Meet the staff

  • Rev. DAVontaé Edwards

    Associate Minister:  Youth & Young Adults

    Graduate of Marshall University in 2015 with a criminal justice and criminology degree, DaVontaé is eager to see children, youth, and families in the Huntington area grow to know Christ.  DaVontaé graduated from Palmer theological seminary with his Masters of Divinity in Spring 2021.  DaVontaé says that he is blessed to be able to be one of Christ's ambassadors in a church that strives each day to show the love of Jesus Christ in everything they do, and hopes to continue to shine God's light to every person he comes across.  In his free time DaVontaé enjoys working out and playing football, basketball, golf and four square.  

  • RACHAEL GIBSON

    CHILDREN's MINISTER

    Rachael is a Beckley, WV, native and a 2000 graduate of Marshall University, earning an elementary education degree with early childhood specialization.  In 2003, she received a Master's degree in early childhood special education.  She taught school for six years before staying home to raise her children. Rachael is married to Josh Gibson and they have three children, Suzana, Leo, and Nora. She joined FAB in 2006 and attended various churches while living in Lexington, KY, and Durham, NC, before moving back to Huntington in 2013. 

  • jon brannon

    organist & Interim music director

    Jon is a West Virginia native, born in Bluefield. His interest in music began at age 11, and he was appointed to his first organist position at Bramwell Presbyterian Church, Bramwell, West Virginia, in 2004. In that time he studied with renowned keyboardist and composer, Dr. Evan Mack, at Concord University. He also served Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bluefield, for Saturday services. In 2010, Jon was called to Huntington, where he accepted the organist/choir director position at St. Peter's Episcopal Church. It was in this time that he discovered his interest in composition, writing weekly anthems for the choir as well as supplying incidental music to other Episcopal churches in the area for use in special services. He became the organist at FAB in 2015, beginning Palm Sunday.


    Beyond his weekly commitments, Jon has also been featured twice as guest organist at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., for its annual Summer Organ Series. Jon was also invited as the only American competitor in the Galanti Organ Competition in Mondaino, Italy. His other projects have included extensive recording projects that have included a full program on the landmark E.M. Skinner organ at the Washington National Cathedral. Click Here to hear selected tracks from these projects.


    Jon is also busy outside of music. He currently works as a production assistant at iHeartMedia, producing commercials and other on-air material. He is also known as "The Professor" on WBVB's "The Woody Show." In addition to work Jon is interested antique cars, a fascination he has held since a young age.

  • KATIE SHULL

    COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

    Katie has been a member at Fifth Avenue Baptist since 2005 and on staff since May 2020. Katie received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Marshall University in 2009. Professionally, Katie has a varied background to include human resources/staffing, sales and recruitment, marketing, online course development, copywriting, and training--much of which was for two global yoga companies in her decade+ in the yoga industry. This variety of work has prepared her as a passionate teacher/educator, trainer, and organizational leader.


    In March 2022, Katie began her seminary journey at Fuller Theological Seminary Online. She is pursuing a Masters of Divinity, and hopes to complete her degree in Fall 2025. The church voted in support of her Ministry License in May 2022. She looks forward to participating in God's work as she is shaped for her specific call.


    Katie is married to Jared Shull and is the mother to Alden (14) and Jewel (8), along with three fur-babies. In her limited spare time, she loves reading, writing, studying, working out, playing with her family, and spending time outdoors. 

  • lISA DUDLEY

    FINANCIAL SECRETARY

    Lisa has been a member of Fifth Avenue Baptist church since 1982 and joined Fifth Avenue Baptist's staff in July 2017.  As Financial Secretary she brings our congregation almost 40 years of experience and expertise in accounting and bookkeeping.  She has worked in the private business sector in Huntington and Barboursville and additionally has worked in the financial office of another local church.  Lisa and her husband Todd of 37 years have three grown children, (Kristin, Ryan & Joshua) who have blessed them  with with five grandchildren.  (Ethan, Hannah, Bruce, Dwight, Lincoln).  Their children have spread their wings and have moved from West Virginia, so traveling to visit their children and their families is what brings them the greatest joy and is how they like to spend their spare time.