Senior Pastor
Will Hawk is a native of Columbus, Ga., and spent his teenage years in Midland. He has been married to his high-school sweetheart for 12 years and thoroughly enjoys rough-housing with his three boys and doting upon his daughter. By God’s providence, he was raised in a faithful church where the word of God was preached and the gospel was proclaimed. At a young age, he recognized his need for a Savior and responded in faith and was baptized.
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From that point forward he has grown in love for his Savior and has sought to glorify God through serving his bride, the church. He has worked with underprivileged youths in camp ministry, served in para-church ministries in the local school-system, traveled as a retreat speaker, and serves on the Columbus Baptist Association leadership team. As a pastor, he has ministered in two churches over the past 18 years and looks forward to planting a gospel-centered church expressed through community in Midland, Ga.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Thomas Grocki
Thomas is local to Columbus, GA. He has served in numerous youth leadership roles over the past number of years, has a background in summer camp ministry, and recently graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Christian Ministries.
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Ryne Stokes
Ryne grew up in north Georgia, just south of Chattanooga, Tenn. He moved to Columbus in August 2005 after developing friendships (one with his eventual wife) through a beach retreat for high school and middle school students. By God’s grace, he was raised in a believing home and responded to the Gospel at the age of 8. The Lord used several people in college to spark an interest in learning more about biblical theology which helped to advance his sanctification and love of ministry.
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He has been serving in different capacities within the church, mainly leading worship, for almost two decades. Vocationally, Ryne works for a financial institution providing comprehensive wealth management services. He has been married to his wife, Laura, for 10 years, and they have two children, Luke and Nora. Ryne’s hope is that we, as believers, would remember the gravity of what we have been saved from in Christ and that we would respond with lives that truly taste and see that the Lord is good.
Jimmy Brooks
Jimmy Brooks, with his wife Anne Marie, and their family have been part of the Columbus, Ga., community since 1994 when he joined West Georgia Eye Center. Jimmy came to Christ when God intervened in his life through an FCA high school football coach, and the journey of sanctification continues! Over the past several decades, he has been active in church ministry by serving in roles such as deacon, men’s prayer coordinator, Sunday-school teacher, and finance committee member.
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Jimmy is passionate about local and international ministries and currently volunteers at Columbus’ Mercy Med and the Lighthouse for Christ Mission in Kenya. The Lord has increasingly placed a desire on Jimmy and Anne Marie’s hearts to be used up for the Gospel wherever He may bring them, which now includes Mid Tree Church. Their hope is that God would allow them to be participants in His work of bringing people to see their need for His grace and mercy through Jesus Christ.