Leadership

Hometown: Mobile, AL
Favorite Food: Chili
Favorite Bible Verse: Psalm 103:11-12
Coolest Place you have ever been: Reykjavik, Iceland

Favorite thing to do in Haywood County: Ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway

#1 Bucket list item: See the Northern Lights

Josh Blight began his pastorate of Antioch Baptist Church October 1, 2023. His ministry objectives are to equip the church through the application of God’s Word, promote growth in relationships with Him, disciple believers and share the Gospel with the lost.

Josh earned a BS in psychology and a minor in business administration from the University of Alabama in 2012, and a master’s of missiology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 2016.
Josh has served in several church positions since 2012 including, associate pastor of students and families at Calvary Baptist Church in Greenwood, Indiana; middle school pastor at Thomasville Road Baptist Church in Tallahassee, Florida; and most recently as pastor of outreach and administration at Thomasville Road Baptist Church.

Josh is a people first, application-oriented pastor. He loves seeing people’s lives changed by God’s Word when they actually understand and apply it to their lives. His desire is for each person to not just know God, but to have an active relationship with Him. Connecting with people and building relationships with them is his natural personality and is very important to him.
Josh is married to his loving and supportive wife Katie, and they have two children – Abbie Kate and Boaz. Josh loves spending time with and getting to know people, especially over a meal. Out of this, he enjoys cooking and trying new foods. For fun, he also enjoys playing disc golf and loves introducing it to new people. Lastly, he hopes you will become a part of the Antioch Baptist Church family, and looks forward to the stories of how God is and has worked in your life.

Hometown: Orangeburg, SC
Favorite Food : Snow Crab Legs and Lobster
Favorite Bible Verse: Jeremiah 29:11

Coolest Place you have ever been: The Ark in Williamsburg, Kentucky

Coolest thing I enjoy: Boggie Boarding the ocean waves for hours

Favorite thing to do in Haywood County: sitting on my front porch watching the beautiful mountains change in each season

#1 Bucket list item: visit the Holy Land

A native of South Carolina, Robin Watkins has served as Children’s Director since October 2011. She previously taught school and worked in various churches. She is a graduate of Anderson College and the University of South Carolina. She has an Associate Degree in ministry from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

She leads children birth through fifth grade in learning Biblical truths through Bible study, discipleship training, AWANA, Bible Club, music, and special events. She is married to Ken Watkins, who helps her in every aspect of children’s ministry. Together they have five children and five grandchildren.

Jesus viewed children as a valuable part of the Kingdom of God as do we at Antioch. Children are welcomed and loved here.

Mark 10:15-16; Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them and blessed them. 

Hometown-I grew up in Ironduff and Antioch Baptist

Favorite Food by far is Mexican! I do love Caribbean fare as well! (a little spicy but its soo worth it)

Coolest place I have been is hard to say, but probably ziplining through the rain forest in St Lucia with my family( and yes, we saw Boa constrictors and tarantulas)

I love cruising because I can go to so many different places and do many different things!
Bucket list for me would be to visit Greece and Italy

A good day in Haywood Co for me would be anything with my family! (That means it’s a lake, golf course or basketball court) I’m a proud mom of two boys that keeps life interesting!

God has truly blessed me with a wonderful husband and boys!

My favorite verse that I look at everyday would be Jeremiah 29:11

Miranda Russell is a lifelong member of Antioch Baptist Church and has been Office Administrator since March 2020.
She earned a dental assisting certificate from AB Tech in 1996 and worked as a dental assistant until she had her children.
Miranda has been married to her husband, Jeremiah for over 20 years, and they have two sons, Logan and Levi. She enjoys spending time with her family and her work at the church.