David Wadsworth - Pastor

I am neither a Northerner, nor a Southerner but an Appalachian American.  I am at home with the people, the culture, the music and natural beauty of the mountains where I was born, raised and now live.

I was formally educated at King College and Union Theological Seminary.  My education continues thanks to congregations I have served in Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina and TN/VA.  My primary pastoral interests are preaching, teaching and hands on mission outreach endeavors like Habitat for Humanity.

I cherish the time I get to spend with my wife, children and grand children.  I am a devoted fan of University of Kentucky basketball, bluegrass music, banjos, bicycling, wood working and gardening.

  Jason Harris - Seminary Intern & Youth Ministry Leader

Jason Harris grew up in Erwin, TN where he served as the part-time youth ministry leader at his home church, Rock Creek Presbyterian Church. After getting his feet wet and discerning a clear call into full-time ministry, Jason moved to Greenwood, SC to serve as the youth ministry leader of Westminster Presbyterian Church. While there, he received a good dose of southern culture and hospitality—he learned that grits should be served with every meal, the shag is the only way to dance, and that tea isn’t really “sweet” until it makes your teeth hurt.

Jason returned to the Tri-Cities to finish his undergraduate education at King College and graduated with a BA in Bible & Religion and a minor in Intercultural Studies (Missions). During his time at King, Jason served as the Contemporary Worship and Youth leader at Addilynn Memorial UMC in Bristol, TN. Jason came to serve as Central’s Seminary Intern in July 2008 and is pursuing a Masters of Divinity at Erskine Theological Seminary in Due West, SC. When Jason isn’t at the church or tending to his studies, he enjoys spending time playing, traveling, and watching Star Wars with his wife Laura and his son Jonah (6).

 Alice Blanton - Program Director

Alice Blanton was born in Charlotte, N.C. at Presbyterian Hospital to two Baptists.  Little did she know that one day she would be a Presbyterian!  Alice graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, VA with a Bachelor of Arts and is currently working on her Master of Arts in Christian Education at Union-PSCE in Richmond, VA.

Alice is married to Rob and while living in Nashville, TN they joined First Presbyterian Church.  Alice worked at their church’s day school as a toddler and two year old teacher for several years and also taught Sunday school.  Being active in the school system as a volunteer, directing VBS, serving as a deacon, and involved with Christian Education have proven to be great experiences and preparation for her position at Central.  Alice has served as our Director of Programs since October 2003.  The Blanton family includes two children, Laura and Robbie, a chocolate lab named Elliott that chews on air conditioners and a feisty cat named Lilly.

  Patty Caldwell - Office Manager

Patty Caldwell is the senior member of the church staff, having worked at Central since 1987.  She is a native Bristolian and a graduate of King College (English major).  Patty has been active in the APA (Administrative Personnel Association of the Presbyterian Church USA) since 1991 and has achieved her Level III Certification as a “Fellow in Church Administration.” She competes in Senior Olympics and has won several medals at the District and State levels in running (sprints), swimming (IM, Breast, Butterfly, & Back strokes), softball, field events, and horseshoes.  Patty is an avid quiltmaker and needleworker and belongs to the Bristol TN-VA Chapter of Embroiderers’ Guild of America.  Her other interests include anything Star Trek, reading, jigsaw puzzles, going to waterparks, and riding rollercoasters.

  Mark Rash - Keyboardist

Mark Rash is a native of Bristol, VA. At an early age, he began riding the bus to Walnut Grove Baptist Church, a small Southern Baptist church in Mendota, VA. Around the age of 5, he expressed an interest in music and his parents arranged piano lessons with the pastor’s wife. As he continued exploring and developing his talent, he became involved in choir and congregational music, as well as accompaniment for the children’s music program. After several years of service at Walnut Grove, he served El Shaddai Baptist Church and, later, the Bradley Street Baptist Church.

A family connection between Central Presbyterian and Bradley Street resulted in Mark being asked to substitute for the keyboardist at Central. Shortly after doing so, he was asked to return in part-time capacity, later leading to a permanent involvement. During this time, he investigated the beliefs and workings of the Presbyterian Church and began to see how they matched so well with his own personal beliefs and convictions. Also during this time, he and his wife, Shannon, met and became members of the congregation.

In 2007, Mark obtained his Bachelors in Business Administration and Information Technology at Colorado Technical University Online. He is currently seeking to pursue a Masters of Instructional Technology at Virginia Tech Online. When he isn’t involved in church, work, or study, he enjoys spending time with his wonderful wife Shannon, as well as working with computers, web design, video games, and spending time outdoors.

 Selena Jackson -  Director

Selena Jackson joined the Central staff in August 2004 as the Director of APPLE Institute Pre-School and Childcare.  She is wife to Bryan and mother to Steven and Chloe, teenagers who attend Tennessee High School.  Together their family enjoys Tennessee Football, Duke Basketball, shopping and pizza!  They have been members at Fellowship Chapel for ten years. Throughout her twelve years in early childhood education, Selena has enjoyed teaching infants, toddlers, pre-school and school age children as well as mentoring staff.  She is a graduate of Virginia Highlands Community College with an AAS degree in Human Services with a specialization in Early Childhood Development. 

Donna Leonard has served as APPLE bookkeeper since 1999 and is a long-time Central Presbyterian Church member.  She grew up in Bethel Presbyterian Church in Kingsport, Tennessee and received her BA degree from King College.  She enjoys flower gardening and arranging and has a growing collection of daylilies (and most of the weeds native to Southwest Virginia).  Her son, Brandon, currently resides in Brisbane, CA.

   Laura White - Finance Director

Laura White grew up in Tucson, AZ where she attended undergraduate school at the University of Arizona and finished with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.  Additionally, she received her commission as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army and went on active duty as a Military Intelligence officer.  Captain White came off of active duty in 1988 and stayed in the reserves until 1992 when she was pregnant with the first of her two children. She continued on her educational path by completing her Master of Arts Degree in Computer and Information Systems Resources Management.
 
After teaching computer classes in a college venue and as an independent contractor, she went back to school and completed 18 more graduate hours in Accounting so that she could teach accounting at Emory & Henry College.  After teaching at EHC for four and a half years, she put her teaching career to the side and completed the national exam required to become a Certified Public Accountant. 

Laura currently lives in Abingdon, VA with her children, Josh (soon to be 17) and Lauren (soon to be 15), whom are her focus of attention when she is not working at Central.  She enjoys attending their soccer games, working out, riding horses, reading, gardening, working with the Boy Scouts, and sewing.
 

  Donna Fowlkes – Interim Organist

 Donna Fowlkes came to Bristol from the Shenandoah Valley of VA where she graduated from James Madison University in Harrisonburg with a Bachelor of Music Education degree.  She enjoyed teaching music in public and private schools in SW VA for 25 years but now finds herself volunteering in local non-profits such as Bristol Faith in Action, Crossroads Medical Mission, and the Children's Advocacy Centers of Virginia.

  Robert Campbelle - Interim Choir Director
Robert Campbelle grew up in Columbia, SC and became active in his church and in music at an early age. Following completion of his undergraduate degree in music theory at Furman University in Greenville, SC; he served 5 years in the U.S. Army, first as a performer with the U.S. Military Academy Band at West Point and then as a teacher for the Advanced Band Leader courses at the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, VA. After the Army, he received the Master of Arts degree in music theory & education from Columbia University-New York, followed by extensive doctoral study at Indiana University-Bloomington.

Robert has served as a part-time music director almost continuously since his freshmen year at Furman, serving churches in South Carolina, New York, Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio. He has sung with a number of civic and semiprofessional choral groups, including 15 years with the Cincinnati Camerata, and is active as a composer and arranger; with numerous performances by local and regional orchestras, choral groups, college choirs, and of course church choirs—including his own. Robert’s full-time job for the past 25 years has been in technical writing and project management. He is currently a test project manager with CGI in Lebanon, VA.

Robert and wife Susan moved to Bristol in 2008 after living 18 years in Cincinnati, OH. Hobbies include cooking, reading, composing, house projects, and catering to their cats’ every whim.