Our Team
Pastoral Staff
Gary Spooner- Pastor
Pastor of Covenant Church since January 1986, Gary leads the church in pastoral leadership, preaching, and prayer. Gary graduated from the University of Georgia and Reformed Theological Seminary. During seminary, he helped establish a new Presbyterian church near the school and served as co-pastor of that church until 1980. He pastored at Trinity Presbyterian in Dothan, Alabama, before being called to Auburn. Gary and Jill seek to glorify and delight in God in the their marriage, as parents, and as leaders in the Auburn community.
Rick Stark - Associate Pastor
Rick shepherds the church in community outreach, assimilation, and discipleship with preaching and teaching. He earned a Business Administration degree from Southeastern Louisiana University (’81), a certificate of Biblical Studies from The International School of Theology (’93) and a Masters of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary (’01). Rick has served as assistant pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church - Jackson, MS (’02-’07) and with Athletes In Action, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ (’82-’01). Rick and Betsy have been blessed with four children. The Stark’s vision for their life together is to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, worship Him in spirit and truth, and joyfully invest their lives toward the fulfillment of Christ’s Great Commission.
David Dobbs - Pastor of Youth and Families
David and his wife, Helen, moved to Auburn from Southhaven, Mississippi where he served as youth minister at Graceview Presbyterian Church.
"Since I was at RTS (Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, MS), I have felt a strong call to youth ministry," writes David. "I believe that God has uniquely gifted me in this area, and that I have dedicated my life to this purpose. You can be assured that I am passionate about my job as I do not view it as a mere stepping stone to the pastorate. I love working with kids of all ages and have both experience and a seminary education. God has also given me a wife who is a gifted partner in this ministry and shares the same vision, goals, and joy that I have in working with youth."
David is 34 years old and attended Mississippi State University. He already has 16 years of experience working with youth through Christian camp programs and youth ministries. David's hobbies are playing all sports, particularly tennis, ultimate Frisbee, and chess.
Reformed University Fellowship
Richard Vise
Our Elders
Steve Dowling
Dick Hoisington
Elbert Lee
Jon McDonald
Bob Norman
David Rouse
Steve Shiflett
Gary Spooner
Rick Stark
Tom Tillman
Our Deacons and their Areas of Ministry
Kitchen - Ron Anders, Chairman
Building and Grounds - Jack Johnson
Ottis Stephenson
Tom Wadsworth
Logistics - Bret Missildine, Chris Cornett
Nursery - Jeff Shiflett, Harry Ward
Mercy - Jack Manifold, John Toney
Finance - Treasurer - Scott Tippins
Assistant Treasurer - Bret Missildine
Chris Cornett
Secretary - Ottis Stephenson
Our Staff
Church Secretary - Gloria Jackson
Our Ministry Team Leaders
Children’s Church Coordinator - Janet Wadsworth
Nursery Coordinator - Laura Dowling
Missions Team - Steve Shiflett
Women in the Church WIC - Susan Shiflett - Acting Director
WIC Board
Jennifer Cornett
Dana Lee
Beth Slay
Susan Speakman
Worship and Music - Robin Durbin
Musicians
Betty Norman - Organ
Jane Patterson - Piano
Worship Team
Karen Dowling
Katie Durbin
Rita Grub
Amanda Missildine
Stuart Spooner
Robert Taber
Stephen Torri
Ethan Toney
Covenant Presbyterian Christian School
Kim Toney - Home School Network Coordinator