Alicia joined the ministerial team at Fifth Avenue Baptist along with her husband, Eric, in August 2016.  A Georgia native and University of Georgia graduate, Alicia originally planned to teach English literature at the high school and college levels -- but God had other plans!  While serving at the BSU at UGA and as a summer missionary, Alicia experienced an unfolding call to ministry.  Stepping out on faith, she headed to the Divinity School at Duke University the fall of 1994, where she met Eric Porterfield, a North Carolina boy.  They married a year and a half later and moved to Sanford, NC, where Eric served as senior pastor at the First Baptist Church and Alicia completed two years of chaplaincy training, served as chaplain for six years at Quail Haven Retirement Village, and had three baby boys in five years.

The growing family then moved to Wilmington, NC, where Alicia wrote adult Sunday School, Bible Study, and Missions curriculum and served as a supply preacher, retreat leader, Christian coach, and interim pastor of First Baptist Church Carolina Beach, NC.  Sensing a call to serve together, Eric and Alicia began praying and God answered that prayer through Fifth Avenue Baptist.  Alicia enjoys learning and laughing with their three sports-minded boys, Davis (15), Luke (13), and Thomas (11).  In her few spare moments, Alicia likes to read, write, sing, and explore her new hometown.

Graduate of Marshall University in 2015 with a criminal justice and criminology degree, DaVontae is eager to see children, youth, and families in the Huntington area grow to know Christ.  DaVontae is currently attending Palmer theological seminary to receive his Masters of Divinity.  DaVontae 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 DaVontae enjoys working out and playing football, basketball, golf and four square.  

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. 

Ann joined the ministerial staff in 2015. She is married to David, and they live in Huntington. Ann is a graduate of Marshall University with a degree in nursing. She is a longtime member of Fifth Avenue Baptist Church..

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.

Donna has worked at Fifth Avenue Baptist Church for 31 years. Donna is a resident of Kenova and is a member of Kenova United Methodist Church, where she enjoys singing in the choir. She has two daughters, Sara Beth and Rachel.

Katie is from Huntington originally, and moved to Williamstown, WV for junior high and high school. Her dad served as a pastor in the Parkersburg, WV area, and her mother as the choir director in the churches where they were called. Katie grew up in and around church life and has felt a strong call to serve a ministry in some capacity for several years. Over the years, life has led Katie through a variety of experiences and studies. She studied Education at Marshall, Organizational Leadership & Development at Mountain State University, Early Childhood Education while working at FAB Care, and ultimately received her Regents Bachelor of Arts with a focus on Marketing and Communications from Marshall University in 2009.

Since 2011 Katie has taught yoga in the Huntington and Ashland area to students in all ages and stages of life. She completed her Advanced Yoga Studies training in 2013 and worked for the past seven years in a variety of roles for two global yoga companies in addition to serving her local clients. In those roles, Katie gained valuable experience in online & email marketing, social media management, web development/design, and communications. Katie has served as the Lead Trainer for a local teacher training for three years. These opportunities paved the way for her current work for a local financial advisor as the part-time Marketing Director, and the position at Fifth Avenue Baptist Church. 

Katie is married to Jared Shull and is the mother to Alden (11) and Jewel (5), 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 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.  

From shoveling snow in the winter to making repairs throughout the building, Dennis has taken care of our church property since 1992. His wife Donna has taught at FAB Nursery & Preschool since 1976. Dennis and Donna have one daughter, Jessica, and a granddaughter, Paige.

Rick, owner of Maxi-Clean, has provided janitorial services at FAB since 1980. Rick lives in Milton with his wife Denise and loves spending time with his four children and six grandchildren.

Hello! I am a junior at Marshall University studying civil engineering.  I grew up in Huntington West Virginia and attended New Baptist Church. Some of my hobbies are playing disc golf, racquetball, watching movies, and hiking. 

My goals with this internship are to develop greater leadership skills, improve my walk with Christ, and to build strong relationships with the youth group and church members.  I enjoy working with youth because I believe it is a critical time in your walk with Christ and the habits built here can impact the rest of your life.  I hope I am able to share experiences from my life and things I wish I knew when I was a youth to help aid in the youth members walks with Christ.  I want to share the idea that God loves you and wants you as you are.  I thank you for this internship opportunity and the chance to further God’s kingdom this summer