Deacons
DAVE ARNY
Deacon with Widows/Widowers and Missions
Dave is the firstborn of 5 siblings and was raised in northern Virginia. He went to LSU for an accounting degree and was introduced to the church of Christ on campus. He was baptized on May 7th, 1973. He was a VISTA volunteer in Columbia, South Carolina. He spent 11 years in Raleigh, NC where he worked as a book-keeper and 6 years in Greenville, NC. He got a Masters in Social Work there and married the love of his life, Mary Hook, in 1987. After 4 and a half years, they moved to Uyo, Nigeria, West Africa to teach at Nigerian Christian Institute, a school of preaching and secondary school. They were blessed with the addition of Jesse in 1994 and Janet in 1995. They worked there for 10 years. Then they moved to Florence so David could get Bachelors and Masters degrees from Heritage Christian University. Their family placed membership at Petersville in November, 2002. Dave worked as a preacher in Flatwoods, TN and as a host at a restaurant. He now volunteers at NAMI, Glenwood Nursing Home, and Gentiva Hospice- he enjoys working with older people very much.
MICHAEL BURNS
Deacon with Building and Grounds
Michael grew up going to church his whole life- his dad (Nolan Burns) was a preacher. He has been married to Beth since 1989 and they have 4 children: Dustin, Drew, Lindsey, and Bryson. They started attending Petersville in February of 2001 and he became a deacon in 2004. He has worked for the city of Florence Water Dept. as a Water Plant Operator since 1991. He likes to hunt and fish, and watching the Andy Griffith show. He likes to joke and kid around with people. “Life is too short- you need to enjoy every minute you are blessed with.”
ARON COLE
Social Media
Aron has attended Petersville for 10 and been a deacon for 5. He met his wife, Rebekah, at Petersville and they have been married 10 years. They have 2 sons- Trey and Barrett. Aron teaches at Lexington High School, where he also coaches football and basketball. His hobbies and interests include football, music, and reading- but what he enjoys most is coaching his sons. His favorite verse in the Bible comes from Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is rather to be desired than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.” His favorite quote is by Bear Bryant- “If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride- and never quit- you’ll be a winner. The price of victory is high, but so are the rewards.”
DUSTIN CULBERSON
Deacon with Visitation and Youth
Originally from Hohenwald, TN, he graduated from Freed-Hardeman in May of 2008 with a degree in Youth Ministry. After graduation he became the full time youth minister here at Petersville and two weeks later married his beautiful wife, Faith Hutton (of Double Springs, AL). They have two precious children, Jack and Emma. Dustin has been the deacons of visitation/outreach since June of 2013.
PATRICK MITCHELL
JON OAKLEY
BRAD PATTERSON
Deacon with Children’s Ministry (3 year olds- 6th grade)
Brad has been attending Petersville since 2008. He married his wife Courtney in 2009 and they have 3 wonderful children- Cidney, Calleigh, and Chesney. He has worked at Wal-Mart since November, 2001 and now serves as an assistant manager. He also has a Bachelors in Elementary Education and Masters in Education. His hobbies include spending time with family and going to antique tractor shows.
PONCHO RIVERA
BRADLEY STRAIT
Deacon with College and Young Adults
Bradley has been attending the Petersville congregation all of his life with his parents, Wade and Susie. He was recently appointed as deacon in 2014. He married April in 2007 and recently welcomed their first child, Ruthie Kate, in July of 2013.
WADE STRAIT
Deacon with Worship Service, Outreach, and Hospital work
Wade has served as a deacon for 20+ years. Wade was baptized here at Petersville in 1982, and soon after married his wife Susie. Together they have two sons, Bradley and Tyler and two daughters-in-law, April and Jessica. Wade loves being a Poppy to his grand-daughter Ruthie. Wade is a converter technician at Comcast Cable and has been there for 33years. Wade is loving and dedicated to whatever he does; family, church, friends, and his job. Wade loves people and is a great encourager to all those he meets. Wade’s favorite scripture is Psalm 100 “….for the Lord is good and His love endures forever…”
KEITH WEST
Deacon with Worship Service, Vehicle Maintenance
Keith has been attending Petersville church of Christ for 10 years and served as a deacon for 3. He is married to Rhonda, and they have two wonderful children, Nathan and his wife Kate, and Katelan and her husband Joe Creasy. He has always enjoyed working on cars and small machines, so it was no surprise when he opened his own mechanic shop, West Tire and Auto, in 2003. He is a successful and honest businessman who loves his job. When not working, he enjoys camping and old cars.
When he first met his Father-in-Law, he was asked if he was ‘wormy’ because he was so skinny. It stuck and is now his nickname.
His favorite verses are John 3:16 and Philippians 4:6.