church staff

Dr. Johnson is a native of Illinois and he came with his wife Holly and daughter Megan to Baptist Temple from Wheaton, Illinois in 1995, after serving twenty years as Senior Minister in two metropolitan Chicago congregations. His undergraduate degree is in fine arts with a drama concentration, and he received divinity and doctorate degrees from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also served on the board of trustees of the seminary and was an adjunct faculty member in preaching. Dr. Johnson focuses his ministry on spiritual formation of believers and vital worship by the congregation. He often refers to himself as a bridge-builder. As such, his community activities include serving on the Charleston Human Rights Commission, and finding ways to address matters of racism and violence, two of his particular concerns. His commitment to building bridges within our Baptist family globally and locally is reflected by his service in various capacities with the Baptist World Alliance, the American Baptist Churches, USA, and the West Virginia Baptist Convention. Dr. Johnson is the Field Education Supervisor of Palmer Theological Seminary's extension program in West Virginia and has joined the Board of Trustees at Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia. Bridging theology and literature, faith and the arts, spirituality and healing are also areas of interest for Dennis.

revdrj@chasbt.org

Rev. Snedegar, Adult Ministries

Rev. Archie Snedegar and his wife Linda have four children and ten grandchildren. Having received God's call to ministry in 1954 at age 17, Rev. Snedegar has been in ministry for 50 years. He graduated in 1959 from Morris Harvey College with a B.S. in Secondary Education. He later graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1963 with a Master of Divinity degree. Archie and Linda have grown roses for 17 years and have various national awards. Archie also likes to play tennis and golf.

Randy S. Bratka, Director of Youth & Young Adults Ministries,
Administrative Assistant and Notary Public Randal "Randy" Bratka serves as our Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries and also Administrative Assistant and takes care of scheduling building events, publishing church bulletins and performing many other responsibilities. Randy has been Dr. Dennis Johnson's secretary for over five years now and has been a member of Baptist Temple for over four years. He works closely with the Board of Christian Education, serves members of our congregation as a Notary Public, teaches the Senior High Sunday School Class, is a Chancel Choir member, and occasionally makes announcements and does Children's Conversations during our Sunday services. He attended Marshall University for four years and majored in Humanities with a minor in Religious Studies, but put off finishing his degree to start a family. He is currently pursuing a seminary degree (M. Div.) through Palmer Theological Seminary's (formerly Eastern Baptist)Extension Program held at Parchment Valley. Randy has two beautiful children (Victoria & Joshua). He views his position at Baptist Temple as a gift, a calling, and a service to his fellow church members and a preliminary experience to his becoming a pastor in thefuture.

randy1@chasbt.org

Sharon F. Iskra, Children's Ministries Sharon F. Iskra graduated from Baylor University in 1991 with a degree in Journalism and Speech Communication. She then attended Wake Forest University School of Law, graduating in 1994. She worked as a trial lawyer for nine years. She also worked for two years as a law clerk to U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary E. Stanley. Sharon is married to Eric Iskra, whom she met in law school and who currently practices law at Spilman, Thomas, and Battle, P.L.L.C. The couple has two young children, Hannah and Ian.

How Sharon wound up leading Children’s Ministry can only be described as a calling! She explains, “I was perfectly happy in my legal job. I wasn’t looking for a change. But God made it clear that He wanted me working in Children’s Ministry at Baptist Temple. His Word says He will give us all we need to do His will....and He certainly has.” Sharon left her career and became a permanent staff member in October, 2006. True to His promise, God has blessed her with boundless energy, a creative and adventurous mind, and a heart that overflows with love for all children. She has extended Children’s Ministry beyond those in Baptist Temple’s pews to students at New Beginnings Preschool and to PRO-Kids, Inc., ministering regularly to both. She leads children in worship activities each Wednesday evening, plans monthly special events and outings for children and families, and oversees the church nursery and Sunday School programs. For more information about programs and upcoming children’s events, please visit the Children’s Ministries page.

Branita A. Holbrook, Associate in Music and Arts Ministries From West Virginia, Branita Holbrook, Vocal Soloist/Accompanist and Coach, is a graduate of Marshall University holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Vocal Performance with a Piano Minor. In 1997, she completed her Master’s Degree at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY where she holds a degree in Church Music and Vocal Performance.

As Associate in Music and Arts, Branita is Music Director for the Chancel Choir, Youth and Children’s Choirs, Temple Instrumental Musicians, Pre-School Choirs and Pro-Kid’s. She also leads the music for the 8:45 morning worship.

Branita has served churches in West Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina as Minister of Music, Pianist, Organist, and Children’s/Youth Music Director. While in Seminary, Branita participated in Music Missions to Russia as Accompanist, and Trinidad as a Team Leader. She was also the Accompanist for the Seminary Vocal Ensemble, and Vocal Coach/Accompanist for Seminary music students.

Her professional experience includes serving as Vocal Professor and Accompanist for both Marshall University and Kentucky Christian University. She also was the Vocal Instructor for the WV Governor’s School for the Arts in 2005 and 2006. As a Vocal Soloist, Branita has performed Verdi’s Requiem, Brahm’s Requiem, Schubert’s Mass in G, and Respighi’s Laud to the Nativity. She has performed with the West Virginia Symphony, Virginia Opera Chorus, Norfolk Art Song Society, and a Master Class with Elly Emeling. As an accompanist, she coaches singers in Vocal Technique and Singer’s Diction, as well as coaching instrumental musicians.

bholbrook@chasbt.org

Eddie Bucklen, Organist and Handbell Director

ebuckllen@bbandt.com

Julia J. Fleshman,Church Secretary

Julia Fleshman, member of Baptist Temple, has served as our faithful Church Secretary/Receptionist since September 2000. Julia's duties include brightening your day with a smile, answering and routing your telephone call, taking your reservation for various activities, recording your attendance and prayer requests, and so much more! Prior to coming to Baptist Temple, she attended Garnet Adult Career Center where she received her clerical certificate. In addition, she received a medical secretarial diploma from the Putnam Career and Technical Center. She is married to Bill Fleshman, and has two children, Mary and Jamie. Julia loves spending time with both her family and her extended church family. She is an avid reader, also likes to write, poetry, stories, songs, and will always be happy to pray for you.

jjfleshman@chasbt.org

Nancy C. Adkins, Business Administrator

Nancy is the Business Manager at the Baptist Temple while owning her own business’, W-N International and Little Angels Doll Creations. She is married with four grown children and three grandchildren. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a minor in marketing. She was in the banking industry for 17 years and a college administrator for 10 years. While at WV State College, she studied black history and the civil rights movement which led her on a trip to South Africa. She has been an advocate for women’s rights, and volunteers on a part time basis for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for abused children.

While her life has been full, she says that her passion is in Women’s Ministry. “There is so much work to be done,” she says, “but I want to make a difference in peoples lives for the better. I love people and want to leave a legacy by showing others God’s love.”

When describing the people of Baptist Temple, she quotes the lyrics from Bill Gaither’s “Getting Used To The Family of God”. “Going together, enjoying the trip, getting used to the family, I’ll spend eternity with – Learning to love you, how easy it is – Getting Used to the Family of God.” The people of Baptist Temple are very precious to me. They are unique in their own way. Many are pioneers in leading the rest of American Baptists into the next era of mission and ministry. Sometimes I feel like a mother hen protecting the ones she was appointed to look after. “I take looking over the business of the church very seriously and with a great sense of responsibility. But, in this position, I have gained a new respect and insight for missions and the ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a great privilege to work with some of the finest people in ministry. I feel that I, above all, am the one who benefits the most from working at the Baptist Temple."

ncadkins@chasbt.org

Jane Rothman, Interim Director, New Beginnings Preschool

Jane Rothman was born and raised in Columbus Ohio. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1977. She has worked as a preschool teacher since 1991, teaching 3 year olds, 4 year olds, and 5 year olds. In June of 2005, she began her job at Charleston Baptist Temple's New Beginnings Preschool as a teacher of 5 year olds and interim director. In her spare time, Jane enjoys volunteering at animal shelters as a dog walker, reading, and going out to eat. Jane is married to Ed Rothman, a geologist. They have two grown daughters, Amy and Sara, and three dogs who will never grow up!

Greg Reynolds, Custodian John Jackson, Custodian

For comments or questions to this web site, please e-mail the randy1@chasbt.org