Staff

The pastor is God-called and gifted "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:7-13).

Dr. Gary Hadden, Pastor

Gary Hadden has been pastor of Arlington Baptist Church since March of 2000. A native Georgian, he has served churches in Louisiana and Georgia as a vocational evangelist, youth minister, associate pastor/minister of evangelism, and pastor. He received his masters and doctorate degrees from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and has taught as an adjunct professor at New Orleans South Georgia Extension in Albany, Georgia.

Kathy Hadden, Gary’s wife, is a student at Darton College in Albany pursuing a degree in nursing. They have two sons, John David, an attorney with Carter and Ansley in Atlanta, and Daniel, a junior majoring in early childhood education at Georgia Southwestern in Americus.

Staff members 's ministiy in various areas and enhance and amplify the pastor's ministry as the shepherd of the flock. are extensions of the pastor

	Sylvia Phillips, Administrative Ministry Asst. Sylvia Weideman Phillips was born and lived in Independence, KY all of her childhood years. After graduating from Simon Kenton High School in 1966, she went to Tennessee Temple University, Chattanooga, Tennessee. While working on a BA in Vocal Performance, she met Ron Phillips (from Covington, KY) and after a brief courtship, they were married in 1969. God blessed their lives with three children: Mark (Boulder, CO), Sarah (Carmel, IN), and Paul (Boston, MA) and three grandchildren: Korynne and Kyler Kalen and Oscar Phillips. Teaching children piano skills has been her very rewarding vocation for 33 years. Sylvia has served side by side with Ron for 41 years of church ministry, most recently at First Baptist Church in Blakely, GA. She enjoys designing hand-made greeting cards, cooking, reading, singing, photography, crafts, shopping for bargains, traveling and a little writing. Most of all, she enjoys making people feel special, and serving the Lord in whatever way she can. Best day of her life: When she settled her eternity by faith in Jesus Christ
	Russ Criswell, Assoc Pastor to Family Ministries & Students Russ was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. He graduated from Meadowdale High School in 1979. In August 1979, he enlisted in the United States Army and spent close to ten years serving his country. It wasn’t until November 1989 that he accepted Christ as his savior. Russ accepted God’s call to student ministry in 1993 while attending Super Wow at Jekyll Island, Georgia. Since then he has been working with students & children at church and in the community. Leading students to Christ and watching them grow spiritually is the passion of his ministry. While in high school Russ met his wife Kim who was on Choir Tour from Mable White Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia. It wasn’t until 1989 that they were reunited and married in 1990. They have two boys, Christopher and Chandler. He is currently attending the New Orleans Theological Seminary at the extension branch in Atlanta, Georgia.
	Debra (Dee) Kleckley, Minister of Music . Dee has been a member of ABC for five years and has contributed in many ways to the music, children, and women’s ministries. Our staff is now completed and we request your prayers, encouragement and support as we fulfill the preaching, teaching, equipping and worship ministries to which God has called us to prepare the believers at ABC.