Church Staff
Dr. Stewart B. Simms, Jr., Senior Pastor
Dr. Stewart B. Simms, Jr. became pastor of Beech Haven Baptist Church in the summer of 1981. He is only the third pastor in Beech Haven's forty-year history. Prior to coming to Beech Haven Dr. Simms served in pastorates in South Carolina, and Texas.
He is a graduate of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, having received his Doctorate in 1974, which was preceded by a Masters Degree in 1972. He received his undergraduate degree from Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina, in 1969. He has continued his Theological Studies with Post Doctoral work at Southwestern through yearly participation in the Scholars in Ministry Weeks.
His service has not only been in local churches but he has participated in many denominational areas including his current participation on the Board of Trustees of the North American Mission Board, and prior service with the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board. He has participated at the local level with the Sarepta Baptist Association in Georgia and the Beaverdam Association in South Carolina and service at the state level in the Georgia Baptist Convention including membership on the Executive Committee as well as serving in other areas.
He is married to Dianne Lucas Simms and is the father of three children Jonathan, Catherine and David. His hobbies include fishing, golf and growing roses.
Curtis Murdock, Music Minister
Curtis Murdock has been Minister of Music at Beech Haven Baptist Church since July, 1988, having previously served churches in Alabama, as well as Georgia. A native of East Point, Georgia, he is an honor graduate of the University of Alabama, having earned the Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science in Education (Cum Laude), and Master of Arts (Dean's Scholar) degrees in music performance and music education. He also attended the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
His denominational involvement has included service as a member of the Executive Committee of the Georgia Baptist Convention and as an officer of the Georgia Baptist Church Music Conference. An active participant in the SONS OF JUBAL, the male chorus of Georgia Baptist Music Ministers, he has been on the faculty of three colleges and several summer music camps.
He has served an adjudicator for several instrumental and choral festivals, and led conferences and written extensively for publications of the Baptist Sunday School Board. In addition to his choral work, he has a strong instrumental background as a performer and conductor, and is widely known as a handbell specialist and consultant.
He is married to Georganne Chatham Murdock who is also an accomplished musician and they have one son, Winston Murdock.
John Walker, Discipleship & College Minister
John Walker is Minister of Discipleship and College. John first served Beech Haven as a Youth Intern during his senior year at the University of Georgia 1995-96 where he majored in History. In 1999, John earned a Master of Divinity degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas.
In August, 1998, John resumed his relationship with Beech Haven serving as Interim Youth Minister, and later as Interim Minister to College Students and Single Adults until 1999 when he was called by the church to fulfill that role long term. He is presently Minister of Discipleship and College.
John is a native of Valdosta, Georgia. His wife Jennifer is an adjunct instructor in the Microbiology department at UGA. John and Jennifer have three girls, Kate, Laura and Julianna.
John' s hobbies include college football and history.
A.B. Sawyer, Pastoral Care & Missions Minister
A native of Fairhope, Alabama, A.B. Sawyer came to Beech Haven in June, 2001, from the First Baptist Church of Fairhope where he had served as associate pastor and minister of youth, education and outreach.
He has served in churches in Alabama and Mississippi as well as being an International Mission Board Missionary to the Island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.
He has also been a high school teacher and coach in Fairhope, Montgomery, Mobile and Gadsden, Alabama.
He served as a Graduate Assistant under Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant at the University of Alabama from which he received a BS in Marketing. In addition, he has completed work at the University of Auburn at Montgomery, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and the Institute of Tourraine in Tours, France.
He is married to Deborah Leytham and they have three children: Twins, Asheton and Annie, and Gordon.
His hobbies include his grandchildren, hunting, fishing, skiing, swimming and coaching.
Jerry A. Horton , Children's Minister
Jerry A. Horton is a graduate of West Georgia College and has attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served in churches in Athens, Jesup, Mableton, Breman, and Fairburn, Georgia and has been a Baptist Student Union Summer Missionary. Jerry has been actively involved in associational and state convention work.
A native of Carrolton, GA, Jerry came to Beech Haven in April of 2003. He is married to Carol, his wife of 24 years. They have three children - Joy, Anna, and Caleb.
His hobbies include guitar, comedy magic tricks, water safety instructor, and clown ministry.Lee Collins, Youth Minister
A native of Tifton, GA and a graduate of The University of Georgia, Lee Collins is home again. Lee began his relationship with Beech Haven in the Fall of 1990 and in 1991 became one of the first two youth interns Beech Haven had.
Upon graduating from UGA, Lee married April Simmons also of Tifton. They moved to Fort Worth, Texas where Lee earned a Master's in Religious Education with Youth Emphasis Degree from Southwesten Baptist Theological Seminary and April earned a Bachelors Degree in English with a History Minor from University of Texas at Arlington.
While in seminary Lee served 2 churches in the area of Youth and Children's Ministry. After graduation Lee has served churches in Florida, Alabama and Tennessee. Lee comes to Beech Haven from Dixie Lee Baptist Church in Lenoir City, TN. Lee and April have 3 beautiful children. Ashlyn, 8, Karli, 6, and Will, 2. They are all BULLDAWG fans and are excited about being in Athens and what God is doing at Beech Haven.
Lee's hobbies and interest include most sports and spending time with his family.
Staff Testimonies