Chris is a graduate of Samford University, Harvard Divinity School and received the Doctor of Ministry from Methodist Theological School of Ohio.

Chris loves hearing and telling the stories of God at work in the past and present, and leading people into God’s good future. He and his wife, Jennifer, have four children. Chris has served as the Pastor at Smoke Rise since April 2013.

Bart is a graduate of The University of Mobile and Florida State University, obtaining degrees in Psychology, Religion, and Law. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Health from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas. Bart is passionate about congregational life and care. He enjoys helping people experience God’s love in word, worship and work.

Bart likes poetry, music, and movies. He enjoys family fun days with his wife, Stacey McNiel, and their two young girls.

Jim is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist and Phillips Universities as well as Southwestern and Midwestern Seminaries.  He has further certification from Princeton Seminary, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, Canon Trust School, and Resource Development, Inc.  Smith has been an adjunct professor for both Midwestern and Minsk Baptist Theological Seminary, Minsk, Belarus. 

A native of Oklahoma, Smith has served churches in Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri and served as Executive Vice President of the Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma, and President of the Missouri and Cooperative Baptist Foundations.  Jim has a passion for prayer and missions and an interest in people and their family stories.  He and his wife, Debra, enjoy travel and have a son, daughter and five grandchildren. 

Danny became the Minister of Worship & Music at Smoke Rise Baptist Church in May, 2006. A native of Illinois, Danny received a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree from Murray State University (1986) and a Master of Church Music from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1989). Danny loves creating thoughtful worship that utilizes both traditional and modern elements while maintaining historic Baptist values.

Hannah has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from LSU-Shreveport and Master’s degree in Social Work for LSU. She then attended Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University to recieve her Master’s of Divinity. She’s worked as a resident chaplain at Baylor, a youth program assistant at Mission Waco/Mission World, and served on staff at First Baptist, Shreveport, LA. In her free time she loves making coffe, reading, hiking, crocheting, and spending time with her chocolate lab, Roux.

Joel Harrison served for 39 years as the Associational Missionary and Executive Director of Atlanta Metro Baptist Association. Joel was ordained to Gospel Ministry at Columbia Drive Baptist Church in Decatur at the request of First Baptist Church Chickamauga, Georgia in 1973. Joel and his wife, Georgianne, have been members of Smoke Rise Baptist Church since 1979. Joel previously served as part-time staff at Smoke Rise when Dr. Truett Gannon was Senior Pastor. 

Joel brings years of experience working with congregations of all sizes and with diverse backgrounds and histories. His work with Senior Living Satellite Ministries includes a chaplain-like ministry that fosters connection with and pastoral care for adults in senior living communities.