Sunrise Baptist Church - Sharing His Light & His Peace

Dr. David Poe, Senior Pastor

Born in Northern Mississippi, David came to faith in Christ as a teenage boy in Algoma, Mississippi. He was called to preach at age 19 and became a pastor at age 20. David graduated from Blue Moutain College in Mississippi and holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Luther Rice Seminary. He is married to Billie Taylor Poe and they have two adult daughters and five grandchildren. David has been the senior pastor at Sunrise since 1996.

Rodney Massey, Pastor of Family Life

Rodney, a native Georgian, is a three time graduate of Luther Rice Seminary with degrees in Biblical Studies and Ministry. He was ordained into the ministry in 1992 and has served at Sunrise since 2002. Rodney's passion is to train people to base their family life on the teaching of Scripture. He enjoys family life with his wife of more than twenty years, Sheryl, and his adult daughter and son, Jessica and Rodney. 

J. Mark Perry, Pastor of Worship Music

Mark came on staff at Sunrise in February, 2008. He is the child of a pastor and the youngest of three siblings, growing up in Cartersville and Marietta, Georgia. He trusted in Jesus as his Savior at age six and a half. Mark comes from a very musical family and his love for music, worship music specifically, was cultivated in his home life by his mother's involvement, influence, and college/seminary education, and his father's love for the music of the church. Mark received his Bachelor in Music and Master in Music Education from the University of Georgia. While there he met his wife, Suzanne as they marched in the Redcoat Band he was leading as Drum Major. He also has spent time studying at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He began serving as a music minister at age 18 and was called to full-time service at 23. Mark and Suzanne have two sons, Alex (22) and Andrew (20), both involved in studying church music in college.

Jamie Merritt, Pastor of Students

Jamie was born in Columbus, Georgia and has been working with youth since 1997. He graduated from Toccoa Falls College in 2001 with a degree in Biblical Studies. While at Toccoa, Jamie met his wife, Tiffany and they were married in May 2004. Jamie has been on staff at Sunrise since May 2005. They reside in Bethlehem.  

Jenny Haney, Director of Children's Ministries

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Jenny came to faith in Christ as a young Awana Chum right here at Sunrise Baptist Church. She was called to education and missions at age 20 and became a Kindergarten teacher in Gwinnett County after graduating from Shorter College in Rome, Georgia with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She holds a Masters of Education degree from Walden University. Jenny is married to Shawn Allen Haney and they have three young children, a daughter and two sons. She has been Director of Children's Ministries since 2006.  

Bruce Bennett, Minister of Education

Bruce is a life-long Georgia resident and has been married to his wife, Jan since 1987. He is an attorney, CPA, and is completing his seminary studies at Luther Rice Seminary. Bruce believes the more we learn about the Lord and His ways, the more we will desire to be like Him. Bruce joined the staff at Sunrise in 2009.

Ruth Sapp, Ministry Assistant

Ruth was born and raised in Ohio where she met and married Dan. They moved to Lawrenceville in 1984. They have two daughters, one son, two granddaughters, and one grandson. Ruth and Dan have been members of Sunrise since 1988, long before either the fellowship hall or sanctuary were built! Ruth has been a Ministry Assistant at Sunrise since November 2003.

Vicki Oder, Ministry Assistant

Vicki is from Kentucky, but has lived in Georgia for more than 20 years. She trusted Christ as Lord and Savior in 1992 and joined the fellowship at Sunrise in 1998. She is active in our Women's Ministry and teaches a Women's Sunday School class. She and her husband David live in Lawrenceville with their two sons. Vicki joined the staff at Sunrise in January, 2008.