Pastoral Staff

Dr. Peter Rhea Jones, Sr., Spring Interim Preacher

Peter Rhea is the J. Truett Gannon Professor of Preaching and New Testament at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology. Earning his bachelor’s degree at Union University in Jackson, Tenn., Peter Rhea received a master of arts in English from the University of Mississippi and a master of theology in preaching from Princeton Theological Seminary (Princeton, N.J.). He earned a master of divinity and doctor of philosophy degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. Peter Rhea served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Decatur, Ga., from 1979 to 2000. He was also pastor of several churches in Tennessee and Kentucky. Before coming to Georgia, he served on the New Testament faculty of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1968 to 1979. Peter Rhea is the author of Teaching of the Parables, Studying the Parables of Jesus, and 1, 2 & 3 John, as well as numerous articles for journals, periodicals and books. Peter Rhea and his wife, Ellen Miles Jones, have three adult children. The Joneses are former members of Second-Ponce de Leon.

Randall Cash, Associate Pastor for Education

A lifelong learner, Randall holds a Master of Arts in Religious Education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, his bachelor’s degree from East Texas Baptist College, and is now completing work on his Ph.D. in leadership studies from Dallas Baptist University. He joined the Second-Ponce de Leon staff in February 2009, after serving as Associate Pastor/Education and Ministry at First Baptist Church of San Antonio, Texas, for 12 years. Prior to that, his ministry included positions on the staffs of churches in Texas and Tennessee. As our Associate Pastor for Education, Randall has responsibility for leading all the education ministries at SPdL, including Sunday School. “I firmly believe that Sunday School is vital to the health and growth of every church as it seeks to reach, teach and minister,” he says. Randall and his wife Sue Ellen have two adult sons. E-mail Randall.

Dr. Eric Nelson, Minister of Music

When he’s not leading our music programs here at Second-Ponce de Leon, Eric spends his time filling the role of Director of Choral Activities at Emory University. Considered one of the leading choral conductors in the country, he conducts Emory’s University Chorus and Concert Choir, and teaches Choral Literature and graduate Choral Conducting. Eric holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Houghton College (Houghton, N.Y.), a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College (Princeton, N.J.), and a Doctor of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Indiana University. He is also a baritone soloist, an accomplished organist and a composer of both secular and sacred choral music. Additionally, Eric is the music director for the Atlanta Sacred Chorale, the only non-denominational chorus in the Southeast dedicated to sacred, primarily a cappella choral literature. He also has served as a guest conductor at Carnegie Hall.. Eric joined our staff in August 2002. You can contact Eric at 404.591.4368.

Dr. Charles Qualls, Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care/ Staff Coordinator

Charles earned his bachelor’s degree at West Georgia College in Carrollton, his Master of Divinity degree in Family Ministry/Christian Education from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Mercer. With solid experience in a number of leadership roles throughout his career, Charles most recently served as director of development for the Associated Baptist Press in Greensboro, N.C., before taking on the responsibilities of Pastoral Care here at Second-Ponce de Leon in June 2001. Additionally, he has published three books, and edited and written numerous articles. E-mail Charles.

Blair Cox – Interim Minister to Youth

After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Mercer University in Macon, Blair earned his Master of Divinity degree from Mercer’s McAfee School of Theology in 2009. Prior to serving at Second-Ponce de Leon’s Youth Ministry, Blair worked as a Youth Ministry Director at Atlanta’s Northeast Baptist Church and as an interim youth director in Macon. In addition to his work in youth ministry, Blair served as Northwoods Baptist Church’s Homeless Ministry Director. He also worked for Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters as a Production Assistant and as a Program Director for LifeWay Christian Resources. In 2010, Blair attended the Officer Candidate School of the United States Navy.