James Taylor
Senior Pastor
James became Senior Pastor at Camellia in September of 2020. He is originally from Opelika, AL, and graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor's Degree in History in 2006. In 2012, he graduated from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, with a Master's of Divinity degree in Biblical Counseling and is currently pursuing his doctorate.
He began his ministry in 2007 as a NAMB missionary, serving at the Edgewood Baptist Center in Dayton, OH. He then served from 2009-2013 as Associate Pastor of Counseling & Outreach at Beallwood Baptist Church in Columbus, GA. For seven years, from 2013-2020, he was Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church in Clay, KY.
He has been married to Hilary (from Enterprise, AL) since 2007. They have 4 children: Elijah, Adin, Anna, and Samuel. They have homeschooled their children since 2014.
James primarily preaches expositorily through books of the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says that all Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable to give us everything we need for righteousness and to equip us for good works. Colossians 3:16 is a driving motivation in his preaching, counseling, and ministry, that the word of God would richly dwell in the members of Camellia.
Peyton Kelly
Associate Pastor of Music & Administration
Peyton began serving as Associate Pastor of Music & Administration in July of 2021. He is originally from Ramer, AL and graduated from the University of Mobile with a Bachelor's degree of Music in Church Music in 2011. He has also studied at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.
Peyton began his ministry in 2004 & has served in many capacities in the life of the local church, ranging from children to senior adults & domestic and international missions. He comes to us from Pascagoula, MS where he served as Worship Pastor at Arlington Baptist Church from 2014 - 2021.
He has been married to Kayla (from Vancleave, MS) since 2014.
They have 4 children: Hannah Faith, Elizabeth, Jack, & Bailey.
Blake Turner
Student Ministries Director
Blake became the Student Ministries Director in March 2017. He is also our College and Career Ministries Director, which is available for all individuals 18-25 years old. Blake is married to Kortney Perry Turner of Prattville, AL. He enjoys sports, the great outdoors, and spending quality time with his family. He is currently pursuing his Masters of Divinity in Biblical Counseling from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to his current position, Blake was a Warhawk Recruiter for Auburn University at Montgomery for three years from 2014-2017. He enjoys spending time both at the lake and at the beach. Blake likes to meet new people, so come out and meet our awesome Student Ministries Director/College and Career Ministries Director!
Hilary Taylor
Children's Ministry Director
Hilary is our pastor's wife. While she has served in children's ministry since 2007, she considers her calling first and foremost to help her husband, raise her children, and manage her home. Hilary enjoys homeschooling their four children and traveling. Hilary attended the University of Mobile and completed her degree online with Amridge University after she and James moved to Ohio to serve with the North American Mission Board in 2007. She is currently pursuing ACBC biblical counseling certification.
Tiffany Dorough
Administrative Assistant
Tiffany became a part of Camellia's ministry in 2023. She loves balancing the daily duties of the church office with a good dose of laughter, and enjoys visiting with all who call or come by. She is originally from Pensacola, Florida, where she grew up serving in the various academic, camp, and church ministries of Pensacola Christian College. In 2018, she married the love of her life, Andrew, and moved to his family's farm in Marbury, Alabama.