Briarwood Presbyterian Church
Church Information
Our People
Rev. Charles N. Bowdler
Senior Pastor and Head of Staff
Reverend Bowdler has been the Senior Pastor for five years. He and Mitzi, his wife, have three elementary age children. Rev. Bowdler is a graduate of Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, Virginia, where he earned a Masters of Divinity and Masters of Theology. Rev. Bowdler is committed to glorifying God and building up the family of faith gathered at Briarwood.
Rev. William S. Smith
Parish Associate ministering to homebound members
The Reverend Dr. William Sheppard Smith is a native of Alexandria, LA. He received his Th. M. from Westminster Theological Seminary and a Th. D. from the Free University of Amsterdam. Dr. Smith also has the distinction of being a Fulbright Scholar. He is married to Rosanne and they have three children. Rev. Smith served Presbyterian churches in Louisiana and Tennessee. He also served as a Missionary to Brazil for fourteen years with a focus on theological education. Dr. Smith is the author of several books. His most recent publication, Make a Joyful Noise, focuses on corporate worship. Rev. Smith is an honorable retired member of the Presbytery of Mississippi.
Rev. Heather Willamsen
Parish Associate
Heather is a graduate of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, Texas, where she earned a Masters of Divinity. She and her husband, Erik, have two young children.
Mr. Barney McCann
Director of Music
Mrs. Judy Foster
Organist
Judy has been the organist at Briarwood since 1975. A graduate of Mississippi College, she recently retired from St. Andrews Episcopal School and the Mississippi Girl Choir. Believing that music and the word go hand in hand in worship services, Judy works weekly to integrate all the worship music-hymns, service music and choral selections - to the glory of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Mr. Christopher Barnhardt
Youth Director
Mrs. Dawn Barnhardt
Director of Children's Activities
Christopher and Dawn Barnhardt have been married for ten years, they have two children a daughter, Kristin, and a son, Jonah. Dawn has also worked as Children's Director at Trinity Presbyterian Church and as a a Teacher-Assistant at Northside Elementary in Clinton, MS, where they live.
Mrs. Audie Dodson
Office Manager
Audie Dodson has been the Office Manager since 2001. She and husband, Monty joined Briarwood in 1980. They have three grown children and three grandchildren. Audie strives to use the gifts and skills she has to glorify God through her work as Office Manager and to further the ministry of Briarwood to the congregation and community.
Mr. Larry Coleman
Church Sexton
Larry Coleman has been employed with Briarwood for 31 years. Born in Flora, MS and has lived in Jackson for over 50 years. He and wife Kathleen have four children. Larry has a wonderful personality and he's always willing to lend a helping hand!
Ms. Josie Moore
Child Care Provider
Josie has cared for our babies and young children for over 20 years. Her nuturing gifts are a blessing to the children of Briarwood and their families.
Ms. Brenda Hyde
Financial Secretary