Cris Jackson // Director of Student Ministries

As a student, I was blessed to have had the gospel of Christ taught to me at home with my parents and through a variety of student ministries at my local church. The Lord used those influences in my life to save me and to call me to minister to students. Through ministering to students in a Christian school context, I have been so very encouraged by God's faithfulness to reveal Himself to students through the power of the Word of God. Therefore, it is my joy to lead the STS staff in having the Scriptures taught and discussed faithfully to students so that Christ might continue to make himself known. My wife and I, along with our five children, are so very thankful to God for the community and encouragement we have found at Church of the Apostles, and we are looking forward to how God will use us for His kingdom.

Blake Thaxter // Guys Ministry Coordinator

After being invited to my friend’s youth group in high school and hearing the gospel, I felt compelled to find out who God was and what that meant for me. I went into college at USF hungry for friendship and open to learning about God. While attending college at (USF) University of South Florida in Tampa, I got involved in an organization called Cru. Through this ministry, I began to understand the importance of having a relationship with Christ. After graduating, I interned with Cru at USF for two years and I met my amazing wife Hillary in Miami during a summer mission’s project with Cru. In May 2014, I moved to Atlanta and got married to Hillary that August. I worked at a mental health facility for a year and half and then, in 2016 I joined staff with Cru. Since following Christ, I have had a deep passion to see students encounter the gospel and while volunteering with the youth in my church, I felt the Lord lead me to serve in a church setting with students. I am so thankful to be able to serve at STS as your Guy’s ministry coordinator! I am really looking forward to getting to know you and your children. I see it as a huge responsibility and privilege to come alongside you and to begin the process of knowing, befriending, loving and discipling your kids. I want you to know that I don’t take this opportunity lightly and I am deeply passionate about encouraging and equipping them to grow into young men who truly love and follow Christ.

Information

• Hometown

  Tampa, FL

• Family Hillary

  Sienna

• Hobbies/Interests

  Golfing and hiking!

Mark Johnston // Guys Coordinator & College Ministry

In 1989, while working in the Sports Medicine field, the Lord called me to student ministry. I started out as a volunteer for two years and that eventually led to me becoming a full time Youth Minister in the Presbyterian Church in America, where I served from 1992-2002. In 2003, I arrived at The Church of The Apostles with my family and immediately volunteered in the STS ministry where I served for five years. I was asked to come on staff in 2008 to serve the families in STS. My desire is to minister to our families and see them grow in their relationship with Jesus and be equipped for their ministry wherever God has called them to serve. I have been blessed with an incredible wife, Monica, and three children: Caroline, Elijah, and Gideon.

Information

• Hometown

  Snellville, GA

• Family Monica

  Caroline, Elijah, Gideon

• Hobbies/Interests

  Reading! Selling antique ads from magazines.

Leah Colvin // Girls Ministry Coordinator

I am originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I lived in New York, North Carolina and Louisiana but haved always called Georgia home. I graduated from the University of Georgia and have a M. Div from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. With ten years of ministry experience in Preschool, Children, Youth and College ministry, I have been blessed to do ministry with many different people and I have loved every bit of it! I also love the ocean, all my nieces and nephews and traveling as much as possible!

Information

• Hometown

  Powder Springs, GA

• Family

  Parent’s: Paul and Helen

  Brother: Matt

  Four beautiful nieces and nephews!

• Hobbies/Interests

  Travel!

Savannah Kelly // Girls Ministry Coordinator

Gracie Earnest // STS Administrative Assistant

Information

• Hometown

  Marietta, GA

• Family

  Parents: Curt & Jan Earnest

  Siblings: Trey & Micah Earnest