Pastoral Staff
Rev. Bart Lester: Senior Pastor
Bart was born in Huntsville, Alabama but spent his childhood and teenage years in Birmingham. He attended Auburn University where he graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1992. After graduating from Auburn, Bart began attending Reformed Theological Seminary at the Jackson campus and then finished his MDiv at the Charlotte campus in 1996. Bart is married to Allison Lester of Savannah, Georgia. Bart and Allison have five children: Caroline, Barton, Oliver, Thomas, and John Bennett. Bart joined the Eastwood staff in 1996.
Directors and Office Staff
Dr. Joel Bius: EPC Administrator & ECS Headmaster
Dr. Joel Bius is the Administrator for Eastwood Church and Headmaster at Eastwood Christian School. Prior to arriving at Eastwood, Dr. Bius culminated his 24 year Air Force career as the Associate Dean of Education for the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. He grew up in Valdosta, Georgia, and completed his Ph.D. in American History at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2015 as an Air Force Faculty Fellow. In addition to 10 years experience teaching courses in military history, military campaign planning, leadership, American military culture, and the American Civil War, Dr. Bius has several publications in the field of military history and War & Society. He loves Classical Christian Education because it allows him to teach with the highest purpose: discovery of truth and propagation of the gospel. Joel and his wife, Leigh, are both very proud of children Jake, Brooks, Mary Jewel, and John Henry.
Mrs. Lynn Grace: Office Manager & Pastoral Assistant
Lynn Grace was born in Fairhope, Alabama. She was raised on the Eastern Shore and moved to Montgomery with her husband Barry in 2008. Lynn worked as an administrative assistant at Alfa Insurance for 10 years. She and her husband Barry have two children: Aubrey and Abby.
Mr. Tommy James: Missions Director
Tommy was born and raised in Montgomery. He graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Business Administration. He is married to Elaine (Lamar), also of Montgomery and they have four daughters and 12 grandchildren. In the past, Tommy has served on several advisory committees, including Sav-A-Life, Trinity Presbyterian School Board and Eastwood Christian School Board. Tommy became Eastwood’s Director of Missions in 2005.
Mr. Jake Matulia: Youth Director
Jake Matulia was born and raised in Eustis, Florida and moved to Montgomery to be a part of the Fisher’s Farm Ministry. He is married to Faith and they have two sons, Jack Calvin and Jude. Jake holds a B.A. from Boyce College, an MA from Yeshiva University, an MPhil from Cambridge UK, and is currently pursuing an MAR from Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Mrs. Julie Shuemake: Financial Administrator
Julie Shuemake is a graduate of Troy University and has more than ten years of experience in non-profit accounting. Julie and her husband Steve, who teaches the music enrichment class at Eastwood Christian School, have three children: ME Grace, Caleb, and Oliver. Julie enjoys music, reading, and the beach.
Dr. Brandon Slocumb: Music Director
Brandon Slocumb teaches Low Brass, Theory, Brass Pedagogy, and Ear Training at Huntingdon College. After completing a bachelor’s degree in music education at Samford University, he completed a master’s degree in trombone performance at the University of North Texas. A desire to teach at the college level led Dr. Slocumb to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in 2009. Brandon, his wife Youlanda, and their two children, Cecilia and James, are active members of Eastwood.
Mrs. Christy Taunton: Nursery and Children's Director
Christy is an educator with over 24 years of experience, holding dual degrees in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education from Auburn University at Montgomery. Her background includes homeschooling, teaching in a Christian Classical school as well as serving in the nursery on staff. Christy and her husband, Chris, have three children and one grandchild.
Mrs. Victoria Whatley: Assistant Nursery Director
Victoria was born and raised here in Montgomery. Her family began attending Eastwood Church when she began attending Eastwood Christian School in kindergarten. She met her husband, William, while working at the Retirement Systems of Alabama, after graduating from ECS. William and Victoria are the proud parents of Abigail and Amelia.