervisor at a homeless shelter for families. In December of 2017 she re-met her *now* husband and it didn’t take long before she was packing up her life and moving back down to the Classic City. She and Alex are now happily married and live just outside of downtown with their cat Yonah. Meredith is deeply passionate about seeing others reach their full potential, particularly when it comes to the church. Her desire for Oconee Heights is that we be a church that is known by our love and fully submitted to the will and direction of the Lord. Alongside serving as our creative director Meredith also oversees our outreach and prayer ministries and would love to help you get involved and find your home here at OHBC!
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.