Ministerial Staff

Senior Pastor - Dr. Robert A. White, Jr.

Robby White Robby was born and raised in Athens, Alabama. He and Vickie have been married for 34 years, and have two sons, Rob and Jim. Rob is married to Amelia (Johnson) White and Jim is married to Laura (Swinea) White. Robby and Vickie are proud grandparents. Rob and Amelia have two sons, Taylor and Landon.

Robby received his bachelor's degree from Athens State University and a Master of Divinity degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1992 he received a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been pastor of Locust Grove since May of 1985. Robby is also an associate professor and Director of Religious Studies and Ethics at Athens State University.

Vickie is the owner of Two Friends, a local specialty gift shop and works with the music ministry at Locust Grove.

Locust Grove Baptist Church has changed and grown during Robby's tenure. He is a gifted preacher, teacher, and writer.

Email Address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Minister of Music & Worship - Rev. Keith McLeod

Keith McLeod Keith comes from a military background. His father's career was in the United States Air Force, so he has lived in many places. Born in Tucson, Arizona, and raised in California, his roots are primarily western. His family moved to the South in 1979, where he went to Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Florida and completed his undergraduate Degree in Music Theory and Composition at Samford University in 1983. His Masters Degree in Music comes from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Keith and his wife Lisa have been married for twelve years. Lisa works in the electronic sales industry in Huntsville. Keith also has a daughter, Emily, from a previous marriage. Emily is a sophmore at Samford University.

Keith's passion in ministry is to lead worship and develop the music and arts programs here at Locust Grove. His areas of ministry include adult and children's choirs, orchestra, praise teams, and other smaller vocal and instrumental ensembles. Keith enjoys many different styles of music and has the opportunity to employ them in the various worship services here.

Email Address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Pastor of Students - Robert Collins

Rob Collins Robert was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. He attended Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas and completed his undergraduate degree with a focus in Biblical Studies and Biblical Languages in May 2005. He graduated in December of 2008 from Gardner-Webb University's M. Christopher White School of Divinity in North Carolina with his Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies.

Robert believes that all Christians should strive to love people and to share with them the gospel of grace. That it is our duty to inform every person we encounter that salvation is for them; regardless of their ethnicity, nationality, social status, choice of clothing, or gender. Robert desires to live a life that is transformed by the teachings, actions, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Email Address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Youth Coordinators - Robin and Stephanie Wright

Robin Wright Stephanie Wright Robin grew up in the small town of White House, TN just outside of Nashville. Stephanie is originally from Chattanooga. They each attended Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville where they met at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes function. Robin studied Industrial Technology and Stephanie majored in Nursing. They married a week after graduation and moved to Huntsville, AL where Robin accepted a job in 1998.

Currently, Robin works full-time at a local manufacturing facility, and Stephanie works part-time as the nurse for United Cerebral Palsy which helps families of children with special needs.

Robin and Stephanie have a heart for youth. They feel it is a calling on their lives to teach, minister, and serve teenagers and their families.

Email address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Children's Coordinator - Mary Osborne

Mary is our newest staff member. She has taught children's Life Groups and Vacation Bible School classes for the past 16 years. She became the Children's Coordinator at Locust Grove in 2009. May has been married to Danny for 27 years and they have two daughters, Brittany and Maegan. Mary loves working with children and enjoys watching them grow and learn about God's love.

Email address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Recreation & Events Coordinator -Brenda Bethune

Brenda Bethune

Brenda was born and raised in the Brownsboro and Gurley area. She attended Central School, graduated from Gurley High School and attended a community college in Florida. Brenda and Robert have been married for 24 years and have two daughters, Tawnie and Leigh Anne and one granddaughter, Alexis Anne Caruso, who was born in December, 2007.

Besides working at Locust Grove, Brenda also works at Riverton Middle School. When Brenda started with Locust Grove, she worked with the school-age children in summer daycare. She moved from the daycare area to the church office for several years and also served as Children's Coordinator for a few years. Brenda is now our Recreation & Events Coordinator, works with the YAH-WHOs and also directs the Upward Basketball, Soccer, and Cheerleading programs. Brenda’s love is working with children and helping them grow in every aspect of life.

Email Address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it