Academy for Christian Formation
West Virginia Baptist Convention
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CHURCH STAFF
Dr. Dennis L. Johnson, Sr. Minister Dr. Johnson is a native of Illinois and he came with his wife Holly and daughter Megan to Baptist Temple from Wheaton, Illinois in 1995, after serving twenty years as Senior Minister in two metropolitan Chicago congregations. His undergraduate degree is in fine arts with a drama concentration, and he received divinity and doctorate degrees from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also served on the board of trustees of the seminary and was an adjunct faculty member in preaching. Dr. Johnson focuses his ministry on spiritual formation of believers and vital worship by the congregation. He has a special focus on traditional Irish/Celtic spirituality. He often refers to himself as a bridge-builder. As such, his community activities have included serving on the Charleston Human Rights Commission, and finding ways to address matters of racism and violence, two of his particular concerns. His commitment to building bridges within our Baptist family globally and locally is reflected by his service in various capacities with the Baptist World Alliance, the American Baptist Churches, USA, and the West Virginia Baptist Convention. Dr. Johnson is the Field Education Supervisor of Palmer Theological Seminary's extension program in West Virginia and serves as parliamentarian for the General Board of the American Baptist Churches USA. Bridging theology and literature, faith and the arts, spirituality and healing are also areas of interest for Dennis. He and Holly frequently host European tour groups to such places as Ireland, Italy and the UK. In the fall of 2011we are hosting a group to France.
Sharon F. Iskra, Director of Children's Ministries Sharon F. Iskra graduated from Baylor University in 1991 with a degree in Journalism and Speech Communication. She then attended Wake Forest University School of Law, graduating in 1994. She worked as a trial lawyer for nine years. She also worked for two years as a law clerk to U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary E. Stanley. Sharon is married to Eric Iskra, whom she met in law school and who currently practices law at Spilman, Thomas, and Battle, P.L.L.C. The couple has two young children, Hannah and Ian. How Sharon wound up leading Children’s Ministry can only be described as a calling! She explains, “I was perfectly happy in my legal job. I wasn’t looking for a change. But God made it clear that He wanted me working in Children’s Ministry at Baptist Temple. His Word says He will give us all we need to do His will....and He certainly has.” Sharon left her career and became a permanent staff member in October, 2006. True to His promise, God has blessed her with boundless energy, a creative and adventurous mind, and a heart that overflows with love for all children. She has extended Children’s Ministry beyond those in Baptist Temple’s pews to students at New Beginnings Preschool and to PRO-Kids, Inc., ministering regularly to both. She leads children in worship activities each Wednesday evening "Ways to Praise", plans monthly special events and outings for children and families, and oversees the church nursery and Sunday School programs. For more information about programs and upcoming children’s events, please visit the Children’s Ministries page.
Mike Lacy, Director of Youth Ministries
Mike recently returned to the Charleston area after spending three years in Dallas, TX where he graduated from Christ for the Nations Institute with a Bachelor's Degree in Advanced Practical Ministry. Mike currently works for Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure as a VOC Technician. Mike has worked in music and youth ministry since 2002 and he has also been on 6 overseas mission trips including three trips to Guatemala. Mike's vision is to train and equip young people through mentorship and investment. Mike is very excited for the opportunity he has to be a part of the Baptist Temple.
Eddie
Bucklen, Director of Music and Arts Ministries Eddie is a lifelong resident of Charleston and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from The University of Charleston. He is a Vice-President and Financial Center Leader for BB&T, a board member for the South Charleston Sanitary Board, a member of the South Charleston Rotary and Chamber of Commerce, serves on the Thomas Memorial Hospital Appropriations Committee and is a member of the American Guild of Organists. He is married and has three sons. Eddie has been a church musician in the Kanawha Valley for over twenty-five years, serving in various denominations as organist and/or director of music. Eddie regards his role of Music Director as a calling and continually strives to present God-honoring and inspirational music for all worship services.
Barbara Reynolds is retired as Commissioner of the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services, with 33 years experience working with State and Federal programs for aging population. She has worked as a church musician since Junior High School and teaches piano privately. She has edited two books: Introduction to Public Policy; An Aging Perspective (1996, University Press of America) and Choral Repertoire (2009, Oxford University Press). Barbara holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, and a Master of Arts in Humanities from Marshall University.
Paulette "Polly" Robson, Administrative Assistant
Julia Fleshman, member of Baptist Temple, has served as our faithful Church Secretary/Receptionist since September 2000. Julia's duties include brightening your day with a smile, answering and routing your telephone call, taking your reservation for various activities, recording your attendance and prayer requests, and so much more! Prior to coming to Baptist Temple, she attended Garnet Adult Career Center where she received her clerical certificate. In addition, she received a medical secretarial diploma from the Putnam Career and Technical Center. She is married to Bill Fleshman, and has two children, Mary Dale and Jamie. Julia loves spending time with both her family and her extended church family. She is an avid reader, also likes to write poetry, stories, songs, and will always be happy to pray for you. A quick P.S. She ALSO has two grandchildren, Willa and Owen Hudson!
Nancy C. Adkins, Business Administrator Nancy Adkins has served as the Business Administrator at Baptist Temple since July, 1999. Even though she was born in Charleston, WV, she spent many years growing up in Florida. She graduated with a BA degree in Business Management and Marketing. Before coming on staff at Baptist Temple, she spent 17 years in the banking industry and 8 years as a college administrator. She lives in Scott Depot with her husband Winston and has 3 grown children Amy, Kelly and Joseph. Nancy has been recently elected to serve on the National Board for AB Women's Ministries. In addition to being active in Women's Ministries, another passion she has is being a community event coordinator. Every year she coordinates an event that consists of several churches going together into the Community of Amandaville to help spread the gospel of Christ. She loves the people of Baptist Temple and appreciates the fact that Baptist Temple has always been a pioneer and leader of other churches in ministry, especially Women's Ministries.
Jane Rothman was born and raised in Columbus Ohio. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1977. She has worked as a preschool teacher since 1991, teaching 3 year olds, 4 year olds, and 5 year olds. In June of 2005, she began her job at Charleston Baptist Temple's New Beginnings Preschool as a teacher of 5 year olds and director. In her spare time, Jane enjoys volunteering at animal shelters as a dog walker, reading, and going out to eat. Jane is married to Ed Rothman, a geologist. They have two grown daughters, Amy and Sara, and three dogs who will never grow up!
Greg Reynolds was born and raised in Ripley, West Virginia. He attended Roane Jackson Technical Center with a certificate in Electrical trades. Greg also works part time for Kanawha County Board of Education. Greg is married to Chriceous (Cricket), and they have two children, Brenden and Trenton. Greg is an avid fisherman and deer hunter.
For comments or questions to this web site, please e-mail the poleguenia@chasbt.org
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Bobby
Reynolds, Organist
Polly
graduated from Hurricane High School and has attended various classes at
West Virginia State University. Polly is married to George
H. Robson, Jr., who is employed with the City of Charleston Traffic
Engineering Department, and has two daughters, Mary and Meredith. Polly
has a real estate background.
She is the coordinator of the Lighthouse Cafe which is an outreach
ministry for Baptist Temple. Polly maintains the Baptist Temple website along
with her other responsibilities. Also, along with her husband, George,
she records and duplicates the Sunday morning Worship Service which is
distributed to visitors and shut ins for any church member and friend
in need of the service, Polly is a Notary. 
Julia J. Fleshman,Church Secretary
Jane
Rothman, Director, New Beginnings
Preschool
Greg
Reynolds, Lead Custodian