About us

Discipleship is more than a class or simply acquiring Biblical knowledge. It is a lifelong process of obedience in following Jesus. We desire to make disciples that worship God, grow in Christ, and follow Him!

WORSHIP – Worship Services
GROW – Sunday School, Life Groups, D Groups
FOLLOW – Local, Domestic, and International Missions

These 3 words are a progression with Discipleship at the core. It is only when we are doing all three that we are truly following Jesus.

BELIEFS

GSBC is a cooperating Southern Baptist church
with the following cherished beliefs:

God the Father
There is one God. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Who subsist in unity, and also as three separate, distinct Persons.
God the Son
Jesus Christ is God's Son. He was born of a virgin as both God and man, lived a sinless life, died to atone for the sins of human beings, was buried, arose from the grave, ascended into heaven, and will literally return to Earth.
God the Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, the Divine Helper, Assistant, Counselor, and Instructor; and His work is to reveal Christ, convict of sin, lead to repentance, guide believers, comfort, strengthen, and sanctify the individual.
The Bible
The Bible is God's Holy Word, without error,
and is the sole authority for life.
Man
Human beings are the special creations of God, made in His image. They fell through the sin of the first man, Adam, and all human beings are sinners in need of salvation.
Salvation
Salvation is a gift through repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ. Every person who truly is saved is eternally secure in the Lord Jesus Christ and will spend eternity in Heaven, while those who die in their sins will spend eternity in hell. Each believer has direct access to God through Jesus Christ.
Baptism
Baptism is by immersion after salvation and is done in obedience to Jesus Christ's command.
The Church
The church is a local body of baptized believers with the Lord Jesus Christ as the Head.

ministerial team

Matt Coby

Minister of Students and Recreation
Matt joined the staff in January of 2022. He is a native of Boaz, AL. where he graduated in 2008. Matthew is married to Jessica, and they have 2 sons, Samuel, and Elijah. The Lord called him into Vocational ministry in 2009 while pursuing his undergraduate degree from Jacksonville State University. He has since graduated from JSU with a Degree in Business Management, and from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity. Matt enjoys Music, Golf, Snowboarding, Ultimate Frisbee, and most any other outdoor activity.

Jake Goforth

Minister of Missions and Media
Jake joined the staff in March 2025. He and his wife, Deb, have three children, Marah, Victoria, and Lillian. They served as IMB Missionaries in Italy from 2015-2024. Jake holds a BA in Theology from the University of Mobile (2010), an MDiv in Missions from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (2013) , and an MA in Christian Apologetics from Liberty University (2023). His passions in ministry are missions and teaching how the entire Bible points to Jesus. In his free time, Jake enjoys golf, football, and the outdoors.

Brad Johnson

Minister of Worship
Brad has served as Minister of Worship since May of 2017. He graduated from the University of Mobile in May 2004. Since 2000, Brad has served in  worship and student ministries in North Mississippi and North/Central Alabama. Brad's desire in leading worship is to help the church direct their attention to God, stand in awe of Him, have their affection for Him deepened, and joyfully answer His call. He and his wife, Sarah, were married in 2008 and they have two children, Gray and Maggie.

Jonathan Lancaster

Associate Pastor
Jonathan joined the Gilliam team in 2023. His role focuses primarily on discipleship and assimilation. He is a native of Boaz. As a six year old, God used the simple gospel presentation of his Sunday School teacher to guide him toward salvation in Christ. As a twenty-two year old, Jonathan surrendered to God's call to vocational ministry. He is married to Cindy, and God has blessed them with two great children–Kathryn and Aaron. He is a 1999 graduate of Auburn University and earned his Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 2005. Jonathan loves to teach people the truth of God’s Word and help them become disciples of Christ.

Theresa Mayo

Director of Children and Family Ministries
Theresa has served our Children's Ministry at Gilliam Springs since 2005. For her, there is nothing more exciting than to see a child develop foundations in Christ and become a Christian, well except maybe watching them develop habits for a life-long relationship with Christ! Theresa is married to Lee (30+ years), they have two adult children, Seth (married to Missy)  and Caylee Beth (married to Ryan). Theresa's favorite things are family, SummerPalooza, teaching, reading, and spending time with her grandsons, Miles, Titus,  Zeke and Crew.

Caylee Beth McElrath

Director of CDC and Preschool Ministry
Caylee Beth joined the staff in September 2021. She graduated with her bachelors degree In Social Work from Troy University. She and her husband Ryan have three little boys, Miles, Titus, & Zeke. Caylee Beth serves here as our church-wide Preschool Director and our Child Development Center Director.

Jeremy Patterson

Executive Pastor
Jeremy joined the staff at Gilliam Springs in July of 2019 as the Minister of Missions. He has been in the ministry for many years where he has served as Pastor as well as, other staff positions in ministry that the Lord has directed.  He is married to Amanda and she also serves with the Gilliam team as a Ministry Assistant. They have been married for many years and served the Lord together with their children Hayden, Austin, and Kendall.  Jeremy has a background in business and pursued a Masters in Theology from Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary. His passions are serving the Lord locally and globally along with his family.

Jamey Pruett

Pastor
Jamey has served as pastor since August of 2011. He grew up in Birmingham and was saved at the age of 15 and surrendered to ministry at 18. He is married to Ashleigh, and they have 3 sons: Josiah, Isaac, and Nathaniel. He is a graduate of Mobile College and Beeson Divinity School at Samford University and earned his D.Min. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. A love for the Church and its mission drive Jamey in his ministry.

Dick Spybey

Minister of Senior Adults and Congregational Care
Dick Spybey's 40-year professional career began at the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) where he served 18 years as the Men's & Women's Golf Coach.  In 2002, with God giving him a change of heart and passion, Coach Spybey felt led into Christian Education. In 2017, he accepted a call and served as Minister of Recreation & Men here at Gilliam Springs.  After a short stint in South Alabama, Dick has returned as Minister of Senior Adults & Congregational Care.  He & wife Mary have been married for 38 years.  They have one son, Rick, daughter-in-law Katie, and grandchildren, Roland, Miller, and Mary Caroline.