Staff

At Oakhurst Baptist we believe in creating relationships that are based on authenticity, mutuality, and cooperation.  Our Pastoral Team strives to do so by dismantling hierarchy and sharing pastoral responsibilities. Our roles and job descriptions are specific, but our leadership is as a team.  Click here to read an article about our Pastoral Team.
Meet the pastors and staff members of Oakhurst Baptist Church – click a name to learn more.
  • Melanie Vaughn-Colwell

    The Reverend Melanie Vaughn-Colwell grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. Melanie received her Master of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. After ordination by Oakhurst Baptist Church in 2001, Melanie served as Pastor of Broadneck Baptist Church in Annapolis, Maryland, from the fall of 2001 to the spring of 2007.

    She holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. Prior to attending seminary, she was employed in public relations for the Atlanta Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and as a TV news reporter in Denison, Texas.

    Melanie lives in Decatur, Georgia with her wife Lauren, dog Mirabelle and cat Isaac.

    Melanie loves talking about Family Systems Theory, the Enneagram, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. She loves to explore the subtle and surprising ways that God communicates with God’s children, especially through animals, trees, and dreams. She also knows almost every “Seinfeld” episode by heart.

  • Ashley Robinson

    Reverend Ashley Robinson comes to Oakhurst after serving as Pastoral Resident at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. During this two-year residency, Ashley was part of the ministerial staff and had regular opportunities to preach, teach, offer pastoral care, and officiate weddings and memorials.

    Ashley is a graduate of Central Baptist Theological Seminary’s Women Leadership Initiative Cohort, earning a Master of Divinity. Through this program she visited Cuba and created relationships with our Alliance of Baptists siblings there.

    Ashley enjoys storytelling, knitting, roasting her own coffee, and spending time with her 60lb. lap dog, Gilbert.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

  • Josh Cowan

    Josh Cowan has been a member of OBC since he moved to Atlanta in 2011 to complete his MDiv at Candler School of Theology.  He has been involved with the youth as well as the musical life at OBC – singing in the choir and playing viola in worship.  Josh is now responsible for the overall music coordination for the life of the church.

    Josh uses his gifts in education, music, and ministry both on an individual basis as well as with various groups and congregations in the Atlanta metro area.  He has most recently become involved in ministry with horses at a rescue in Gainsville, GA.

  • Tom FitzStephens

    Dr. Tom FitzStephens (he/him) is our Choral Director.  He holds a Bachelor of Choral Music Education from The University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, a Master of Music in Conducting from Michigan State University’s College of Music, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Music Teaching and Learning from Georgia State University.

    Dr. FitzStephens currently also serves as Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Oglethorpe University and as the Music Conductor of Harmonia Atlanta, an inter-generational community chorus. His writing is published in Visions of Research in Music Education, Teaching Music magazine, and his dissertation is available in ScholarWorks. He has presented at state and international music education conventions. He lives in Decatur with his wife, Jamie, and dog, Stella.

    He is passionate about music’s ability to connect us with each other and with God. He believes music’s role in worship is to elevate the spirit and enlighten the minds of those who perform it and those who hear it. He loves being a part of Oakhurst because it is an inclusive and welcoming community of faith with a proven history of passion for social justice.

  • Lynne Wisard

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    The newest member of our Oakhurst staff is Office Manager Lynne Wisard. Most recently Lynne worked as the Administrative Coordinator for Discipleship and Faith Formation at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta. Prior to that, she was the Office Manager at Greensburg United Methodist Church in Greensburg, Ohio. Lynne enjoys gardening, handbells, puppets, baking, cooking, playing the hammered and mountain dulcimers, pysanky, and quilling. Stop by the office anytime Sunday through Thursday to meet Lynne and get connected.