George and April met while attending The University of Alabama. George received a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. April graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Nursing and currently works for Children’s Health System. George and April married in 1996 and have three precious children: Emily, Sarah, and Bradley.  You can read George's personal blog at www.georgehicks.org.

Dear Friends,

God has a plan for our lives and wants us to have a relationship with Him. I hope you’ll join us on our journey to discover more about God and to have a life-changing relationship with Him.

God also wants us to have meaningful relationships with others. Our church is full of ordinary people who are challenged by the same issues that you face each day. We want to experience life together as we go through the good times and the bad.

I look forward to meeting you soon. Please let me know if there is any way that I can help or pray for you. You’re always welcome at Mountain Valley!

God Bless,
George Hicks 

 

Lance Lee
Pastor of Family Ministries

Lance grew up in Albertville, Alabama, and graduated from Albertville High School in May 1994.  He trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of six during Children's Church and was baptized soon afterwards.  When Lance was a Senior in High School, he felt God's call to vocational ministry.  As a result, he graduated from Union University in Jackson, TN, with a Bachelor's in Christian Ministries and Psychology.

Lance enjoys working with students.  He senses a calling to help equip parents as the primary faith trainer for their children. Lance has served in various Student Ministry positions while in college and while working in his hometown.  Before moving to Alabaster in May 2005, He served as Bi-vocational Minister to Students at Central Baptist Church in Albertville, AL, from September 2001-May 2005.  Lance had the priviledge of being ordained in January 2007 by Westwood Baptist Church, Alabaster, AL.

Lance also serves as a Chaplain/Volunteer Coordinator at Family Comfort Hospice of Alabaster and he hopes to further his education in Biblical Counseling. Lance is married to Suzanne, who teaches seventh and eight grade science at Thompson Middle School in Alabaster, AL.  They have two children: Adeline Grace and Anderson.

Garland Stansell
Music Minister/Worship Leader

Garland is a Birmingham area native who began singing as a five-year-old child in Vacation Bible School. He accepted Jesus Christ as his savior at the age of eight (also at VBS) and was baptized the following year.

Music has always been a central part of Garland’s life and a vital part of his personal and public walk with the Lord.Garland has been active in Church Music programs since childhood. He plays piano, organ, keyboard and trombone. He was in his high school band, where he also served as drum-major for two years. This began his love of directing and leading others.

Since 1980, Garland has served in churches in Shelby and Jefferson counties in various positions from music supply, to interim worship leader to bi-vocational permanent music staff. He was the worship leader of Concord Baptist Church, Calera from May of 1986 through June of 1999. Garland has a passion for worshiping Jesus Christ through music and song and for leading others to experience Christ-centered worship in order to enhance their own relationship with Him.

Garland and his wife, Anne, have lived in Shelby County since 1983. Anne is a teacher in the Shelby County School System and has a passion for Christian Women’s Ministries. Their daughter, Emily, attends Samford University and their son, Oliver, is a student at Thompson.