Leadership

Deacon Richard W. Copeland Jr.

rwcopejr@aol.com
(910) 476-3785

I was born in 1963 and raised in a military home (but not a godly one) in Fayetteville, NC. Yet I was blessed with godly grandparents! I graduated in 1981 from Pine Forest Sr. High School. From 1979 to 2005, I worked for Winn Dixie. I am presently employed at Carlie C’s IGA, where I have worked since 2006.

At the end of 1997, my heart was finally pricked by God. In 1998, He saved me through a message from the passage of Matthew 11:28-30. All I heard was peace and rest from life’s burdens. Though I had always known that God was real and His Son Christ Jesus died for my sins. I was slow to know Him and serve Him as I should, but praise be to God for His word! I know Him better and am growing because for the last nine to ten years I have read it almost daily. I would also like to praise God for the people in my life that helped me come to trust Him. They never turned their back on me, stayed after me, and never gave up on me.

In 1999, God showed me great grace and mercy by allowing me to marry Nona Gail Tyndall. We have a son–Dale, a daughter–Dannielle Wolfe, and four grandchildren.

I consider it a great privilege to serve at Highland Baptist Church as a deacon. I would love for you to visit and worship with us.

Chairman of the Decons Woody Cox

woodygcox@gmail.com
(910) 308-5994

Woody Cox was born in Fayetteville, NC.  Woody married his bride, Candace, on November 23, 1991.  Their first son Grant Cox was born on March 27, 2000, and joined Jesus in heaven on March 28, 2000. Woody and Candace became the parents of Cameron Cox on March 16, 2001.

The Cox family started attending Highland Baptist Church in 1995. Woody has served in many roles at the Church, starting as a youth leader in 1996. In 1997 Woody became a Deacon and has served in that role at varying times for almost twenty years.

Woody began his career at Tile Inc. in May of 2001 and now serves as the Vice President of Operations there.

Woody’s dedication and service to the Lord through his tireless efforts to serve at Highland Baptist Church and the surrounding community is immeasurable.  Woody’s love for his family knows no bounds, and his adoration for his bride can not be measured.    

Deacon Matthew (Matt) King

kingx17@aol.com
(910) 322-4423

Matthew lives and works on the family farm in Robeson County. He is married and has two young daughters. Blessed to be born into a Christian family, he has been a believer in Christ for most of his life. He has been a Deacon at Highland since 2013 and is grateful to also be a part of the praise team.

Deacon Lester Lowe

piratelowe@aol.com
(910) 224-0153

Lester was born in 1961 and raised in St. Louis, Mo. Today he can testify that God has a plan for each and every one of us. He used to say he had a rough childhood, telling his story by saying how he lost his mother at the age of 7; both his brothers died when he was 12. His father was a career Police Officer, a Veteran of WWII approximately 50 years older than him, and to whom he looked up to. Not raised in Church, but connected to an Aunt from Tulsa, OK, who was a God-fearing woman who constantly preached the Gospel. Even though his journey has been a whirlwind, struggling with life’s lessons and a father who worked but attempted to teach me life skills without a wife to raise his children. He became a father at age 16. My oldest daughter was born in July 1978.

Very quickly, he realized he had to do something. He decided to enter the US Army with his father’s signature and entered the delayed entry program. Enlistment date for June 6, 1979. In 1979, in Schweinfurt, he committed his life to Jesus Christ but had fallen short on many occasions. He served in the Army for 15 years, arriving at Fort Bragg, NC, in 1986. After two failed marriages and five kids, God had a plan. In 1988, he reenlisted as a Military Policeman, thus beginning his Law Enforcement career.

Today he is married to his Wonderful Wife, Siggy. On April 30th, 2002, God Blessed me by retiring from the US Army in 1994, a rewarding career with four years with the Fayetteville Police Department and 17 years with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, retiring in August 2016. Now he is blessed with seven kids and 22 grandkids. God had a plan; Siggy was employed with Carlie Cs IGA, around 2011. She began searching for a church; her Manager happened to be Richard Copeland. A visit to a few movie nights and a Singing Christmas Tree here at Highland Baptist Church convinced him. On January 15, 2012, Siggy and I were baptized and blessed to become members.

Loving God and Loving Others. Welcome to Highland Baptist Church.

Deacon David Nash

hopemillsdvn@aol.com
(910) 729-0192

David was born in 1963 in Fort Rucker, Alabama. As an Army Brat, he lived all over the United States and in Germany. Upon graduation from High School, he joined the Navy and spent four years on a ship going all over Asia and three years shore duty in Germany and seeing much of Europe.

David has been a member at Highland Baptist Church since 2017 and volunteers as a member of the Chairman of Personnel Committee, Communications Coordinator, and church photographer.

He is married to Kim, and they have an 8-year-old son, Matthew.

Deacon Mark Whitley

howardwhitley@hotmail.com
(910) 308-0086

A Child of the King! Accepted Jesus in 1973. Initially joined First Free Will Baptist Church in Wilson, NC. Became a member of Highland Baptist in 2002.

Mark has served as Treasurer, Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Finance Chairman, and a member of the Personnel, Finance, and Buildings & Grounds committees.  

Mark taught Discipleship Classes on a Mission Trip to Ukraine and has taught Sunday School, Discipleship, and Small Group Classes.

Hometown: Wilson, NC

Family:  Married with 1 Adult Daughter.