Rev. Dr. Richard Kannwischer

The Rev. Dr. Richard Kannwischer has served as the Senior Pastor of Peachtree Presbyterian Church since January 2017. Before he arrived at Peachtree, Richard was Lead Pastor at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA, for seven years. He graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, where he currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees. He earned a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and a doctorate of ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. Rev. Kannwischer has served as a trustee for both graduate institutions. Most recently, he has become a member of the Board of Directors at the Fox Theatre. Rev. Kannwischer, a native Texan, is married to his wife, Kelly and they have two teenage daughters.

Course  

Heaven and Hell

Dr. Bo Adams 

Dr. Richard Manly Adams, Jr., known as “Bo,” is the Director of Pitts Theology Library at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, and the Margaret A. Pitts Assistant Professor in the Practice of Theological Bibliography. Trained as a New Testament scholar (PhD Emory University), a software developer (BA Dartmouth College), and a librarian (MLIS University of Alabama), Dr. Adams’s research and teaching interests are in understanding reading communities, reading technologies, and reading practices, both ancient and modern. He is blessed with a wonderful family, including his wife, Windsor Adams, and three children.

Course  

How to Read and Interpret the Bible

Jennifer Batka

As a Certified Spiritual Director, Jennifer gently guides and journeys alongside people in their relationship with God. She leads the Fuller Theological Seminary Spiritual Formation Cohorts at Peachtree Church offering individuals opportunities to learn about and engage with spiritual disciplines that serve as pathways to a closer walk with Jesus. Jennifer also leads women’s retreats, silent retreats, and spiritual formation services. Her hope is people will grow deeper in their faith, experiencing God’s love and compassion. Jennifer has been a member of Peachtree for more than 30 years and she and her husband, David, have two teenage boys and a Boykin Spaniel.

Course  

Discovering Intimacy with God

Rev. Vicki Franch

Rev. Vicki Franch has been a daughter of Peachtree since she was 10 years old as her father, Dr. Frank Harrington, served as senior pastor of Peachtree for 29 years. Rev. Franch attended the Westminster Schools, Duke University, and Princeton Theological Seminary. While getting her seminary degree, she served at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, Newtown Square Presbyterian Church, and served as a chaplain for Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. Vicki is married to Dr. Hal Franch, who is a nephrologist and associate professor of medicine at Emory. They met in high school and have been married since 1983 and they have three children: Carolina, Michael, and James.

Course  

Overview of Revelation  

Dr. Tim Hartman

Dr. Tim Hartman currently serves as an Associate Professor of Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary. He holds a B.A. in History from Stanford University, a M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Theology, Ethics, and Culture from the University of Virginia. Dr. Hartman’s research interests include contemporary Christian theologies worldwide, Christology, and Lived Theology—the interrelationship between religious beliefs and practices. Previously, he served as an associate pastor at Hollywood Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles and as co-mission pastor (with the Rev. Saranell Hartman) of a new church development in Baltimore. He lives in Decatur, GA, with his wife and their three children.

Course  

Jesus Christ in Global Perspective: Who Do You Say That I Am?

Dr. Tim Irwin

Dr. Tim Irwin is a thought leader, author, and speaker on leadership development and organizational effectiveness. A consultant for over 30 years, he served from 2000 to 2005 in senior management of an international consulting firm with over 300 offices worldwide. His work has taken him to over 25 foreign countries in Europe, Latin America, Canada, and the Far East.

Course  

Alpha

Rev. Cody Jensen

Rev. Cody Jensen is a native Californian and grew up in a small mountain town two hours outside of Los Angeles called Big Bear Lake. He attended Cal State University Fullerton and received his Bachelor’s degree in business. During his time in the corporate world, Rev. Jensen spent most of his time volunteering and serving at various churches and always knew he would end up in full time vocational ministry. Cody previously worked at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA, as the Minister of Student Ministries. During his time at St. Andrews, he received his Master’s degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is married to his beautiful wife, Roz, and they have two children. Rev. Jensen brings a deep passion and love for Christ along with laughter, energy, and a deep desire to include all in the family of God.

Course  

Discovering Intimacy with God

Dr. Jay Madden

Dr. Jay Madden grew up in South Carolina, where he attended Furman University. After spending 12 years in Greenville owning and operating a number of businesses, he sensed that God was calling him to serve the church. He joined the staff of First Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC, before making the move to Chicago in 2003 where he served as an Area Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, MN. In 2009, Dr. Madden began serving at Peachtree as Pastor for Mission where he is responsible for Peachtree’s local and global mission partnerships. He completed his Doctor of Missiology degree in 2019 from Fuller Seminary. He is passionate about seeing the Peachtree community reach their full potential in God’s mission in Atlanta and around the world. He and his wife Rebecca, have two children.

Course  

In God's Image: Gospel and Race

Dr. Stephen Newby

An accomplished composer, conductor, gospel/jazz vocalist, and pianist, Detroit native Dr. Stephen Newby brings with him a wealth of creativity, experience, and potency in worshiping Jesus Christ. Peachtree’s artist in residence since January 2020, he accepted the call in July 2021 to be the Minister of Worship. Dr. Newby previously served as a worship pastor in various states for more than 25 years. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music Education and Flute Performance from Madonna College in Livonia, MI. He received a Master of Music in Jazz Composition and Arranging from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. There, his studies in composition were under the supervision of Robert Sutton, Frederick Tillis, Jeff Holmes, and Robert Stern. He returned to Michigan to complete his Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition degree at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He earned a Master’s degree in Theology from Seattle Pacific University. He is married to Stephanie, and they have one son, Silas.

Course  

Renewing Worship: Out of the Sanctuary and Into the World

Dr. Chuck Roberts

A native of Pine Bluff, AR, Chuck Roberts graduated from Arkansas State University with a degree in History, which he discovered was good for nothing except a springboard to graduate school. He earned two Masters degrees from Columbia Theological Seminary (a Doctorate came later from McCormick Seminary in Chicago). Having served churches in Augusta, GA, Greenville, SC, and Pascagoula, MS, Dr. Roberts serves Peachtree for the second time, having been the Minister to Singles from 1989-1995. With a passion for the Bible, for seeing men grow as followers of Jesus, and for the church scattered and effective in the workplace, he can be found covered in sawdust working on projects at home or on his bike around Buckhead or on the Silver Comet Trail when trying to clear his mind. Married to the former Lib Upchurch of Montgomery, AL, Dr. Roberts and Lib have two adult daughters.

Course  

Becoming Barnabas

Rev. Deanne Townsend

Rev. Deanne Townsend has more than 20 years of experience in Children & Family Ministry. She holds degrees in Communication Studies and Children’s Learning and Development in addition to her M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary. The joy of her heart is watching God demonstrate the sweet relationship he has with His children through the institution of the family and partnering with families to raise the next generation for Jesus. Rev. Townsend is from Greenville, SC, and describes herself as a child of the king, wife to Trey, mama of four covenant children, and passionate leader in Children and Family Ministry.

Course  

Faith That Sticks in the Heart of Kids  

Rev. Scott Tucker

Rev. Scott Tucker is an Atlanta native, who began attending Peachtree on Easter Sunday of 2000. After earning a degree in English Literature from Wake Forest University, he attended Columbia Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master of Divinity. Following his seminary studies, Rev. Tucker worked in various roles with non-profit organizations throughout Atlanta and taught middle school religion courses at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, while also serving as the House Chaplain for an assisted living facility in Sandy Springs. With formal theological education and a background in teaching, he began teaching Adult Sunday School classes at Peachtree and soon gravitated to the Grand Adult classes, where he has brought a passion for biblically grounded theological exploration to life. He and his wife, Lauren, have two children and an energetic dog.

Course  

An In-Depth Look at the Apostles’ Creed