Bus Driver Marliss Atchison

     Information, please! Karen Smith

John Ingram

 jningram1 @ juno.com *

A native of Ferrum, VA, Senior Pastor John Ingram, affectionately called "Brother John," grew up in a Christian home and attended an independent church called House of Prayer. After graduation from high school in 1967, he spent six years in the Virginia National Guard. His spiritual journey began at the age of 20, when he was soundly convicted and forever changed by Christ.

Two years later, married to Dorothy and employed by a large textile corporation, he felt in his inner person that God, through the combination of everything he was experiencing at that time, was calling him into the ministry. He surrendered to God's leading and made his decision public. The church congregation immediately approved and invited him to preach his first sermon three weeks from that date.

He soon became an assistant to the pastor, then began preaching messages for morning worship and eventually, when the pastor retired, became the full-time pastor. God ministered through him to House of Prayer for a total of 26 years!

Feeling that his ministry there was fulfilled, he responded and came to the Bible Methodist Church in Stanton, AL, when it needed a pastor. He is glad that he came in June 1998 because he has thoroughly enjoyed his ministry and God's blessings here.

Although Brother John never attended seminary, throughout his adult life he has dedicated himself to studying the Scriptures and seeking the most effective means and methods of ministry.

Brother John and his wife, Dorothy, have been married since 1969. They have 2 children--a son and a daughter, and delight in 6 grandchildren. He enjoys woodworking, landscaping, playing softball and riding his motorcycle. (Would you like to see one of his finished woodworking products?)

Kathie Payne Clark

 cubebo1 @ bellsouth.net *

Kathie Clark (pictured with her son, Matthew) resided in the Maplesville-Stanton communities, attending the Stanton Bible Methodist Church during her childhood and teen years. She was married in 1982 to Jonathan Clark, at which time they established their home in Selma, AL. Their first child, Matthew, brought such joy to their household in 1989 and then God’s blessings fell upon their family again with the birth of their daughter, Kandice, in 1991. They were faithful members of the Wesleyan Church in Selma, AL, until its closure in 2000. They then began attending the Selma Bible Methodist Church. In 2002, however, their lives were touched by the sting of death when Jonathan lost his life in an auto accident. In a few short months following his death, Kathie and her children felt the need to be close to family in the Maplesville-Stanton communities. Thus, they began attending Kathie's “home church” in Stanton.

Just a couple of years ago, God entrusted Kathie with the awesome privilege, yet tremendous responsibility, to begin working with the children in the church as the “Children’s Church” Director. She says, "I am so indebted to those who instructed me as a small child and planted the seed in my heart to live for God.  My deep desire is to be a loving and faithful 'shepherd' to the 'little lambs' that God has entrusted to my care. 'Touch, flow, and love through me, Holy Spirit,' is my heart’s cry!"

Brenda was born in Selma and raised off and on in the Stanton community, but traveled throughout the country with her father in the Air Force. She graduated high school in Pemberton, NJ, and then returned back home to Stanton to attend the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa where she received a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. She met her future husband Butch Barker while living in Tuscaloosa, and they married a few years later.  They began their family together and 3 years later they welcomed a precious gift from God in their son, Taylor, born in 1986. Two years later God blessed them with a daughter, Michelle. Brenda was raised in this church and answered the call to serve Jesus on a full-time basis in 1998.

Brenda currently lives in the family home of her great grandmother, Allison Burt, just down the road from the church. She works at home as a medical transcriptionist and stays very active with the youth of our church. She plans many of the fundraisers and activities/trips for the youth. She is also an adult Sunday school teacher. She finds great enjoyment in hosting the youth for many theme-oriented activities on Saturday evenings in her home.

More recent events in her life include the addition of a beautiful daughter-in-law and granddaughter Kaylee, who was born in 2006.

Marliss was born in Anchorage, AK, but came to Stanton at 19 days of age to live with her grandmother, a member of Stanton Bible Methodist Church, who lived down the road from the church. Her grandmother was a devout Christian and the most influential person in her life. When Marliss was 6 years old, her father was stationed in Goose Creek, SC, and she rejoined her family. She and her family moved around due to her father’s military service, but in 1977, she returned to Stanton to live with her grandmother. Her family soon followed when her father, born and raised in Stanton, retired from the military.

In 1979, Marliss married Henry Atchison, and they were blessed with two sons, Jeremy in 1984 and Matthew in 1987. Jeremy is now married to his wife Rebecca and lives next door. He is the Sunday School Superintendent at the Stanton Bible Methodist Church and is employed in the IT field. Rebecca is a Sunday school teacher at our church and works at a pediatrician’s office. Matthew was diagnosed with ataxic cerebral palsy at age 3 and still lives at home with his parents. He is very attached to his older brother who is a true “big brother” to him. It is never quiet when those two get together!

Marliss has been a medical transcriptionist for the past 28 years, able to work from home and take care of Matthew. Henry has been an A/C technician for the past 34 years. Even though their boys are now adults, Marliss and Henry are very active with the youth of the church and host youth events at their house as much as possible to enjoy the energy and enthusiasm of the youth.

What a blessing Marliss and her family are to our lives and our church! Their love of the Lord is evident at every church service and youth event.

Karen (pictured with her son, Keaton) has lived in the Stanton community her entire life. She is married to Tony Smith, and they have one son, Keaton.

Karen grew up attending the Stanton Bible Methodist Church, which her grandfather, Rev. Stanley Kendall, once pastored. Now she serves the church through teaching the Jr. Sunday School Class, assisting with Children’s Church, and producing the weekly bulletins distributed each Sunday morning.

Her desire is to let her light always be shining for Jesus.

Church is located on AL Hwy 22, approximately 22 miles from I-65, 2.4 miles south of US 82 junction.