pastoral staff
BarrY Danner - Senior Pastor
I grew up in Oklahoma City in a Christian home. I attended SAGC and graduated with a BA in Pastoral Ministries. Upon graduation I accepted a Youth Pastor’s position at First Assembly and ministered here from 1974-1978. In 1989, Charlene and I were called back to the Phenix City area and have now ministered here for over twenty-two years.
God has been so good to me and my family! Charlene and I have a daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Nelson Lugo, who are missionaries in Panama, Central America. Our son Eric and daughter-in-law Jackie ministers alongside of us as our Student Ministries Pastors. We are blessed with two granddaughters, Ava and Isabella, and one grandson, Joshua.
First Job: As a teenager, I started working with my father in construction.
My Favorite Dessert: Angel food cake with chocolate icing!
Favorite Hobby: If you have ever visited with me in my office, you know that it is reading books. Being with my family is also a great joy in my life.
Favorite Scripture and Why: John 3:16. Why? It is so simple yet so profound. We learn it in Sunday School but its never loses its meaning in life!
Favorite Hymn: Great is Thy Faithfulness
Favorite Subject in Scripture: The grace of God! His Grace meets us in every area of our lives!
James Allen - Executive assistant
Hello, my name is James Allen. I work at First Assembly of God Church in Phenix City, Alabama. My duties include bookkeeping, assisting our Pastor in any way I can, visiting the sick and helping the needed.
I have been married to my beautiful wife, Anna Marie for 28 years. We have one daughter, Ashley, who is 23 years old and is a school teacher.
My first job was washing cars, mowing grass and washing windows for my neighbors. My place of birth was in my grand parents farm house in Coffee County Alabama. I was born on August 24, 1950. We moved to Phenix City when I was one year old.
Favorite Scripture/Why-Pslams 51:12, It reveals to me that Salvation is of the Lord, and not me.
Favorite Hymn- My favorite hymn is Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.
Favorite Food- Favorite food is fried chicken.
What do you love about working at a Church? There is a peace about working at the church. It also allows me an opportunity to help others.
Dream Vacation- My dream vacation would be to go to Hawaii.
Jay Bonner - Children's Pastor
I was born in Brewton, AL but raised in Phenix City from the age of four. I am a Smiths Station High School graduate and a Central Bible College alum. First Assembly is my heart and my home. It is the place where I was saved, baptized, filled with the Holy Spirit, called into ministry, and where I met and married my wife, Alicia, in 2005. Now, by God's design, Alicia and I are able to pour back in to the very church that poured out so much for us.
First Job: I was a floor guard at skate-a-rama. Those were the days!
Regular order at Starbucks: I really dislike coffee...sorry!
Dream Vacation: Tour of Europe
In my spare time I...love spending time with my wife and boston terrier, odie.
Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 20:9. Enough said!
Eric Danner - Youth Pastor
I was born in Columbus, MS but I claim Phenix City as my hometown since this is where I grew up as a child, and have now come back to minister. After graduating from high school I attended Central Bible College in Springfield, MO and majored in Youth Ministry with a minor in Bible. Before my Senior year, I came home for the summer and met my future wife, Jackie. After many times of asking, I finally said "yes"! Jackie and I were the student ministers at a church near Tampa for a couple of years and then moved back to accept our current position here at First Assembly. We are expecting parents and will be proud to name him Joshua. The reason we chose this name is because of the verse from Joshua 1:9, "This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
First Job: I worked at "Lynn's Too" in the Mall. It sounds girly, but it was actually a sports memorabilia store, ok?!?!
Favorite Scripture and Why: Besides Joshua 1:9, my favorite verse would be Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." It gives me a sense of comfort knowing that God always has my back...
Things that fascinate me: Watching teenagers give their lives to God an then grow to become mature believers
Regular order at Starbucks: I am a Dunkin Donuts guy and I keep them in business. My favorite order would be a chocolate cake donut with regular iced coffee...hallelujah!
What do you love about working at a church: I am not an office guy so being able to work as a youth pastor means that I don't have regular "office hours". One minute I may be eating lunch with teenagers at their school and the next I will be making hospital visits.
Book I'm reading and why: "Road Trip Leadership: Mileposts Along My Way in Ministry" by Dr. George Wood. This is a great resource for any pastor wanting to do things the right way in ministry.
Alan McDaniel - Young Adult Pastor & Maintenance
I am a local boy. Born and raised in Phenix City, AL. I grew up and survived in the Russell County school system and graduated in 2006. After being raised in this church and running from my calling, God caught me and changed my life in Feb 2008.
Since then I have studied and become a graduate of Berean School of the Bible. God has since blessed me with the opportunity to lead the coolest group of young adults in the world. I am a big believer that God has plans for every person and love pushing people to run after Him and chasing their calling passionately.
Favorite Food: Mexican (anything Mexican) or Chinese (anything Chinese)
Favorite Sport: Football and not just any football THE Alabama Crimson Tide
Favorite Hobby: Sleep and Xbox
Favorite Song: Boasting by Lecrae
First Job: Little Caesars Pizza – went from doughboy to manager :-P
Jonathan Thornton - worship PAstor
I grew up as a pastor’s kid, which besides carrying a label with it, also means in most cases that you move around a lot as a kid. However, I was blessed to be raised mostly in one town, Birmingham Alabama. My family came to be a part of the Phenix City First Assembly family in June of 2011. I am blessed more than I deserve to have a beautiful and Godly wife of 10 years (Jana), and two little girls (Gracey 8, Emma 4) that own me.
Childhood Ambition? To be MacGuyver. C'mon, who wouldn’t want to be able to make a rocket ship out of a pillow, a paper clip, a can of spam, and a 1973 Mike Schmidt Rookie Card?
Things that fascinate me? MacGuyver (okay who didn’t see that coming)…and the fact that no matter how much we continue to talk, sing, or hear sermons about it, there continues to be a lack of kindness in the world.
Favorite Hymn? I’d Rather Have Jesus
Favorite Food? If you’ve seen me eat, this is a hard one. For this week I would say Cajun Pasta.
In my spare time I…love to hang out with my three girls and watch Gracey and Emma play soccer.
Dream Vacation? I want to go on a missions trip with my father some day.
Administrative Staff
Jackie Danner - Administrative Assistant to the youth pastor
I was born and raised in a wonderful, godly home in Springfield, Massachusetts. I felt the call of the Lord into ministry at a very early age (9 or 10 years old). After High school I attended Valley Forge Christian College where I majored in Counseling/Psychology, with an (almost) minor in Youth Ministry (1 class short!). After Graduation, I found myself back in MA, working as an Assistant Program Director at an Adult Day Heath Program. After a couple of years, the Lord moved me down to Alabama to work as a Case Manager at a Teen Challenge Center for adolescents. That is how I began attending First Assembly of God and that is also how I met my (now) husband, Eric Danner. Eric and I were married in 2008 and Youth Pastor-ed near Tampa Florida for 2 years before moving back to Phenix City First Assembly to become the Youth Pastors. We are loving life here and awaiting the arrival of our baby boy, Joshua (due next month).
Childhood Ambition- Marry a Youth Pastor (no lie)
Favorite Scripture/Why-Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." I've memorized this verse because, being in ministry (and just life, in general), it can easily get stressful and I always want to stay in God's perfect peace, rather than worry and fret.
Regular Order @ Starbucks- Tall Caramel Light Frappuccino
Favorite Food- THAI FOOD! Yum!
What do you love about working at a Church? Seeing my amazing husband all day long ;)
In my spare time I...do laundry/housework L
Dream Vacation- Italy
Cecilia Drummonds - Director of PCS
Tonie Herman - Administrative Assistant to the PAstor
I am Tonie Herman and have been married for almost 5 ½ years to Tim Herman, who is my best friend. I have 2 daughters and 2 grand sons. I grew up in Columbus, Ga and moved to Smiths AL when I was 16. I got saved on May 4, 1997 at Auburn Rd A/G. Started coming to First Assembly in 2000. Jerusalem First was my first ministry here and from there I got involved in other areas of ministries in the church. I do cookie drops on Wednesday night along with Sis. Danner for our visitors, this holds a special place because someone took the time to bring me cookies. I am where I am because they loved me enough to talk to me about Jesus.
Came to work at First Assembly in June 2006 as the receptionist.
I have been the Pastor Secretary since 2009.
In my spare time I love to sit and just read a book outside on the swing or walking my dog on nice cool days.
My favorite scripture is Psalms 92:2 because He is my refuge and my safety & I as long as I live I will trust in Him.
My favorite hymn is Amazing Grace because of where God has brought me from and the testimony He has given me.
Camilla JAckson - Administrative Assistant to the Church
I and my three siblings grew up in Richland, Georgia, where my dad pastored a small church. When I turned sixteen, my parents felt led to become missionaries. I lived overseas with them for a couple years, and then attended a Master's Commission abroad. After that, I moved back to Georgia and enrolled at Columbus Technical College for a year of prerequisite classes. During that time ( in 2008), I visited First Assembly of God for the first time. The welcoming warmth of the people and the presence of the Lord in the service, made such an impact on me that I knew right away this was going to be my home church. A couple of years later my husband, Heath Jackson, and I met at the church and got married in 2010. We are currently involved in various ministries of the church, and hope to become missionaries ourselves in a few years!
My first job was a nanny position.
My childhood ambition was, and still is, to own and run my own overseas, orphanage like Amy Carmichael.
One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 61:2. Why? Because during hard times in my life, that verse has given me fresh hope and trust that God is in control.
Regular Order at Starbucks: Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino (during the holidays)
Favorite Hymn: "In Christ Alone"
Favorite Food: Chicken Fettuccini
Main Hobby: Anything that has to do with being outdoors :)
Susan Littleton - Administrative Assistant to the worship Pastor
I was born and raised in a Christian home where the Word of God and prayer filled each day. My father was a Pastor and minister of the Gospel through Radio. His deep love for the body of Christ influenced my life and planted the desire to be involved in the ministry of the church. I have been married to the love of my life, Darron Littleton, since 1988. We have 3 children. After our very first visit in 2003, we made First Assembly our church home. We felt we belonged from the very first service we attended. We thank the Lord for bringing us here and allowing us to belong to such a wonderful body of believers.
One of my favorite scriptures is Jeremiah 29:11. It has encouraged and reminded me that, even if I cannot see God's hand at work or do not understand His ways, God has a purpose and plan for my life.
One thing that fascinates me is God's ability to love everyone no matter what they've done or where they've been and that this same God chooses to live inside my heart.
I was born and raised in Clanton, Alabama.
In my spare time I enjoy sitting outdoors and reading.
I love working at church. I love being able to go to work everyday in a Christian environment. I'm thankful to work with other believers that share the same passion and goal of serving the Lord.