Staff Directory

Richard C. Statham, Senior Pastor
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Pastor Rick has been the Senior Pastor of Salem since 1995. He is an Atlanta native who graduated from Walton High School in East Cobb County prior to attending Mercer University in Macon, GA where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. Pastor Rick later attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. Prior to serving as a pastor, he was in the commercial real estate and development field. Pastor Rick has previously served as Pastor of Chattahoochee Baptist Church in Marietta, GA and Oconee Baptist Church in Dublin, GA. He as also served on staff at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church and Townview Baptist Church. Pastor Rick and his wife, Miriam, have three children: Charles, Lauren and Benjamin.

Dan Mckay, Pastor - Pastoral Care and Young Adults
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Pastor Dan has been on the ministerial staff at Salem since 1982. He grew up in the Sylvan Hill area of Atlanta where he attended Capitol View Baptist Church. While attending Shorter College and serving as Minister of Youth at Utoy Springs Baptist Church in Atlanta, Pastor Dan met his wife, Joyce, who is currently a science teacher for the Georgia Virtual School. Pastor Dan earned his Master's Degree at Southeastern Seminary. Pastor Dan and Joyce have served as partners in ministry, specifically with Ridgecrest's Fall Festival of Marriage. They have four children: Jeremy, Aaron, Carrie Anne, and Seth. Carrie Anne and her husband, Daniel Barkes, live in Woodstock, GA.

Larry Volman, Minister of Administration
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Larry has been on staff at Salem since September 2001. He is a native of Memphis, TN, where he received all of his formal education, including a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Music Education and a Master's Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Memphis State University. He taught Instrumental Music in the Memphis Public Schools prior to serving as a founding staff member and Chairman of the Fine Arts Department of the Briarcrest Baptist School System. Larry's career in education continued as he served as Associate Director of Bands and Professor of Music Education at the University of South Carolina, band director at Morrow High School, and Coordinator of the Clayton County Performing Arts Center for its first eleven years of operation. Larry and his wife, Martha Lynn, have been members of Salem since 1993. They have 3 children and 2 grandchildren.

Gary Jarnagin, Minister of Senior Adults and Education
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Gary joined the Salem staff in February 2008 having recently retired from American Airlines after a 29 year and 8 month career. Gary graduated in 1976 from Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. In 2002, he received a Master of Arts in Religion from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and in December 2007, earned a Masters of Divinity from Luther Rice Seminary. Gary and his wife, Darlene have one daughther: Bailey.

Roger Waters, Minister of Music - Traditional
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Roger has served at Salem since 1989. A native of Dekalb County, Roger graduated from Gordon High School and later graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Music and a Master's Degree in Music from Georgia State University. He has continued post-graduate studies in choral conducting and vocal performance at the University of Georgia. Roger has served as Director of Choral Activities and Chairman of the Fine Arts Department for Southwest Dekalb High School, and as Minister of Music and Youth at High Point Baptist Church in Covington, GA. He also has professional affiliations in a number of nationally recognized Conferences and Associations, including theSouthern Baptist Church Music Conference and the Georgia Baptist Conference. Roger and his wife, Sandra, have two children: Michael and Melody.

Chris McMichen, Minister of Music, Contemporary/Blended
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Chris has been on Staff since June of 2010. He also serves as the Director of Choral Activities and Fine Arts Department Chair at Union Grove High School in McDonough. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from The University of South Carolina and a Master of Music Education degree from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music. Chris leads the Celebration Choir/Band in addition to leading music in the 11:00am Sunday and 6:30pm Wednesday worship services. Chris and his wife Pam have two daughters: Cadence and Kendall.

Jason Housley, Worship and Media Associate
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Jason joined the Salem staff in February of 2010. He serves over all media and publications at the church. He also leads and organizes the 9:45 contemporary worship service. Jason is currently attending New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he pursuing a degree in Biblical Studies. Jason is married to Martha and she too serves with him in the various ministries of the church. Their heart is to see students and adults discipled in their relationship with Christ. Jason and Martha have one daughter: Norah

Nathan Wood, Student Ministry
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Nathan, from Clayton County, has been on staff since 2007 and has assisted in student ministry since 2009. He is currently a student at Leavell College of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary studying for a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Ministry. Nathan and his wife, Rebecca, have two children: Hannah and Andrew

Kim Winton, Minister of Preschoolers
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Kim and her family have been at Salem since 1992. Prior to joining Salem's staff in a full-time position, Kim served in the Preschool Ministry for seven years teaching Sunday School, Mission Friends, TeamKids, helped in extended sessions and was the Director of Preschool Ministry.  Kim served as Minister to Younger Preschoolers in a part-time role but is now full-time as the Minister of Preschool. She and her husband Jim, who is active in the RA's and Men's Ministry, have four children: Jon, Gwyne, Sam, and Parker.

Teresa Wasdin, Minister of Children
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Teresa has been at Salem since 2000. She has a Bachelor's Degree in both Religion and Drama from Mercer University and a Master's Degree in Christian Education from Luther Rice Seminary. Teresa and her husband, Dale, have two children: Jake and Perry. Teresa also oversees the Prayer Room Ministry and the G.R.O.W. Greeter Program.

Bobby Swafford, Director of Transportation and Grounds
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Pastor Bobby has served at Salem since 1996. A native of Atlanta, he graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture and a Master's Degree in Education. He has also attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to serving at Salem, Pastor Bobby worked as an East Coast Sales Representative for a wholesale plant nursery. He has also served as Associate Pastor of Chattahoochee Baptist Church in Marietta, GA, and as a church planter in Conyers, GA. Over the past several years, he has served Salem as Minister to Senior Adults and as a steward of his talents in the knowledge of horticulture. Pastor Bobby and his wife, Valerie, a physical science teacher in Rockdale County, have three children: David, Julie, and Laura.

Melissa Chappell, Weekday Preschool Director
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Melissa has served on staff at Salem since 1989. She taught the class of four year olds for ten years, served as the Interim Weekday Preschool Director for two years, and served as the Assistant Preschool Director for seven years. Melissa, a native of McDonough, GA, has been a member of Salem for forty years. She attended Gordon Military High School and Clayton State College & University. Melissa and her husband, Perry, have three children: Amy, Laurie, and James.

Carin Pratt, Assistant Weekday Preschool Director
Carin began serving as Asst. Preschool Director in 2007 after being involved with the preschool since 1994. Carin has an Associate in Arts Degree from Clayton State and has worked as an Executive Administrative Assistant for eleven years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. Carin and her husband, Lewis, have two boys: Cory and Neal.

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