our Leadership

A graduate of Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, John and his wife, LeeAnn, served in churches in Washington State before going to Uruguay, South America, where they spent four years as missionaries. Prior to accepting the pastorate at Covina Assembly, the Johnsons spent five and a half years as Senior
Pastors of Calvary Temple in Seattle, Washington. While at Calvary Temple, their church distinguished itself by experiencing unprecedented growth, earning “Church of the Year” honors as the fastest growing church in the Northwest District of the Assemblies of God. Calvary Temple also led the Northwest District in world missions giving for two consecutive years.
The Johnsons arrived at Covina Assembly in the fall of 1999. The church increasingly became a reflection of the multicultural community surrounding it. Covina Assembly under the leadership of the Johnsons for over fifteen years, experienced a growth to over 2,000 in attendance with thirteen campuses spread across the city of Los Angeles. The Church was the leading missions giving church in the SoCal Network of the Assemblies of God. Pastor John and LeeAnn have a passion for seeing people come to Christ and equipping them for release into ministry. Their goal at Covina Assembly was to create a community in which God’s love and power were at work in all members, changing lives and impacting the greater Los Angeles Region and
beyond. Pastor Johnson has served as the General Presbyter for the Northwest District to the General Council of the Assemblies of God and as a member of the National Foreign Missions Board of the Division of Foreign Missions, and currently serves as a member of the U.S. Missions board. He has also served on the Board of
Trustees for Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California. Pastor Johnson has been an Associate Trainer with John Maxwell’s training conferences in Manila, Philippines, teaching/training leaders in the Asian regions.

The Johnsons have three grown children and five grandchildren who all are serving in ministry.

Bob Geabhart loves anything creative. As our Worship and Music Pastor, he gives direction to our Sunday worship experiences each week. He believes that it is through our worship that we are able to pursue God’s presence. Bob also directs and produces many large, seasonal concerts throughout the year. He and his wife, Dianne, have two children and seven grandchildren.

Wanda has been a part of First Assembly Memphis since childhood where she heard God’s call to be a missionary at age 11. She attended Union University and Memphis State,  and married Ramon Talley in 1978 where Ramon was already serving as the Youth Pastor. In 1982 Wanda and Ramon were appointed as AGWM missionaries serving in Medellin and Bogota  Colombia 🇨🇴 planting churches. In 1995, they moved to Quito,  Ecuador after Ramon was appointed Andean Area Director over ministries in Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia and Peru. Wanda was an educational therapist (Discovery Program) at the Alliance Academy in Quito  for 7 years where their children attended school. During that time Wanda also served 14 years in Quito women’s prison, where she led the Alma Libre team winning the lost and making disciples where 32 nations were represented. She and her husband returned in 2015 after 33 years as missionaries to care for her aging mom. Ramon and Wanda have served the church in visitation and teaching to present day. Wanda is believing God for a strong and vibrant women’s ministry that impacts not only Memphis, the mid-south, but also the world.

Bryant McNatt joined the team in 2023. Having served in various ministry capacities throughout his life as a pastor's kid, he has been involved in full-time ministry since 2021, focusing on children's and youth ministries. Alongside his wife Savanna, Bryant is enthusiastic about serving our students, guiding them toward fostering a close relationship with Jesus. They are deeply passionate about discipleship, worship, and building lasting relationships with our students.

Jason Waln began serving in ministry as a children’s pastor in 2012.  After graduating from Central Bible College that same year,  he was called into children’s ministry.  God opened his eyes to the amazing opportunity we have to plant the seed of faith into the hearts of kids. He has developed a passion for preaching and teaching fun, exciting and interactive bible lessons to help bring the Word of God to life in the eyes and the lives of our kids. Jason is so excited to be your children’s pastor and is committed to assisting kids and their families develop their faith and become fully devoted followers of Jesus! Jesus is the answer in our lives and it was Jesus who said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 19:14. Jason and his wife Christa have been married since 2010 and have a beautiful daughter, Annalise Grace. Ministering to kids and their families is their passion and if they haven’t yet, they can’t wait to meet yours.

Eddie Thompson has over 39 years of ministry experience. He has served as a youth Pastor, College and Career Pastor and since 1996, he has served here at First Assembly as adult ministries Pastor and also the Men’s Ministry Pastor.
He has had the opportunity to do missions work in several countries including Iceland, Africa, Brazil, and Mexico. Eddie and Jeannie have been married since 2010 and have 6 grandkids that keep them busy.
Eddie holds a Bachelors Degree from Central Bible College, a Masters and Doctorate in Education from The University of Memphis.
Eddie’s theme verse is found in Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, One man sharpens another.”

David Cross has over 30 years of experience in ministry. David is known as a man who loves God and people, and his passion to serve and minister to others is strong and contagious. He is a gifted speaker and teacher of the Bible who brings wit, experience, and truth to his ministry.  David and his wife, Robin, have 5 children—Marie, TJ, Christopher David, Jonah, and one granddaughter, Mia. One son, John David, who went to heaven in 2002 .

Bill joined the First Assembly Memphis staff in 2015 with over 25 years of administrative and leadership experience in the federal government. Bill and his wife, Eileen, have two children and four grandchildren. Bill’s desire is to serve God and people in a manner that would exemplify Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”