Skip to main content

Leadership at Relevant Church

A team of people helping people live out their purpose in Jesus Christ.

Meet the leadership team of Relevant Church. Since day one, Relevant's leadership has been dedicated to doing everything short of sin to reach those far from God. Get in touch by following the email links in the bios.

Carl & Julie

Nichols

Pastor Carl Nichols is the visionary leader and shepherd of Relevant Church. He and Julie grew up not far from Locust Grove and moved here to launch the church in 2010. Under their guidance and unwavering commitment to faith, Relevant Church has grown into a vibrant spiritual community, whose impact extends far beyond the church walls. They are not only spiritual leaders, but also passionate advocates for justice and compassion. Together with the Relevant Church community, they are championing the cause of human trafficking rescue and rehabilitation.

As Lead Pastor, Carl's primary responsibilities include weekly teaching, leadership development, and directional leadership of the church. In addition, Carl helps direct the Church Leadership Network, a national leadership development network for pastors and church leaders, as well as a national church planting initiative.

As the Executive Director of Culture and Development, Julie works to ensure that Relevant's staff, leadership, and programs align with the church's mission, vision, values, and culture.

Together, Carl and Julie have two boys that they homeschool, and love to travel with and create experiences together as a family. Carl loves sports, especially the Braves, Falcons, Hawks, and Dawgs. Julie loves shopping and dreaming big for her family and her church.

Get in Touch

Leadership Team

Worship Pastor

Charles D. King

Charles has been involved with music ministry since the age of 9. He is passionate about seeing people worship together in unity through diversity. "I believe that the church should reflect Heaven and fulfill Jesus' prayer in John 17; "Father, make them one as You and I are one that the world may believe that You sent me". Charles is an ambassador for multicultural ministry.

In addition to building the local church, Charles is also active in the Christian and Gospel Music Industry. Appearing on platforms such as: BET, GMA and the DOVE AWARDS, Charles uses his musical talents in songwriting, production and performing to reach beyond the walls.

In his role as Worship Pastor, Charles focuses on developing other leaders in worship ministry; creating opportunities that encourages people to worship Jesus. "It is my dream for a person visiting our church for the first time, to look at the people on stage and not know who the worship pastor is. I dream of a culture built around the strength of the people vs the talent of one man".

Children's Director

Amanda Rogers

Amanda is passionate about the next generation. She enjoys reading, music, Mexican food and searching out the best coffee shops. Her best gifts in life are her husband, Isaac and her children, Cohen and Blakely.

In her role as Children’s Director, Amanda focuses on content and development of children ages 6 weeks through 5th grade.

Youth Pastor

Daniel Foster

Daniel is passionate about engaging students and motivating them toward their purpose in Jesus. A few of Daniel’s hobbies include traveling, cheering on the Atlanta Braves, photography, and most of all spending time with his wife, Krista and daughter, Hadley.

In his role as Youth Pastor, Daniel builds leaders, systems, and culture that create environments for middle and high school students to take their next step toward Jesus.

Executive Pastor of Operations

Mark Einersen

Mark is passionate about engaging people and motivating them toward their potential. In addition to working out at the gym, he umpires college and high school baseball, and enjoys sports, music, reading, and writing; but the real loves of Mark's life are his bride, Melissa, and their three girls, Olivia, Natalie, and Brooke.

In his role as Executive Pastor of Operations, Mark focuses on administration, systems, budgets, facilities, and teaching.

Senior Director of Ministries

Renee Perkins

Renee' grew up in South Atlanta. Her and her husband Keith have a son and daughter, Bailey and Kayleigh who keep them very busy. She enjoys reading, shopping and working with Caring for a Cause, a local non profit she is on the board with. She loves being able to help the next generation team help kids to never know a day without knowing Jesus.

In her role as the Ministries Director, Renee' provides leadership to the next generation teams (babies to young adults), foster care and missions teams.

Senior Director of Next Steps

Jamie Kilcrease

Jamie has always enjoyed authentic community and strives to create a warm and welcoming environment where people can kick back and be themselves. She is also a counselor and is passionate about people finding healing and wholeness in order to live life with joy, peace, and purpose. Jamie and her husband, Joshua, are expecting their first son in February of 2024 and are thrilled to be parents!

In addition to being a Professional Counselor, she also holds the role of Ministries Director. In this role, Jamie gets to partner with the Next Steps Team staff members by supporting, guiding, and empowering each of them to thrive in their unique ministries and within their strengths to further the mission of Christ in our local church.

Creative Director

Brandon Conn

Brandon loves God and all things creative. He is passionate about using all forms of media to reach and engage people. He and his wife, Laura, have three children, Ava, Ellia, and Jack.

As Relevant's Creative Director, Brandon oversees and protects all visual and experiential aspects of the church, ensuring alignment with the mission, vision and identity.

Young Adults Director

Jocelyn Deaton

Jocelyn is enthusiastic about all things people; making new friends, cracking jokes, and going on new adventures to build community. She enjoys discovering new music, learning words in other languages, traveling to exciting new places, eating cool foods, hanging with her family (especially her nieces and nephew), cheering on the Georgia Southern Eagles, and all things outdoors. Above all she loves to go hiking with her husband, Joey, while making nature puns the whole way. She loves to hike, and doesn't take it for granite!

In her role as Young Adults Director, Jocelyn concentrates on fellowship, discipleship, and fun for adults ages 18-30.

Next Steps & Recovery Pastor

Rick Carlson

In his role as Next Steps/Recovery Pastor Rick is passionate about developing leaders and helping people take their best step in their walk with Christ. This includes through our wholeness and healing ministries, salvation experiences, baptism, recovery and support groups and other various areas. Rick is also a certified life and recovery coach who is part of our counseling team.

Rick loves music of all venues, singing, watching football, camping, spending time at water environments, mountains, and fire pits. Rick enjoys hanging out with family and friends, He loves to experience laughter and funny situations. Rick is legendarily known for his love of potatoes, something he requires to eat on a daily basis!

Connections Director

Tonya Nelms

Tonya has a genuine passion for guiding people towards their next best steps! She finds immense joy in traveling, decorating, cooking, and playing the energetic game of pickleball. However, it’s her awesome family that fills her heart with the utmost happiness. Her husband, Butch, is not just her spouse of 34 years, but also her closest friend. As a mother, she’s immensely proud of Sheldon and Morgan, who have extended their family with their wonderful spouses, Ashleigh and Austin. Together, they’ve blessed her with four precious grandchildren: Emy, Charleigh, Levi, and Norah, who hold a special place in her heart.

In her role as the Connections Director, Tonya is the guiding force behind the assimilation journey for our VIPs (new guests). She leads them from being newcomers to becoming fully engaged partners of Relevant Church. She accomplishes this through the Welcome to Relevant and Heart and Soul experiences. Additionally, Tonya spearheads our L.I.F.E. Groups, where individuals can continue their spiritual growth journey and passionately pursue their purpose in Christ Jesus.

The Good Life Coordinator

Chad Clark

Chad is passionate about connecting with people as they take steps towards wholeness and healing. His greatest joys in life are his wife Laura, their daughter Edith, and their two dogs Harley and Milly. Chad also enjoys Atlanta sports, collecting sneakers, and creative projects.

In his role as The Good Life Coordinator, Chad focuses on developing leaders, creating safe environments for vulnerability, supporting next step decisions.

Assistant Guest Services Director

Heather Smalley

Heather loves to take adventures with her husband, Stephen, and their two adult children, Josiah and Julia. She loves the beach and you can frequently find her with a book in her hands or playing with her dogs. She has a strong connection to individuals with special needs and their families.

Heather’s jobs at Relevant include volunteer hospitality and supervising the cafe.