Meet The Team
Senior Pastor
PRESTON ATKINSON
Preston and his wife, Karna, have been married 26 years and have six children: Elijah, Lillian, Owen, Ruby, Brenna, and Phoebe Hope. They are also privileged to share space and grace with Karna’s mother, Linda Larson. Preston and Karna have served together in ministry for many years and enjoy exercising hospitality and helping others know their purpose and come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. At 19, Preston became a youth minister in a Baptist Church in West, TN. He was ordained at Cornerstone Community Church in 2005 in Jackson, TN and was sent out to serve as pastor in Texas. The last 17 years they have served in the Fort Hood Community (Military Culture) in Central Texas. Preston and his family are super excited about being in the Susquehanna Valley and Sunbury Bible Church to continue the mission of our Lord’s Church.
Preston and Karna met in college in Jackson, TN. at Union University. They both graduated from Union University and hold multiple degrees. Preston enjoys going on dates with Karna, spending time with their children, reading, hunting, fishing and landscaping/lawn care. He has also enjoyed coaching baseball and soccer. He's taught at Wise Owl Academy pre-COVID (World Religion, Biblical Worldview). Preston is an Atlanta Braves fan and root for SEC football as his parents are Auburn University Alumni, War Eagle!
Associate Pastor
Pastor chris barnes
Chris and his wife have attended SBC since 2020. Now in his 13th year of full time ministry, Chris has had the pleasure of serving in a variety of roles and churches during his time serving The Church. Chris has a passion for preaching, leading worship, and for investing into the next generation of The Kingdom. When not serving at SBC, you can find Chris on the road with his touring worship project Freedom Calls.
Director of Youth Ministries
gary daddario
Gary, his wife, and children began attending SBC in April 2002, with Gary joining the SBC team on November 2009. Prior to SBC Gary worked for 28 years in the business industry. Gary is married to his childhood sweetheart, Jenny since 1988. They met as kids at their local Awana club and have been inseparable ever since, serving together in church ministry for the last 30+ years. Gary and Jenny have two grown children, Gary III and Abigail, a daughter in-law Kristin and a son in-law Nathan. Gary and Jenny love to work side by side with their church family leading and serving in multiple ministries, with a special passion for student ministries. Gary enjoys refereeing High School basketball, spending time with his family and going to Nag's Head, North Carolina. He always says, "Life is always so much better with some sand between your toes."
Administrative Assistant, Church, Youth & Family Ministries
debbie hays
Debbie and her husband, Shane, began attending SBC in 1974. She joined the SBC team in June 1993. Prior to working here, she was a Home Interior Consultant and worked for Rea & Derricks/CVS for many years. Shane and Debbie have three children, Aimee Boyer, son-in-law, Matt, Ryan Hays, daughter-in-law, Alyssa, and Bethany Schantz and son-in-law, Jeff. They have 7 grandchildren who are very special to them. Debbie has served in many ministries at SBC: Nursery Coordinator, VBS, Children’s Ministries, Tiny Tot and PreTeen Leader, directed Children’s Musicals and Real Life Productions, Adult Choir, Secret Sister Coordinator, and was the Sunbury Christian Academy Formal Coordinator for several years. She enjoys camping, beach vacations, cruises, crafts, spending time with family and loves spending time with her grandchildren.
Financial Secretary
brandi heintzelman
Brandi started attending SBC in 2015. She is the mother of two children, Colt & Nora. Prior to working at SBC, Brandi was a Loan Officer for a local credit union. She was hired as the Sunbury Christian Academy gym teacher from 2016 – 2018. In 2017, she accepted the role as SBC's financial secretary. She loves spending time with her children, yoga and reading. Brandi is also devoting time in taking online college courses through Liberty University.
Minister of Visitation
william mcleod
Bill and his wife, Lois, started attending SBC in June 1979. Bill and Lois have three children, Bill McLeod, Laura Mastrian and son-in-law, Keith, and Craig McLeod, and daughter-in-law, Brenda, and four grandchildren. Bill accepted the job as Sunbury Christian Academy administrator from 1979 to 1998. Bill has also taught Sunday School for many years. He has been the Minister of Visitation at SBC since 2002 and is a very caring man of God. Bill enjoys writing Christian music lyrics, teaching Community Groups (Sunday School), visiting people and enjoys family times.
elders
Preston Atkinson
Chris Barnes
Gary Emrick
John Jones
Randy Lunger
Dean Parry
John Renno
Chip Stuckey
John Tobias
Deacons
Chuck Beaver
Mike Bordner
Matt Boyer
Rich Derk
Derek Mitchley
Dan Renno
Jeff Schantz
Kurt Steckel
Jeff Stuck
Kevin Tobias