Dahlonega Baptist Church called Bill to the position of pastor in July 1993. With him came his wife and two school-aged daughters. The family loves this congregation and community. Bill's wife, Mary Beth, is an adjunct voice instructor at North Georgia College and State University. Their older daughter graduated from North Georgia, is married and blessed the family with the first grandchild. Their younger daughter nears completion of her degree in voice performance at North Georgia. She plans to be married in 2010.

Bill's pilgrimage led him educationally through Mercer University in Macon, GA (BA), and through Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY (M. Div. & D. Min.). Ministerially, Dahlonega Baptist is Bill's third pastorate, the other two were set in Norman Park, GA (1980-1983) and Claxton, GA (1983-1993).

Bill claims to be a dabbler, acknowledging no one hobby, but trying his hand at many different past times. These dabbling have included stained glass, classical guitar, woodworking, writing, and golf, to name a few. Future dabblings may include photography and pottery throwing. Perennial interests include cooking and traveling.

Chuck Eiland has served as Minister of Music since May 1999. Chuck and wife, Diane, enjoy living in Dahlonega and the north Georgia mountains. His previous full-time Christian ministries include Britt David Baptist Church-Columbus, GA (1992-1999), First United Methodist Church-Andalusia, AL (1985-1989) and Heritage Baptist Church-Dothan, AL (1977-1978).

He was educated at Troy State University, Troy, AL (B.M.E.-1974) and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.C.M.-1992).

He married Diane Scott of Opp, AL in 1976. They have three grown children, Carrie Bennett, living in Chipley, FL; Dixie Eason, living in Jefferson, GA; and Chase Eiland, living in Columbus, GA. They also have four grandchildren, Carter Bennett, Aaron, Ava and Davis Eason. Chuck's interests include riding bicycles, playing guitar and percussion instruments, collecting old hymnals, attending movies with his wife and watching and attending NASCAR races.

Dennis has served Dahlonega Baptist since 2004. He and his family are approaching are excited about investing in the lives other families at DBC. He and his wife Deidre have two boys, Michael (6) and Parker (9 months) with another due on Thanksgiving Day, 2008. They are so excited. Dennis loves Buffalo Wings, whitewater rivers and seeing God move in unbelievable ways in the families in our church.

In October of 2007 the church called me as the Church Administrator. It is my privilege to serve this church and the people of Lumpkin County (Acts 20:28). I am currently working towards a Masters degree through New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. An active member of the National Association of Church Business Administrators, I am currently completing the requirements for national certification. I am married to Bob and we have one teenage daughter. I believe that when a church is organized and administered correctly, all of our gifts are used effectively and efficiently for the Kingdom of God, thus allowing the church to fulfill it’s mission under the lordship of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16).

Velvie is from Carrollton, Georgia and has over 20 years experience in Children’s Ministry. She received her Master of Arts degree in Christian Education with a Childhood Concentration from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary of Forth Worth, Texas.

Velvie has a passion for ministering to children and their families. Her goal is for Dahlonega Baptist to provide a safe and secure environment where a child’s spiritual journey can be nurtured. She has no doubt that God's plan for her is to be a vessel to lead children to Christ, help them apply His word to their lives, and encourage families.

Velvie has four grown children and ten grandchildren. Every chance she gets, she slips away for a visit.

Dianne King, who has lived in the Dahlonega area all of her life, now serves as Office Manager of Dahlonega Baptist Church. She has worked at DBC since November, 1987.

She is married to Larry King, also a native of Dahlonega, GA. Courtney, their daughter, is living in Atlanta and working in advertising and landscaping. Brett, their son, is living and working in the Dahlonega area.

Dianne's favorite pastimes are walking, outdoor activities including hiking and photog-raphy.

Aida has served in Dahlonega Baptist Church since July 2003.

Aida was born in Colombia, South America and became a US citizen past year. She has an Associate degree from Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Kalamazoo Michigan. She is a graduate of Philadelphia Christian Church Theological Seminary, Bogota Colombia. She is a certified Web Designer from North Georgia College and State University. Aida lives with her husband Jim and her mother in Dawsonville where she enjoys the outdoors, travel and photography. Aida has family in Michigan, Georgia and Florida.

Bob became the church Financial Assistant in January of 2003. His experience as a church financial assistant stretches back to the early 1990's for the Highland Baptist Church in Waco Texas. Bob worked in tire manufacturing management for 20 years before becoming a personal financial planner. He and his wife have been married for 38 years. They have three adult children and one grandchild. Bob enjoys golf, gardening, and is an avid follower of Monday Night Football & the College Basketball Final Four.

Betsi has been in Dahlonega and a member of Dahlonega Baptist Church for 5 years. She is a retired accountant from Gold Kist Poultry. Betsi has family in Michigan, California and Virginia. She has one child and two grandchildren. Her favorite pastimes are gardening and crocheting.

Lisa Thompson has been pianist at DBC since September 1995. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education/Music Specialization from East Texas Baptist University, Marshall, Texas, where she met her husband, Dan. He is a Chemistry professor at NGCSU. They have two married children. Joshua is in the U.S. Navy and Elizabeth lives in Dahlonega. She and Dan have led several DBC mission trips to Ecuador ministering in medical, construction and VBS. Her hobbies include handbells, missions, reading and quilting.

Mary Beth filled the church organist position with the retirement of the former organist shortly after arriving in Dahlonega. Mary Beth was reared in Douglasville, GA. After high school, she attended Shorter College, where she earned a bachelor of church music degree. Mary Beth traveled to Southern Seminary in 1976 to pursue a master’s degree in voice performance. There she and Bill were drawn together by God's grace and married in January 1978.

Mary Beth has served in other congregations a director of children's music, Adult Choir director, organist and pianist. She, also, presently teaches piano privately and teaches voice as an adjunct instructor at North Georgia College and State University. Music remains Mary Beth passion, but that passion is now rivaled by as a passion for her baby grand daughter.

I am a 3^rd Grade Teacher at Blackburn Elementary School in Dahlonega. I have been a member of Dahlonega Baptist Church for 30 years. I have been serving in nursery since I was 12. I have been employed as a part-time Nursery Worker at the church since 2005. I love children and feel blessed to serve the Lord in this capacity.