Our Pastor

Paul W. Downey has been our pastor since the summer of 1998. Originally from Indiana, he and his family came to Athens by way of Trinity Bible Church in Rock Hill, SC, where he served as minister of music and taught in the Christian high school from 1980-89, and Bible Baptist Church in Kreamer, PA, (1989-98) where he served as senior pastor. His training includes a Bachelor of Science degree in music education from Pensacola Christian College (1979), a Master of Ministry degree (1991), a Doctor of Biblical Studies degree (1994), and a Ph.D. in Religion (2003) from Bethany Divinity College and Theological Seminary in Dothan, AL.

Dr. Downey’s wife, Sherry, is a native of Rock Hill, SC. She holds a degree in Elementary Education from Pensacola Christian College and has over twenty years experience teaching lower elementary school. Sherry is active in the church music program, helps in the nursery, and leads a monthly ladies Bible study group. The Downeys have two grown children, Brittany and Brandon.

Dr. Downey is also a conference speaker and author. As a member of the Text and Translation Committee, he co-wrote and edited From the Mind of God to the Mind of Man: A Layman’s Guide to How We Got Our Bible, (Ambassador-Emerald, Greenville, SC, 1999) and God’s Word in Our Hands, (Ambassador-Emerald, 2003). He is also the author of More Than Spectators: Fulfilling Your Role in the Local Church, (Ambassador-Emerald, 2002), A Life of Conquest: Studies in Joshua, (BJU Press, 2006), Trusting God When Life Is Hard: A Fresh Look at the Life of Jacob (BJU Press, 2009) and contributes occasional articles for Frontline Magazine.

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