Church Leadership

Pastor Matt Booher

2 Timothy 2:4 “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

Pastor Matt Booher and his family followed the leading of the Lord to Jackson County Baptist Church in September of 2019. ​

He was saved as a young boy, but did not grow up in a home that went to church or showed any interest in God. At the age of 15, his parents separated, and he moved to Ft. Myers, FL. There he began attending Emmanuel Baptist Church. As he began attending church and hearing the Bible taught, his life was drastically changed! In high school, God called him into the ministry and upon graduation he attended The Crown College in Powell, TN. As a missions major he was able to visit the Philippines and spend a 5 week internship on the island of Tinian. He finished college earning both a Bachelor of Biblical Studies degree and a Master of Ministry degree.

After college he returned to Ft. Myers to work on staff for his Pastor, Richard E. Riley. For the next 7 years, he was able to lead the youth department, work in the Christian school, and coach basketball and flag football. After the homegoing of Pastor Riley, he followed the leading of the Lord to assume the pastorate of Emmanuel Baptist Church. He was the pastor of EBC for 11 years before God led him to Jefferson, GA.

Outside of his relationship to God, the most important thing to Pastor is his family. He and Laura met in high school and have been married since 2000. They love their three children: Kaleb, Kaleigh and Karson. Besides his responsibilities at church and at home, Pastor enjoys watching football and tinkering on the 1971 Plymouth Satellite his dad gave him.

Dr. Jack Lawson | Pastor Emeritus

Titus 2:13: “Looking for the blessed hope…”

Pastor Jack Lawson was saved at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Oxford, Georgia on April 21, 1968. He was called to preach at the same church in January of 1970 and licensed by them later that year. He was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel in February of 1972 by the Baptist Tabernacle in Covington and has faithfully served in ministry for over 46 years.

In May of 2010, God led Pastor Lawson, along with a group of like-minded Christians, to start a new church in Jefferson, Georgia. With Corinth Baptist Church in Loganville, Georgia as their sending authority, Jackson County Baptist Church was constituted on July 11, 2010.

Pastor Jack and his wife Renee have been married for over 57 years. They have two daugthers, Cheryl and Lisa, along with two sons-in-law, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Ben Tanner | Assistant Pastor

Ben was saved at 7 years old during a Sunday evening service at Murrayville Baptist Church. Grace was further extended to him as he was raised in a Pastor’s home by parents who loved Jesus and lived a consistent Christian life. At 16, Ben was called to the ministry and had the honor of preaching in nursing homes, jails, and youth meetings. Over the last decade, Ben has had the privilege of serving as a pastor and remains committed to serving Christ faithfully. Ben and his wife Cassie have been blessed in their marriage and are the proud parents of three wonderful children: Abishai, Areli, and Eli.

Bro. Freddie Smith | Music Director

Psalms 92:1: “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy Name, O most high.”

On August 21st of 1975, Freddie called on Jesus to save him and He did just that. What a wonderful Savior! Freddie is thankful that Christ has led him, guided him, loved him, and blessed him beyond measure. Over the years, Freddie has been allowed me to serve his Lord in different settings, but the area in which he has been so blessed to be involved in is music. When the Lord called Freddie to serve at Jackson County Baptist Church in 2017, it was a true blessing. It is his prayer that he will serve Him with his whole heart. To God be the glory!

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