A.J. is the newest staff member at ISBC. He was voted in on February 14th 2010. He is finishing an Associate’s degree in education at Tulsa Community College. He plans to transfer to Northeastern State University to get a Bachelor’s degree in education. He also plans to attend Seminary at Oklahoma Baptist University.
A.J. has served as an intern at Southeast Freewill Baptist and a music intern at Memorial Baptist Church. He has served in many youth groups as small group leader and sponsor. He leads a worship band, Jonah Tree, who leads worship for youth camps and retreats. A.J. is involved in two college ministries. One college ministry is called “The Hub” which is focused on College students having a time of worship and the gospel. A.J. is the head worship leader for this ministry. A.J. is also a part of BCM at TCC, Baptist Collegiate Ministries at Tulsa Community College, where he often leads worship and is a part of the leadership team.
A.J. resides in Bixby Oklahoma and rooms with his roommate and good friend, Isaiah Edison, who is an agent for New York Life Insurance Company and small group leader at Grace Church. A.J. is in a relationship of over 4 years with Ashley Watson. Ashley and A.J. have known each other since 7th grade and have dated since high school. Marriage is in their future but no engagement yet. Ashley is very active in the youth ministry at ISBC but is a member at Garnett Road Baptist Church, where she teaches Sunday school every Sunday morning.
A.J. enjoys the quote, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” When A.J. was first called to ISBC, November of 2009, it was to lead worship. God was quick to show A.J. that he was meant to be in youth ministry, not music ministry. In the first four months of being Youth Minister A.J. has taken the youth to three concerts, paintball, girl’s retreat, a mission trip to Arlington, Tx where they also attended Six Flags, Disipleship Now weekend, and a Lock-In. His primary focus for the Youth is to build relationships with each other and to be disciples in their schools. There will be many activities for the Youth of ISBC, but most importantly, opportunities to serve Christ and grow their relationship with him.
E-mail A.J.