Dr. John A. Temple
Senior Pastor
Since 2006, it has been my pleasure to pastor the family at PSDBC. I am a Baptist by choice, having been reared in another denomination in my early years. I accepted Christ as my Savior at age ten and realized God’s call into ministry soon thereafter. I gave my first “talk” at age eleven and have served in some capacity in the local church since 1970.
According to Ephesians 4:11-13, I believe God has me equipping saints for the work of ministry. I enjoy investing in the lives of others and watching them find their places of service. I have written several books on the concept of mobilizing laity in service and frequently serve as conference leader for LifeWay and other denominational organizations.
Donna and I have been married for 37 years and counting. Donna is a wonderful pastor’s wife and very supportive of all the work. We have two great boys, Shawn and Andrew. Andrew has brought us a new daughter-in-law, Amy, who has made a great addition to our family.
Outside the work, most of my hobbies deal with outdoors. I enjoy motorcycles, hunting, and fishing. In addition, my ministry outside the church is to serve as the chaplain of the Meridian Police Department.
I have served many great churches, but Poplar Springs Drive Baptist Church has been the most unified and supporting fellowship I have ever served. I look forward to the days ahead as God directs our fellowship to serve Him!
Rev. Aubry Martin
Minister of Education/Administration
Born and raised in Calhoun City, MS by godly parents. Accepted Jesus as personal Lord and Savior as a young boy and committed my life to full time service as a teenager. Graduated from Mississippi State University in 1979 with a Parks and Recreation Degree and worked for Corps of Engineers. Surrendered to the ministry in 1981 and graduated from New Orleans Theological Seminary in 1984.
Pastored two churches and served as Minister of Education for the last eighteen years with three churches, arriving in Meridian 2009. Married to Sandra Galbreath from Natchez, MS in 1977 and have four grown children (two sons and two daughters) and four grand-girls. Passions include serving Christ, family, football, computers, and genealogy.
Michael Gibson
Minister of Music
Michael, along with his wife Danyell and their daughter Anna Jane, began his work as Bi-Vocational Minister of Music at PSDBC in January 2009. Michael began his music ministry at the age of 10 when he began playing the organ and piano in church. He continued to play for church until accepting his first part-time Minister of Music position in 1996. Over the past 13 years, Michael has had the opportunity to grow and find true joy in the art of church music.
A native of Sandersville, Mississippi, Michael is a graduate of Jones Junior College. While at Jones, he was involved in several organizations including the Jones Concert Choir and madrigals and also served as accompanist for the Gospels Ensemble. Michael also graduated from Mississippi State University where he received a degree in Business Administration. In addition to his music ministry, Michael serves as Vice President at Great Southern National Bank.
Lance Word
Minister of Youth/Youth Music
Lance began his service as Youth/Youth Music minister in June, 2002. Lance has been in youth ministry for twenty-four years, and in music ministry for twenty-seven years.
Lance holds a music degree from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee and a youth degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
Lance’s wife, Jodi, also holds a degree from Southwestern Seminary and another from Texas Tech University. Jodi teaches high school Bible, Spanish, drama, and journalism at Calvary Christian School. Lance and Jodi are blessed with two children, Will and Joanna. The theme for Lance’s life is Give GOD Glory!
Regina Wetzstein
Director of Children Ministries
Regina and her family relocated to Meridian in 2005 and became a part of the PSDBC family.
Regina’s husband, Tom, is in the U.S. Navy and is currently deployed to Afghanastan. They have two children, Branson, 14, and Bailey, 10.
Marjie Seal
Director of Preschool Ministries
Marjie was born and raised in Pearl River County (Ford’s Creek community) near Poplarville, MS and grew up attending Murray Hill Church of God. After graduating from Poplarville High School, she married Bryan Seal in June 1978 and worked as a doctor’s assistant while Bryan attended college. During the time Marjie and Bryan were living in Starkville, MS, Marjie accepted Christ as her savior and was baptized at Calvary Baptist Church in the spring of 1981. In 1982, Marjie earned her “PHT” (Put Hubby Through) from Mississippi State. Marjie and Bryan became active in church life while living in Hattiesburg in the early 1980s while members of 19th Ave. Baptist Church. After relocating to Gulfport in the mid-1980s, Marjie began her pre-school ministry at Handsboro Baptist Church. Upon moving to Meridian, Marjie and Bryan joined PSDBC in November 1989. In 1992, Marjie joined the PSDBC staff as part of the Pre-school ministry and has served as Director of Pre-school Ministries since 1999. Marjie attended Gulf Coast Community College and Meridian Community College where she studied pre-nursing.
Marjie and Bryan are the parents of Jeremiah (wife Grace Ann Watkins Seal), Megan (husband Mark Walters), and Ethan. They are the grandparents of Abigail Walters.
Her favorite scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” NIV
Marjie’s hobbies and interest are spending time with her family and traveling.
