Leadership

Monty, and his wife Kathy, came to Lake Arrowhead Church at the beginning of 2020. The Watsons have pastored in Virginia, Texas, and Georgia. Monty and Kathy grew up together in Arcadia, Louisiana. They accepted Christ on the same day as children, were high school sweethearts, and married in 1983. Monty graduated with an accounting degree from Louisiana Tech University and from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a master's in theology. Monty’s passion is preaching the word of God, faithfully declaring what God has said and relevantly applying it to our lives. Kathy also graduated from seminary with a degree in religious education focusing on children; and through the years, has served on church staff and been an elementary school teacher. The Watsons have two married sons and four grandchildren. Monty loves college football and enjoys great books, great movies, and great dates with Kathy.

Wes, and his wife Jan, moved to Lake Arrowhead in 2013. They were immediately blessed by the church’s commitment to Bible teaching and the friendly people they met, which is still true today. Wes serves as an elder and oversees finances and education. His heart is to disciple men and help them grow in their walk with Jesus, and he teaches a Sunday morning Bible study. Jan is a teacher as well and she leads a weekday Bible study fondly called Sister Circle. Wes and Jan were high school sweethearts and married 1981. They have three adult children and two grandchildren.  Wes graduated from Georgia Tech and was an engineer for 40 years, working in the international nuclear power industry evaluating the performance of nuclear power stations around the world.

Jerry and his wife Laurel have been residents of Lake Arrowhead since 2019, love this community and especially the Bible teaching of Lake Arrowhead Church. Jerry accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior at an early age having never doubted that childhood experience. After receiving a Bachelor of Architecture from Texas Tech University, the Lord redirected Jerry’s career path to a ministry of church administration. He served Second Baptist Church of Houston, Texas, and Johnson Ferry Baptist Church of Marietta, Georgia, for over 40 years. Laurel, meeting Jerry on a blind date, also graduated from Texas Tech University with an emphasis in home management becoming the consummate homemaker and recipe hound. Jerry enjoys teaching God’s Word, writing, and the outdoors, especially playing golf and bass fishing. Jerry and Laurel have two great sons with a beautiful daughter in between, all with wonderful Christ-loving spouses. The Maxfields enjoy 9 delightful grandchildren.

Steve, and his wife Phylis, have attended Lake Arrowhead Church since 1994. But 18 of those years were spent overseas teaching and coaching in international schools in South Korea, Pakistan, Thailand, and Hungary. Steve was an educator, coach, and athletic director for 37 years. The Majors came back to the States in 2003 to make Lake Arrowhead their home and have been faithful members and servants ever since. Steve and Phylis have two married children and six grandchildren. Both families followed in their footsteps, teaching in international schools in Thailand. Like so many others have said, the Majors love Lake Arrowhead Church because it is such a friendly, loving church, and a beacon of light for the Lord for the community. Steve’s latest passion is livestreaming sports events at Cherokee High School through Steve Major Sports.

Nikkie has always had a passion to serve. Whether it was serving her country in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Egress Technician, as the Office/Finance Manager at her church in Florida, outreach ministries within her community, or serving on mission trips. Her focus and desire has always been to seek where God can use her next. Nikkie, and her husband Tom, have been married for 35+ years and have one son, Hunter, who is pursuing a military career. Nikkie has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a master’s in Accounting from Liberty University. Having recently moved from the big city of Denver, Colorado, she and Tom were not sure what to expect from a small mountain church. But with a focus on teaching God’s word and the outpouring of love of the community, they knew they had found their church home. Nikkie has recently joined the staff as the Church Administrator and feels incredibly blessed to be serving God and the community in this new role.

Bev Bearden became our worship leader in the summer 2021. She lives in Holly Springs, Georgia, and has been married to Tim for 36 years. They have two adult children, Rachel and Paul, and a fur baby dog named Ellie. After accepting God’s call to ministry at the age of 15, Bev has served in many different churches leading in worship, youth, and children’s ministries throughout Georgia. She and Tim started a new church together in Ohio where Bev led several bands and worship teams for both adults and children. Most recently, Bev was the Children’s Worship and Production Coordinator for a church in the Atlanta area.  Bev and Tim are excited to be able to worship and serve Christ with us here at Lake Arrowhead Church.