Blake Thaxter // Director of Student Ministry

After being invited to my friend’s youth group in high school and hearing the gospel, I felt compelled to find out who God was and what that meant for me. I went into college at USF hungry for friendship and open to learning about God. While attending college at (USF) University of South Florida in Tampa, I got involved in an organization called Cru. Through this ministry, I began to understand the importance of having a relationship with Christ. After graduating, I interned with Cru at USF for two years and I met my amazing wife Hillary in Miami during a summer mission’s project with Cru. In May 2014, I moved to Atlanta and got married to Hillary that August. I worked at a mental health facility for a year and half and then, in 2016 I joined staff with Cru. Since following Christ, I have had a deep passion to see students encounter the gospel and while volunteering with the youth in my church, I felt the Lord lead me to serve in a church setting with students. I am so thankful to be able to serve in STS as your Director! I am really looking forward to continuing to know you and your children. I see it as a huge responsibility and privilege to come alongside you and to continue the process of knowing, befriending, loving and discipling your kids. I want you to know that I don’t take this opportunity lightly and I am deeply passionate about encouraging and equipping them to grow into young men who truly love and follow Christ.

Leah Colvin // Girls Ministry Coordinator

I am originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I lived in New York, North Carolina and Louisiana but haved always called Georgia home. I graduated from the University of Georgia and have a M. Div from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. With ten years of ministry experience in Preschool, Children, Youth and College ministry, I have been blessed to do ministry with many different people and I have loved every bit of it! I also love the ocean, all my nieces and nephews and traveling as much as possible!

Savannah Kelly // Girls Ministry Coordinator & STS Admin.

My family has played an integral part in me knowing the gospel of Christ, and I am grateful to have been brought up in the church. I came to know the Lord as a young girl, but learned more and more throughout my middle, high school, and college years how truly desperate my soul needed saving and how great, gracious, and merciful our God is to save.

I have always loved sharing the gospel and teaching the Bible to young ladies and through a series of divine circumstances, the Lord graciously brought me to work here at COTA in STS in 2021. Previously, I earned Bachelor’s degrees in Music Performance and Music Education and taught music in local private and public schools as a band director and woodwind specialist before the Lord made it clear to work and serve in ministry full-time. I am so grateful to work with this awesome STS team and pray that we all —staff, volunteers, parents, and students alike— will grow in our love and knowledge of God all the more in community with one another.

Cooper Sewell // Guys Ministry Coordinator

I was born and raised in Marietta and have been attending Church of the Apostles since 2014. Though raised in a Christian home, it wasn’t until I was a Senior in high school that I truly came to know the Lord. In college, I began serving as a worship leader for STS and other ministries at Church of the Apostles. I graduated from Kennesaw State University and worked as a home builder until I joined the STS staff full-time in 2022. I love music, the outdoors, and spending time with friends and family!

Information

• Hometown

  Marietta, GA

• Family

  Wife: Mary Madison

  Dog: Samwise

• Hobbies & Interests

  Playing guitar, reading, drinking coffee, and spending time outdoors with my wife and my dog!