Pastoral

Pastor Sheila Bates
Lead PastorI am a proud native of Northern Virginia. I hope to say the same thing about Pensacola one day! At a very young age, I acknowledged God’s love for me and the world. God never stopped tugging at my heart, and eventually, I said “yes” to a call to…
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Pastor Sheila Bates
Lead PastorI am a proud native of Northern Virginia. I hope to say the same thing about Pensacola one day! At a very young age, I acknowledged God’s love for me and the world. God never stopped tugging at my heart, and eventually, I said “yes” to a call to ordained ministry. I spent my formative years in the legal field and often connected my love for helping people with my desire to engage God’s children, youth faithfully, and young adults and them to explore what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Through my passion for local and global missions, I have been blessed with many opportunities to preach and teach worldwide.
God remains the pinnacle of our faith, leading us through life’s obstacles. I love the Bible, even when it is difficult to understand. I desire for people to bring their Bibles to church and be prepared to be challenged. God’s invitation to our lives is more significant than we could ever imagine. You may often hear me say, “God is good, all the time!”
On a personal note – I love to read and to travel to unexpected places, meeting God’s people along the way. And in between all of life’s busyness, I love to spend time with my family and close friends.

Rev. Josh Blount
Associate PastorJosh grew up in Montgomery, AL, and has since lived across the southeast working in college ministry with CRU and The Wesley Foundation. He felt the call to ministry in High School during a youth group meeting. He started ministry after attending the University of Alabama, where he studied…
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Rev. Josh Blount
Associate PastorJosh grew up in Montgomery, AL, and has since lived across the southeast working in college ministry with CRU and The Wesley Foundation. He felt the call to ministry in High School during a youth group meeting. He started ministry after attending the University of Alabama, where he studied football and baseball. (And a little bit of Business Management as well)
He chose to attend Asbury Theological Seminary, where he focused on classes in discipleship and young adults. While at Asbury, he was an assistant coach on the baseball team at Asbury University. On the baseball field, he was able to engage college students on a spiritual level. He also gained a passion for reaching out to the community around him by serving those in need. He enjoys serving the church through discipleship, spiritual growth, and outreach to the local community. Josh’s favorite part of the ministry is seeing people grow in their faith and becoming more mature disciples of Christ.
Josh loves Alabama Football (Roll Tide!), Atlanta Braves baseball, and going to the gym in his personal life. Josh also enjoys finding new restaurants as a self-described “wannabe foodie” and coffee enthusiast. He also has a dog named Tua that is a bundle of energy and excitement!
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways, acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Support Staff

Dawn
Director of Student and College MinistriesDawn’s love for the church family has guided her ministry at Cokesbury with over 15+ years of experience. As a Children’s Ministry Assistant, Dawn later became the Director of Children’s Ministry and eventually assumed her current position of Director of Children and Student Ministries. Dawn creates and designs programming and…
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Dawn
Director of Student and College MinistriesDawn’s love for the church family has guided her ministry at Cokesbury with over 15+ years of experience. As a Children’s Ministry Assistant, Dawn later became the Director of Children’s Ministry and eventually assumed her current position of Director of Children and Student Ministries.
Dawn creates and designs programming and special events for children and youth, infant through grade 12. Dawn directs our church’s nursery, children’s Sunday school, and our mid-week children and student ministry programs. On Sunday nights, you will find her in The Loft for the weekly gathering of students in grades 6 through 12. Dawn coordinates learning, serving, and worship opportunities that help kids pursue a deeper understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. Ensuring that they know that Jesus will be their forever friend and that church really can be fun-contrary to popular belief. Nobody is perfect here or ever expected to be.
Dawn has been married to her husband Chuck for many years, and they have raised two amazing daughters. She spends as much of her free time as possible laughing and loving family and friends. She has a passion for dog rescue, coffee, brunch, and dresses with pockets.

Andrew “Drew”
Contemporary Worship LeaderDrew is the contemporary worship leader. He is a born again grateful believer in our Lord Jesus Christ. Drew is married to his beautiful wife, Jenny, father of 3 grown children and grandfather of 4 precious little ones who call him Pop Pop. Drew loves the Lord, family, and…
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Andrew “Drew”
Contemporary Worship LeaderDrew is the contemporary worship leader. He is a born again grateful believer in our Lord Jesus Christ. Drew is married to his beautiful wife, Jenny, father of 3 grown children and grandfather of 4 precious little ones who call him Pop Pop. Drew loves the Lord, family, and church and is humbled and honored to serve at Cokesbury. He looks forward to meeting you soon!

Jay
Director of Technology and CommunicationsJay brings 9+ years of experience with churches and missions’ organizations in both the U.S. and Central America, alongside 15+ years of IT and media experience in the professional field. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, he decided that snow, ice, and cold weather wasn’t his cup of tea from a…
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Jay
Director of Technology and CommunicationsJay brings 9+ years of experience with churches and missions’ organizations in both the U.S. and Central America, alongside 15+ years of IT and media experience in the professional field.
Originally from the Pacific Northwest, he decided that snow, ice, and cold weather wasn’t his cup of tea from a young age. After becoming connected with a missions organization, he packed up everything he owned and jetted off to Costa Rica, staying a few years before relocating to Pensacola. He had never been to Pensacola when he landed at the airport and only planned to stay for a while. After falling in love with the weather and the ocean, he’s here for good.
When he’s not running video/audio for service in the sound booth, editing videos in his office, or arguing with a stubborn piece of technology on the church campus (never let technology know you’re in a hurry, it will take the opportunity to malfunction!) you can find him hanging out on the beach.

Mina
Church AdministratorMina has 30 years of accounting and administration, making her a perfect fit for the staff team. She manages contributions, payables, financial reporting, payroll, employee benefits, facility repairs, and facility leasing. She continually focuses on stewardship of what God has provided Cokesbury to use for His purpose. Mina believes…
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Mina
Church AdministratorMina has 30 years of accounting and administration, making her a perfect fit for the staff team. She manages contributions, payables, financial reporting, payroll, employee benefits, facility repairs, and facility leasing. She continually focuses on stewardship of what God has provided Cokesbury to use for His purpose. Mina believes in ensuring that the daily administrative activities are bringing Christ to people and people to Christ.
Mina grew up in Austin, Texas. She has a loving husband, Victor, two daughters, a wonderful son-in-love, and a fantastic grandson. In her spare time, she likes spending time with her family, drawing, and painting.

Genevieve
Administrative AssistantGenevieve is delighted to assist Pastor Sheila and Cokesbury Church. She brings four years of experience as a church administrative assistant. Genevieve found her previous administrative jobs a joy and fulfillment as she is passionate about helping others. Genevieve attended the University of Alabama and the University of West Alabama….
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Genevieve
Administrative AssistantGenevieve is delighted to assist Pastor Sheila and Cokesbury Church. She brings four years of experience as a church administrative assistant. Genevieve found her previous administrative jobs a joy and fulfillment as she is passionate about helping others.
Genevieve attended the University of Alabama and the University of West Alabama. After, Genevieve taught middle and high school math in Florida and Alabama. She still enjoys math and all of its complexity.
Genevieve and her husband Dan, pastor of St. Mark UMC, have two children and love to spend time with them. Genevieve enjoys playing guitar, and she also loves to read and crochet.
Team Members

Kathy
Kathy grew up in the Pensacola area and is glad to be back close to family. She is excited to serve as the Director of Children’s Ministries, a role that brings joy to her heart. From previous positions, Kathy has seven years of children’s ministry experience in Alabama and Georgia churches. She recently worked as a Disaster Case Manager with Alabama West Florida Conference’s disaster recovery teams for Hurricanes Michael and Sally.
As a University of Southern Mississippi graduate, Kathy enjoys putting her elementary education degree into action in the church setting. When she’s not sitting on the floor for storytime, sharing snacks, or coordinating volunteers, Kathy enjoys the outdoors and admiring pictures of her twin nieces.
Kathy invites you to reach out to her to discuss the variety of ways you can be a part of Bringing Christ to children, and children to Christ.
Team Members

Mallery
Financial SecretaryFacilities

Johnny
Head of Facilities“So anyway, there I was…..” is a Johnny catchphrase when he started in the Navy (that’s another story!) In the Navy, he was a crewman trained to find Russian submarines out of large airplanes. Later, he flew in helicopters, still looking for subs but largely as a rescue swimmer…
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Johnny
Head of Facilities“So anyway, there I was…..” is a Johnny catchphrase when he started in the Navy (that’s another story!) In the Navy, he was a crewman trained to find Russian submarines out of large airplanes. Later, he flew in helicopters, still looking for subs but largely as a rescue swimmer waiting for survivors who lost their ride at sea. It got exciting at times.
Johnny married his High School Sweetheart, Judy, and they have four kids and currently have eleven grandkids. He has always been a bit of an adventurer and has worked in a few different trades. His earliest days of construction work began when he was in second or third grade, helping his dad build their first family home.
He came to Pensacola during the last two assignments with the Navy, where he retired. Judy and friends brought me to Cokesbury, where he loves our church family. Our Lord saw to it that he had the right experience to help take care of our beautiful campus and facilities.
Team Members

Joe
MaintenanceJoe has been married for 46 years and has 3 children and 6 grandchildren. He says his time working with Cokesbury has been a Godsend. He loves the people and is so grateful for the church.