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.

Pastor Ashley Wilkinson Meyer
Associate PastorAshley is the Associate Pastor and has been connected with Cokesbury her entire life, though! Starting off in the fabulous Cokesbury Children’s Center pre-school, Ashley grew up in the Cokesbury congregation and learned from them that God loves every single person and that God calls each one of us…
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Pastor Ashley Wilkinson Meyer
Associate PastorAshley is the Associate Pastor and has been connected with Cokesbury her entire life, though! Starting off in the fabulous Cokesbury Children’s Center pre-school, Ashley grew up in the Cokesbury congregation and learned from them that God loves every single person and that God calls each one of us to service in God’s world.
A graduate of Birmingham-Southern College and Duke Divinity School, Ashley thrives in opportunities to connect with people and learn from them. One of her most formative life experiences was serving in Bethlehem as a Young Adult Missionary with UMC Global Ministries. There, she learned about justice, peacemaking, and the power of God’s grace and love to transform entire communities, even in the most difficult of circumstances. She loves being involved in the challenging and holy work of engaging and empowering individuals and the wider community to be all that God creates and calls us to be – God’s people who genuinely care for one another and God’s creation. Micah 6:8, along with the Greatest Commandment, are two of the scriptures that guide Ashley in her life and ministry:
“[God] has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” – Luke 10:27
Ashley is married to Chris, and they are continually trying to keep up with their two sweet and sassy kids. Ashley loves running, dark chocolate, impromptu dance parties with her kiddos (or really anywhere), and time at the beach. She is also passionate about baby Yoda, dresses with pockets, the color teal, and the grace-filled theology of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.
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!

Brian
Children and Family Ministries DirectorBrian has always loved working with and ministering to children, and he has the privilege of leading the HisKids Children’s ministry on Sunday mornings during our contemporary service. He loves the joy on their faces, willingness in their hearts, and energy they bring when they worship Jesus. Brian creates…
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Brian
Children and Family Ministries DirectorBrian has always loved working with and ministering to children, and he has the privilege of leading the HisKids Children’s ministry on Sunday mornings during our contemporary service. He loves the joy on their faces, willingness in their hearts, and energy they bring when they worship Jesus. Brian creates a fun environment for kids to learn through the Bible through interactive stations, worship, and activities specific to ages 3yrs-5th grade.
God has used Brian and his wife, Jacque, in various ministries with youth and children because young people hold a special place in their hearts. The Bible tells us to train a child in the way he should go (Proverbs 22:6). He realizes children are receptive and always curious. He desires to partner with parents to provide Biblical foundations for children to grow in Christ. He desires to create a fun, energetic environment to make that possible.

Jay
IT & Media SpecialistJay 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
IT & Media SpecialistJay 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.

Pam
Financial SecretaryPam serves the Lord at Cokesbury in two different part-time positions. She is the Financial Secretary for the church and also the Bookkeeper for the Children’s Center. She has over 40 years of administrative and bookkeeping experience, with 18 of those years service two different churches as a Financial…
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Pam
Financial SecretaryPam serves the Lord at Cokesbury in two different part-time positions. She is the Financial Secretary for the church and also the Bookkeeper for the Children’s Center. She has over 40 years of administrative and bookkeeping experience, with 18 of those years service two different churches as a Financial Secretary. She also has served in a volunteer capacity as a Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer.
Pam was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and moved 6 times with her military family before settling in Milton at the age of 10, and she also lived in Colorado for 13 years. She joined the Cokesbury team in March of 2020. Pam has one son and a beautiful granddaughter. In her spare time, she enjoys crocheting, puzzles, and all different kinds of crafts.
Team Members
Leah
Interm Traditional Worship Leader
Sheree
Administrative AssistantSheree came to Cokesbury Church in the Spring of 2020 with 24 years of experience as an Administrative Assistant. She is a native northwest Floridian but has lived outside of Florida for many years. She is glad to be back in this area and serving here at Cokesbury. In…
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Sheree
Administrative AssistantSheree came to Cokesbury Church in the Spring of 2020 with 24 years of experience as an Administrative Assistant. She is a native northwest Floridian but has lived outside of Florida for many years. She is glad to be back in this area and serving here at Cokesbury. In addition to her duties as the Lead Pastor’s Administrative Assistant, she also designs and creates the E-News and the weekly prayer list, which helps her stay connected to the congregation.
Sheree has been married to her husband, John, since 1977, and they have 3 children, all boys! The boys are all married to wonderful daughters-in-law, and each couple has 2 children. The grandchildren refer to John and Sheree as “Ba” and “Nana.” Those nicknames are a story she will have to tell you about in person!
Sheree enjoys singing in her church choir, praise team, and helping out in the nursery when needed. She sees her “job” as a ministry and loves helping people by connecting them to ministries where they can volunteer and serve God!
Facilities

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.
Children's Center

Jeannette
CCC DirectorJeannette serves as the Director of Cokesbury Children’s Center alongside some amazing people and considers it a blessing it is to call the church workplace a “Home away from Home.” She and her husband, Patrick, have been in the Pensacola area with two kiddos since August 2009, married for almost…
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Jeannette
CCC DirectorJeannette serves as the Director of Cokesbury Children’s Center alongside some amazing people and considers it a blessing it is to call the church workplace a “Home away from Home.”
She and her husband, Patrick, have been in the Pensacola area with two kiddos since August 2009, married for almost 17 years (and pray for 100 more).
God has placed her onto this path, ministering to the early childhood community, and she has tried to step off the path a few times, but he scoots her right back to where she knows her heart belongs. Every day, she pours her heart into the children and their families because she wants them to see and feel a glimpse of the love Jesus has for them.
She is so happy to be part of this amazing place!