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Our Staff
Dr. David Poe, Senior Pastor
Born in Northern Mississippi, David came to faith in Christ as a teenage boy in Algoma, Mississippi. David was called to preach at age 19 and became a pastor at age 20. He graduated from Blue Mountain College in Mississippi and holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Luther Rice Seminary. David is married to Billie Taylor Poe and they have two grown daughters and five grandchildren. David has been the senior pastor at Sunrise since 1996.
 
 
 
Rodney Massey, Pastor of Family Life
Rodney Massey is the Minister of Family Life at Sunrise. Rodney was ordained to the ministry in 1992 and is a graduate of Luther Rice Seminary. His proudest accomplishment however is his close relationship with his bride Sheryl and two children Jessica and Rodney. It is Rodney's commitment to minister to couples here at Sunrise in order to build strong families.
 
                             Jamie Merritt, Pastor to Students
He was born in Columbus, Georgia and has been working with youth since 1997.  Jamie graduated from Toccoa Falls College in 2001 with a degree in Biblical Studies.  While at Toccoa he met his wife Tiffany and they were married in May 2004.  Jamie has been on staff since May 2005.  Both he and Tiffany reside in Bethlehem, Georgia.
 

Jenny Haney, Director of Preschool & 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 two young children. She has been Director of Preschool and Children's Ministries since 2006.

 
Ruth Sapp, Ministry Assistant
She was born and raised in Ohio where she met and married Dan.  They moved to Lawrenceville in 1984.  They have two daughters and one son.  February 2006 they were blessed again with their first grandchild.  They have been members of Sunrise since June 1986.  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 while living in Memphis, Tennessee. Vicki joined the fellowship of Sunrise in 1998, is active in our Women's Ministry, and teaches a Women's Sunday School Class. She and her husband David live in Lawrenceville and have two wonderful sons. She joined the staff at Sunrise in January 2008.