"We look forward to the time when the Power of Love
will replace the Love of Power.
Then will our world know the blessings of peace."
William Gladstone

Russ and Amy Jacks Dean, Pastors

Coming to Park Road Baptist in October of 2000 fulfilled a life-long dream for Russ and Amy to combine their God-given talents and pastor together in a shared ministry. Prior to 2000, Russ and Amy Jacks Dean had a combined 28 years of ministerial experience. They are both ordained Baptist ministers and served in separate staff roles in congregations in Laurens, South Carolina, and Clemson, South Carolina, and in separate churches in Birmingham, Alabama.

Russ is known for relational skills, preaching ability and administration. Amy has an extensive background in social ministries and pastoral skills and, like Russ, is an excellent preacher. In addition to their strong skill sets, Amy and Russ bring energy, vision and a focus on family.

Amy and Russ find their true happiness in family. Aside from being proud of one another and their 20-year strong marriage, their faces fill with delight when they mention their two boys, Jackson (9) and Bennett (7). Often they take Jackson and Bennett with them to the hospital or nursing home for visits. They feel strongly about the meaning of church as family and how important it is to live out those words. In their spare time, you will find them camping, hiking and water skiing.

For copies of sermons by Russ and Amy Jacks Dean, see our sermon archive, The Park Road Pulpit. Or read more about the Shared Pastoral Ministry Network.

Anne Hunter Eidson, Minister of Music

Anne Hunter Eidson came to Park Road in March, 2004. She brings 22 years of experience in music ministry and a passion for helping people of all ages develop their musical abilities. She has served churches in North Carolina and Virginia as well as teaching as an adjunctive professor in both college and seminary settings.

Anne feels strongly that church music should emphasize making the highest quality music possible with its motivation being the worship of God. She brings energy, devotion and enthusiasm to our worship services where the music is primarily classical. She enjoys expanding this rich tradition with multiple genres of music that combine dignity and spirit such as global, early American, and jazz. Using creativity to help many types of people experience the joy of music and authentic worship is profoundly meaningful to Anne.

Anne has been married to Jonathan Eidson (who also has an extensive background in church ministry) for 17 years. They find sharing the adventure of life's journey with each other and their two children, Josh (13) and Allie (9) to be deeply satisfying. In their home one of the following is usually being enjoyed at any moment: music, sports, laughter and/or reading. They greatly appreciate the rich community found in being part of the larger family of Park Road Baptist Church.

Michael Kellett, Minister with Youth and Children

In August 2005, Michael Kellett joined PRBC as the Minister with Youth and Children. His background includes a Master of Divinity from the Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond and service with youth and children at several Virginia congregations. However, Michael’s love and appreciation for youth and children began before seminary as an 8th grade science teacher and a football, basketball, and baseball coach.

Michael’s title emphasizes his understanding of ministry – that children and youth have gifts and talents to be able to minister in their own settings – be that with other children, youth, or adults. Michael believes his role is to be an encourager who helps youth/children develop the gifts they already possess in order to live out the ministry of Jesus Christ. Due to Michael’s fun-loving and energetic spirit, youth and children quickly begin to share his enthusiasm.

Fitting to his flamboyant personality, Michael is married to an exuberant red-head - Christine and has a red-headed son – West (born in August 2005) and a red-headed daughter – Mattie (born in August 2007). Christine also has an extensive background in Christian education and will soon be a seminary graduate. With Christine’s interests lying in music and Michael’s in sports, they have stretched one another to enjoy activities outside of their comfort zones. As with most people, they continue to learn how to balance family with full-time ministry!

Park Road Baptist Church Staff

Lay Leadership: The People as Pastors

In the Baptist denomination, each church is free to establish its own governance. The church is “for the people” and ultimately governed by its members. Park Road Baptist is designed into a committee structure and led by Mission Deacons. A church conference is held each quarter for reports from Leadership Committees and church votes on necessary actions. See What’s Happening to view current Leadership Committee reports.

Park Road’s Leadership Committees include: Administration, Child Development Center, Education, Music and Worship Support, Membership Care, Personnel, and Stewardship Development. Members are elected to three year committee terms.

Mission Deacons are appointed by the Chair of the Diaconate and serve one-year terms. Mission Deacons are both servants to and visionaries for the congregation. Each Mission Deacon is responsible for a number of families within the congregation, and, representing each of our leadership committees, Mission Deacons now serve as a short-term visioning council, seeking to discern God’s call for this congregation, specifically as it relates to our response to the larger community.