Decatur Presbyterian Church of Decatur, AL » Our Staff and Leadership
  • Scott Phillips
    Senior Pastor

    Scott came to DPC in 2022 after pastoring 16 years in Louisville, Mississippi. He considers his strengths for ministry to be counseling, teaching, and encouraging. He's optimistic about what the gospel, thoughtfully lived-out and believed, can do to sinners. He likes patient, Bible-and-prayer ministry, loving people, and engaging the culture with the gospel. He thinks that a humble expression of the gospel in covenant community, working together in ministry, can impact the whole community for eternity.

     

    Scott is married to Karin; they have four children, Evelyn, Maggie, Jacob and Noah.

  • Rick Stark
    Associate Pastor

    Rick is the Associate Pastor of Decatur Presbyterian Church. Prior to DPC, he was at Plains Presbyterian Church in Auburn, AL where he served both as its planting Pastor and Senior Pastor.
     
    A native of Louisiana, Rick has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Southeastern Louisiana University and a Master of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary. Prior to entering seminary, Rick and his wife Betsy served 20 years with Athletes in Action (a ministry of CRU), both in the U.S. and internationally.
     
    Other than his family (father of four beautiful children, a son-in-law and daughter-in-law, and 2 grandchildren), Rick’s passions include hunting, fishing, landscape and home renovations.
     
    Rick’s life verse is Galatians 2:20 and his favorite quote from missionary Jim Elliot – “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

  • Tucker Fleming
    Youth Director

    Tucker Fleming was raised in the Atlanta area and attended both Mississippi State University and Beeson Divinity School. He's lived and worked throughout the country in schools and non-profit organizations, and has worked with students for a decade, with over half of that time being in the local church. 

  • Stu Schieler
    Worship Director

    Stu is originally from Ripon, WI, but he grew up in Miami, Florida. Music has always played an important role in his life and it allows him to worship God on a very personal level. For over 15 years, Stu was very active in the music ministry of Old Cutler Presbyterian Church (PCA), Stu traveled to Latin America, Mexico, and Europe as a member of a musical mission team from that church. Stu served as the Worship Director at Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church (PCA) for 7 years, Stu has been the Worship Director for Decatur Presbyterian Church (PCA) since 2010.

     

    Stu married his childhood sweetheart, Lory in 1988, they have two children, who are now both married. Jessie and Josh Kappers live in Orlando, FL. and Tel and Jo Schieler live in Opelika, AL.

  • Jesse Pawley
    Administrative Director
  • Jessica Keith
    NextGen Coordinator

    Jessica Keith was born in Decatur, AL and has lived there the majority of her life. She studied Elementary Education at Athens State University, and has experience homeschooling as well as many years teaching in children’s Sunday School classes. Jessica and her husband, Jeff were married in 1998 and have two sons (Grayson and Grant) and one daughter (Lily Belle). They joined Decatur Presbyterian Church in 2009.

     

    In September 2022, Jessica became the Coordinator for DPC’s NextGen Children’s Ministry. It is the desire of our ministry that the children of DPC be a part of the worship and work of the church. Through Bible study on Sunday mornings, Catechism classes and Choir rehearsals on Wednesday nights, and once a month focus on Missions and Giving, our children experience what it means to be part of the body of Christ. Jessica is honored and blessed to facilitate the team that brings all of this together.

  • Allison Seale
    Nursery Coordinator

    Allison was born in South Carolina and lived in many cities in the Southeast growing up. She attended Auburn University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Child Life. After college, Allison married her husband Jason and they have been married for 19 years. They have 4 children ages 17, 14, 11, and 3. 

     

    In August of 2021, Allison became the Nursery Coordinator at DPC. It brings her so much joy and blessings serving the families and children of our nursery. She loves working with our Nursery Care team and church volunteers who provide wonderful care for infants through 3 year-olds. 

  • Elena Suggs
    Kitchen Coordinator
  • Tonya Roth
    Office Administrator

    Tonya joined the staff as the Office Administrator for Decatur Presbyterian Church in the Spring of 2013, and is most often the first voice you hear when contacting the church.

     

    Tonya was born in California, but grew up in Florida and Tennessee. She has lived in Decatur for 39 years. She and her husband, Michael, have three adult children, Nick, Asher, & Heather, and two grandchildren, Jack & Harper. Tonya has a strong love for her Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ, and loves the DPC family and considers it a blessing to serve the staff and congregation of DPC.

  • Nathan White
    Church Planter in Residence

    Nathan was born and raised in Decatur, Alabama. He began serving Decatur Presbyterian as the Pastoral Intern in January of 2017, became the Youth Ministry Director in 2020, and was ordained and installed as the Assistant Pastor in January of 2021. Nathan grew up in church, hearing the gospel from an early age, and is a graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary.

     

    He married his wife, Rachael, who is also a Decatur native, in March of 2016. They have one daughter, Alice, who was born in October of 2021.

     

    In September of 2023, Nathan was called by Providence Presbytery to plant Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church in the western part of Madison, Alabama. He and Rachael are thankful for the many ways DPC has continued to love and support them.

  • Session
    Elders

    George Godwin            Allen Schmidt

    Jeff Keith                        Jay Suggs
    Mike McMahan            Blake Temple
    Brian Rodgers              Andy Thompson
    Connor Ross                 Chip Walraven

  • Diaconate
    Deacons

    John Elder                   Steve Sasser

    James Fudge              Sam Thompson

    Wade Littrell               David Whitcomb

    Bill Nelson                   David Zajic
    Kris Olin

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