Dr. Gary Furr has been a pastor for over twenty years and has served as pastor of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church since 1993. Before that he was a pastor in Georgia and Texas. A native of North Carolina, he has been married since 1973 to Vickie. They have three daughters, Heather, Erin and Katie. Dr. Furr has a B.A. in Religion from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee. He received a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and Ph.D. in religion from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he graduated in 1986. He is a graduate of the The Academy for Spiritual Formation with the Upper Room Ministries and currently serves on the Coordinating Council of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
Gary is often called on as a speaker and conference leader and has written for a number of magazines and journals. He co-edited and contributed to Ties That Bind: Life in the Baptist Vision and co-authored The Dialogue of Worship with Milburn Price. He was a contributor to and editor of the Library of Distinctive Sermons. He also serves as an adjunct professor of religion at Samford University. |
Nancy Akins began her ministry at Vestavia Hills in January of 1990 after completing the Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has twice served as the President of the Alabama Preschool and Children's Minister's Organization. Her hobbies include gardening, needlework, and learning to cook. Nancy has volunteered at many places in the Birmingham area which include the burn unit at Children's Hospital and local school libraries.
Dr. Otis Brooks was born in Decatur, GA. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Emory University. He then attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he received his Bachelors of Divinity and his Masters of Theology. He later received his Doctorate of Divinity from Samford University. Dr. Brooks has served in places close to home, such as Samford University, and some not so close, like Kowloon Baptist Church in Hong Kong. With forty years of pastoring experience, including nineteen of those at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church.
Mike McBrayer joined the pastoral staff at Vestavia Hills in March of 2002. He is a graduate of The University of Tennessee, and received his Master of Divinity from Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. With over 10 years of experience in student ministry, Mike serves on the Editorial Advisory Group for Intersection, a publication of Smyth and Helwys, to which he is also a contributing writer. He and his wife Melissa have two children, Luke and Maggie. |
Dennis Anderson began his ministry at Vestavia Hills Baptist in July of 1985. He received his undergraduate degree from Georgia State University and Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Southwestern Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Karen, fill their free time with a variety of activities, including civic involvement in Vestavia Hills. His general responsibilities on the church staff include the administration of the church's general operation in the areas of finance, personnel, facilities and educational programs. As a licensed professional counselor, Dr. Anderson also assists the pastor in pastoral care and counseling ministries.
Terre Johnson serves as Minister of Music at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church. His career has included notable experience in church music, teaching, and conducting. Prior to coming to Vestavia Hills, he was Conductor-in-Residence with Midamerica Productions in New York City. In that role he conducted regularly in Carnegie Hall, with choruses from around the country and the New Jersey Symphonic Ensemble. From 1999 to 2001 he was Director of Choral Activities at Troy State University, and was Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church of Dothan, Alabama from 1990 to 1999.
Terre has three children: daughters Cameron and Kelly, and son Christopher. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Troy State University, a Masters Degree in Music Education from Auburn University, and a Ph.D. in Music Education from Florida State University.
Beth McGinnis joined the staff in 2007 but has deep roots in the church, having attended Vestavia Hills Baptist as a Samford student from 1987 to 1991. She and her husband Scott met in the college Sunday School class during that time. They now have a son, William, and a daughter, Kate. Beth holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Samford, where she studied with VHBC's organist of 38 years, Betty Sue Shepherd. Beth also holds a Master of Music in Musicology from TCU and a Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While in North Carolina she was Minister of Music at Ephesus Baptist Church in Durham. She teaches music history and research at Samford. |
