Our Staff | The Church of The Apostles

Pastor
Apostles Life
Children
Students
20s & 30s
Adults
Women
Congregational Care
Music
Media
Administraton

Dr. Michael Youssef, Pastor & Founding Rector

The Youssefs came to America in 1977 and in 1978, Michael received a master’s degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. He later earned a doctorate in social anthropology from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

Michael served for nearly ten years with the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and church leadership to church leaders. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a United States citizen, fulfilling a dream he had held for many years.

He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission to “Equip the Saints and Seek the Lost.” The church has since grown to a congregation of over 3000. This church on a hill was the launching pad for Leading The Way‘s international ministry. Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef passionately proclaims uncompromising Truth through radio and television programs, the Internet, and through books, periodicals, and other resources.

More about Dr. Youssef

Assistants to Dr. Youssef
Amy Lindsey, Assistant to the Rector for Hospitality and Events/COTA and LTW | alindsey@apostles.org | 404-564-3140
Lauren Settembrini, Special Assistant to the Rector/President of Leading The Way | lsettembrini@apostles.org | 404-591-1968

2012 Vestry Members

Jackson Hill (Rector’s Warden), Chip Brookhart, Robin Burruss, Lee Caswell, Rowland Cocks, Chris Herschend, Tad Hutcheson, Monte Johnson, Jim Kranzusch, Richard Maner, Jason Maxwell, Mark Newton, Steve Peterson, Bob Voyles, Kenneth Yancey

James Saxon D.Min., Director of Apostles Life

jsaxon@apostles.org | 404-591-1981

I was ordained as a PCA minister in 1979, and have actively served in the pastorate for the last 30 years. I was converted to Christ at the age of twenty while a student at the University of Alabama. I graduated from the RTS Doctorate of Ministry program in the spring of 2005.

I joined the staff of the fast-growing, outreach-minded, The Church of The Apostles in Atlanta in the fall of 2000. Since coming to Apostles, I have served in a variety of staff roles and have recently assumed the role of Director of ApostlesLife. This core ministry of The Church of The Apostles is a cutting-edge evangelism strategy that inculcates many current ideas and approaches that are successfully being utilized in soul-winning around the country.

Though I am currently involved in outreach ministry, I am a pastor at heart and my life ministry verse is Colossians 1:28, “And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ.”

More about Apostles Life

Apostles Life Staff
Jan Blakeslee, Administrative Assistant | jblakeslee@apostles.org | 404-591-1988

Connie Musselman, Director of Children’s Ministry

cmusselm@apostles.org | 404-591-1969

I placed my faith in Christ as a young teenager and by God’s grace gained a desire at that time to be involved in ministry. I have a degree in Christian Education and Bible from Belhaven University, but my greatest joy and accomplishment has been in being a mother to my four children. Seeing firsthand that children can have a deep love for the Lord at a young age has reinforced my view that it is better to build strong children than to repair adults.

It is my privilege here at Apostles to “hold the door open” so that others come to a deeper understanding of faith in Christ. I believe that God uses many hands and hearts to impact the lives of children, so along with hands-on ministry to the children, my ministry centers on equipping my team, parents, and our wonderful volunteers to do the work of ministry for the hearts of the next generation.

More about the Children’s Ministry

Brian Skaggs, Director of Student Ministry

bskaggs@apostles.org | 404-591-1977

God has shaped and molded me to have a heart for students and a desire to pour into their lives. I try to live each day with a focus on Jesus’ words that are seen in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Through pursuing things of this world, the thief attempted to destroy my life. Jesus rescued me and He continues to provide the hope, peace, joy, transformation, and purpose that I desperately need. My crazy, yet rewarding, job as a student pastor began at another church in the Atlanta area in 2001. I have a beautiful wife named Lisa and a little daughter named Cate. As I continue to embark on my lifelong call to ministry, I am excited to be part of the ministry team here at The Church of The Apostles.

More about the STS Student Ministry

Zack Carden, College & Transition Pastor

zcarden@apostles.org | 404-591-2476

Welcome Zack Carden our College and Transition Pastor. His role will be to build a trust relationship with our high school students during their junior and senior years. He will help prepare them for college by teaching them to defend their faith against skepticism. In addition to getting students connected to solid campus ministries while at college, he will stay in contact with them through social media and other means during their time away. Once out of college, he will be available to help them get started on a meaningful career path. Zack feels expressly called to minister to this group. He brings with him his wife, Tennyson, and their four children, Seth (11), Talbott (9), Cole (7), and Halle (4).

Russ Masterson, Director of Young Adult Ministries

rmasterson@apostles.org | 404-842-9714

I grew up in Lawrenceville, Georgia. I earned a BBA in Marketing from the University of Georgia, and completed my Masters of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Six years ago I convinced a lovely girl named Kristy to marry me. Our first daughter, Josie, is two and and second little girl, Isabelle, arrived in November of 2010. I am presently the Young Adult Pastor ministering to college, 20s and 30s, and running the Sunday evening gathering, The Center for Faith and Culture.

More about the Young Adult Ministry

Young Adults Ministry Staff
Meghan Follrath, Assistant Coordinator | mfollrath@apostles.org | 404-591-1980

Zack Carden, College & Transition Pastor

zcarden@apostles.org | 404-591-2476

Joe Ludwikowski, Director of Discipleship Ministry

jludwikowski@apostles.org | 404-591-2481

I accepted God’s call to the ministry in 1997 while serving on the Navy staff at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. I retired from the Navy in 1999 as a Captain after 26 years of military service. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Augusta College and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. I am a graduate of Liberty Baptist Seminary. I have served as a pastor in Pennsylvania and Georgia, and also served as the Chief Executive Officer of Reach-Out Youth Ministries.

I believe that God has given me and my wife, Lydia, a unique Christian experience as a military couple and as a ministry couple in order to equip others. Through our many moves, we have learned the importance of building community with other believers. Over the years we have maintained strong connections with believers from all over the world.

More about the Adult Discipleship Ministry

Discipleship Ministry Staff
Rhonda Saduddin, Administrative Assistant | rsaduddin@apostles.org | 404-564-3152
Brenda Williams, Administrative Assistant | bwilliam@apostles.org | 404-591-1965

David Watson, Director of Young Families

dwatson@apostles.org | 404-564-6689

Holly and I married in 1998 in our hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. We moved to the Atlanta area in 2000 when I began work as a full time minister and Holly continued her career as a pediatric nurse. We joined Apostles’ staff in July 2007. Holly and I have two children, Chase and Claire, and aspire one day to own a golden retriever or live next door to someone who owns a golden retriever. I am a graduate of Samford University (B.A. in religion) and Beeson Divinity School (M. Div). In my free time, I enjoy coaching my kids’ teams, playing softball and racquetball, and am a sports enthusiast. My favorite hobby, however, is dating my wife as much as possible.

My passion in ministry is for the strength and stability of young married couples, both in their relationship with Christ and with each other. I lead a Bible study every Sunday morning in the Young Families community class, which is open to all young married couples in their 20s and 30s. I also coordinate monthly marriage mentoring ministries called Hitched, which is for young marrieds without kids, and Hatched, which is for young parents.

More about the Young Families Ministry

T.J. Diamond, Director of Small Group Ministry

tjdiamond@apostles.org | 404-591-2472

I believe that God does some of His best work in our lives in the context of relationships. That’s why small groups have always played a vital role in my spiritual growth and ministry. Sharon and I got married in 1984 and served together with Campus Crusade for Christ for nearly 20 years. We’ve lived in the Atlanta area since 1993, raising our children Mark, Bethany, and Graham.

I studied Journalism (sportswriting) at Texas Christian University, and took graduate courses at Dallas Theological Seminary. Before coming to Apostles, I served at two other large churches as Pastor of Small Groups and Pastor of Adult Ministries. I enjoy playing golf, watching college football, and cheering on the Braves. Sharon and I treasure time we get to spend together, or with our kids, or with incredible friends that God continues to use in our lives.

More about Small Groups Ministry

Belinda Stone, Director of Women’s Ministry

bstone@apostles.org | 404-591-2483

Belinda Stone would rather have her shoes off than on, since she was raised in the Arkansas Ozark mountains. She moved to Atlanta in 1989 as a divorced and broken single mom. God, in His sovereignty, brought her to the realization of His love for her and His plan of salvation for her.

Soon after her surrender to the Lord, she met her husband Stoney. They have been married for eighteen years. They have two sons, Kevin and Josh, and a grandson, Dillon.

For eight years Belinda volunteered and served at a Christian counseling center. Each week she witnessed God’s healing grace in women’s hearts and marriages. The Godly principles and training she received through this ministry was life-changing.

Belinda worked in the corporate world for twelve years, and then God clearly called her to The Church of The Apostles. She served in her first position as Membership Coordinator for four years, and has served in her current position in the Women’s Ministry for an additional four years.

Looking back on her life, many times she has thought, “God, how can you use all the messes in my life?” She has been amazed how He has used every mess, every mistake and every life crisis for her good and His glory by sharing that God is redemptive – He doesn’t waste a moment!

More about the Women’s Ministry

Women’s Ministry Staff
Carola Wangeci, Administrative Assistant | cwangeci@apostles.org | 404-842-9915

Stan Carder, Director of Congregational Care

scarder@apostles.org | 404-564-3146

I was born and raised in the Midwest and after attending Bible school I began full time ministry in Montana in 1971. Leaving the beautiful scenery of the Yellowstone Park area behind, our family moved to the concrete jungles of Southern California, where I was involved in ministering in a large church while I was attending seminary. After finishing seminary, I accepted a call to begin pastoral ministry in Georgia in 1994, and I joined the Apostle’s staff in 2003. I am happily married to Sally and have three grown children.

Our Congregational Care staff seeks to minister to each individual’s need whether it is spiritual, physical, or emotional. We do this through personal and hospital visitation, individual, pre-marital and marital counseling, utilizing our Stephen Ministers, or hosting a variety of outreach ministries and support groups.

More about the Congregational Care Ministry

Dana Blackwood, Associate Rector for Music

dblackwo@apostles.org | 404-591-1971

Dana came to Apostles in 1994 and began singing on a part-time basis. In 1996, Dana came on staff as a full-time employee. He has filled many roles and worn many hats over the years. His public gift of singing and leading worship is the most visible but his behind the scenes work in the building of the church campus is a very special part of his life. Dana is married to Dawn and has two daughters, Megan and Bailee.

Jonathan Noel, Director of Music

jnoel@apostles.org | 404-841-0465

Jonathan Noël joined Apostles in April 2011. We are excited to have Jonathan and his wife Amanda as part of our family and team!

Music Ministry Staff
Whitney Booth, Administrative Assistant | wbooth@apostles.org | 404-591-1964

Kevin Knox, Director of Communications and Media

kknox@apostles.org | 404-591-1963

Media / Communications Staff
Bradley Davis, Media / Communications Coordinator | bdavis@apostles.org | 404-564-3157
Rich Fiallo, Media Coordinator | rfiallo@apostles.org | 404-564-3147

Boyd Wages, Administrator

bwages@apostles.org | 404-591-1970

I was born here in Atlanta. I grew up about three miles from the church and attended Northside High School just down the street. I met my wife, Carol, when I was a sophomore in high school and we never dated anyone else. We were married after my freshman year at Georgia Tech. Carol and I have two children and five grandchildren.

After graduating from Tech I worked in the corporate world until 1994 when I accepted a call to become a church administrator. I worked as an administrator at two local churches and a Christian school before coming on staff here at Apostles in 2001.

Administrative Assistant
Leslie Shore, Administrative Assistant to Boyd Wages | lshore@apostles.org | 404-591-1975

Richard Waites, Director of Administration

rwaites@apostles.org | 404-591-1983

Richard grew up in Chamblee, Georgia and after graduating from high school, attended The University of Georgia. Richard earned his BBA and MAcc from Georgia. After college he went to work for a public accounting firm and obtained his CPA.

God lead Richard to join an international Christian ministry in 1983 where he was able to use his accounting and administration training. In 1995, Richard was called to join the ministry here at Apostles. Richard openly communicates that he has been blessed to be able to be used by God to be a part of a ministry that proclaims the Truth and seeks to see lives changed for Christ.

Richard was married in 1987 to his wife Kathy and they have three children.

Dana Blackwood, Director of Facilities

dblackwo@apostles.org | 404-591-1971

Facilities Staff
Randy Dooly, Building Engineer | rdooly@apostles.org | 404-842-9709
Matt Montgomery, Assistant Building Engineer | mmontgomery@apostles.org | 404-591-2482

Melanie Poole, Membership Volunteers Coordinator

mpoole@apostles.org | 404-564-6673

I grew up in a Christian family in Virginia and was saved and brought into God’s family through VBS when I was 9 years old. After high school, I attended James Madison University and Old Dominion University in Virginia and Capernwray Bible School in Sweden. I married JC and we have 2 sons who are married and have given us 2 wonderful daughters. We have been members of several good churches and I have spent many years working with children and their families. I am now privileged to serve God as I get to know new people who attend Apostles and those who want to become members. Helping people grow in their relationship with God and then seeing that expressed in the life of the church is my heart’s desire for Apostles.