Leadership

Jonathan serves as the Lead Pastor at Eastanallee Baptist Church. He graduated with his Master’s degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and he has been serving in the ministry for over 20 years. Jonathan served as the Student Pastor at Birchwood Baptist Church for nearly 6 years before being called to Candies Creek Baptist Church where he has served for 13 years. Initially called as the Student Pastor, the church recognized the gifting of God on his life as a pastor and made him the Co-Pastor in which he served for three years. He stepped into the role as Lead Pastor at Eastanallee in February of 2024.

Jonathan is married to his wife of 18 years, Amanda. Together they have four kids; Corban, Jadon, Kyson, and Livia. They are both lifelong residents of Bradley County. He loves his family and being involved in their lives. He is convicted that he is the primary disciple-maker of his home and seeks to infuse the Word of God in every aspect of life with them. Jonathan enjoys sports, running, writing music, singing, preaching, teaching, and being outdoors hiking or hunting.

Josh serves as the Student Pastor at Eastanallee Baptist Church. He previously served in the Student Ministry as a leader before stepping in and leading the College Ministry for 2 years before transitioning in as the Student Pastor in 2018. Josh received his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies with a minor in Youth Ministry from Piedmont International University.

Josh has grown up in Athens and loves small town living. He also enjoys hunting, movies, and LSU football. He has been married to Ramie since June of 2011 and they have 3 amazing children; Noah, Naomi, and Niam who they love dearly.

Our Disciple-Making Pastor is originally from Shelby Township, Michigan. He attended Michigan Technological University, and while at MTU, the Lord began leading him into full-time ministry. He completed an Associate’s Degree in mechanical engineering. After a year of engineering work and seeking the Lord’s guidance, the Lord led him to attend Tennessee Temple University in the Fall of 1993. After completing his Bachelor of Arts in Bible, he was offered a position in the Admission’s Office at the University, and the opportunity to pursue a seminary degree.

In 1998, he married his wife, Katie. He received his Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, and shortly after, Birchwood Baptist Church called him as their pastor, where he served for 15 years. In 2017, our pastor accepted his next ministry assignment to serve as Headmaster of Candies Creek Academy, where he served for over 7 years before joining the Eastanallee staff. He and his wife, Katie, have six children: Jake ('02), who is married to Katelyn, Sydney ('04), Graham ('06), Mitchell ('07), Heidi ('14) and Emory Kate ('18). Their family enjoys time together, playing and watching sports, playing board games, hunting, and taking vacations with family.

Matt Coleman joined the Eastanallee staff in 2024. He was born and raised in Tennessee, spending his early childhood years in Cleveland and Murfreesboro before attending Middle School and High School in Western Kentucky. Matt grew up playing the piano, saxophone and guitar. He began leading worship in his youth group and Baptist Collegiate Ministries. In 2006,

Matt graduated from Campbellsville University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pastoral Ministries, and a minor in Church Music. Matt and Jackie were married one month later. In May of 2007, Matt was called to be the Worship Leader at a church in Ooltewah where he served for 7 years, and was later joined by Jackie as she took the position of Director of Children’s Ministry.

Matt was ordained in August 2008. In 2014, the Colemans left their church in Ooltewah, and shortly after, began to help with a church plant in Cleveland, Tennessee. Matt and Jackie also accepted teaching positions at Candies Creek Academy, a ministry of Candies Creek Baptist Church. Matt and Jackie have been married for 19 years and have two children: Liam ('08), and Ember ('11).

Ryan Armstrong serves as the Director of Children’s Ministry at Eastanallee. He joined the Eastanallee staff in 2026. 
Ryan earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Tennessee Wesleyan University, a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Lee University, and an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University. He has worked in education for 16 years.
After eight years as a classroom teacher and coach, the Lord radically transformed Ryan’s life. Through His Word and His people, God began shaping him toward a life of godliness and opened his eyes to what it means to live fully in Christ. This transformation deeply impacted both his personal life and his work in education, shifting his focus to the spiritual needs of his students, colleagues, and friends.

Throughout his career, Ryan has developed strong instructional practices that he has also used to serve in ministry contexts. He has led a college and young adult life group, facilitated discipleship groups and Bible studies, and taught students through his local church and FCA. His background in coaching has also provided opportunities for ministry, including serving as a Hoops Huddle leader in Waco, a group leader at Clearwater’s summer basketball camp, and a coach in Upward basketball. Ryan is convicted that he leads his home as the primary disciple-maker. Ryan and his wife, Christy, have been intentional in building a gospel culture in their home where they treasure God’s Word and treasure one another. 
The Lord has always given Ryan a passion for the next generation whether it has been college and young adult students, grade-school students, or his own children at home. He is fully convinced that the greatest need for the next generation is Christ and is committed to faithfully teaching the truths of scripture. 
Ryan and Christy have been married for eight years, and together they have three children: Ellis (5), Truett (4), and Leo (2). They have lived in McMinn County for most of their marriage, aside from the first three years which they spent in Waco, Texas. As a family, they enjoy time together, being outside, home-cooked meals, reading, hosting neighbors and friends, and relaxing together on quiet evenings.

Amber began attending Eastanallee in 2012, and joined the EBC staff in 2015 serving as the Director of Children’s Ministry for three and a half years. She also served as the Administrative Assistant at EBC for nearly three years before transitioning to her current position as the Office Administrator.

Amber has a degree in Business Administration and worked as a Billing Specialist for over 15 years before joining the EBC staff. Amber is married to Stacy, and together, they have three children; Blake, Baleigh and Emerson. Stacy and Amber have been blessed to serve as Middle School leaders in the EBC Student Ministry for the past three years.

Melanie LaMunyan joined the Eastanallee staff in 2024. She has had a heart for service her whole life and serves in various roles at EBC and in the community. She currently leads the Operation Christmas Child- Tennessee Valley Area Team as the Area Coordinator. Melanie has also been involved with Victory Volleyball Academy, a local girls' volleyball club, for the past six years, and has served as their administrator for four years now. Before settling in East Tennessee, she was a Navy wife for 18 years and lead wives' support groups for different commands.

Melanie has been a member of Eastanallee for 10 years, and has served EBC in many capacities during that time. Melanie oversees the GO Cafe ministry and has done so since it began in 2021. She served as a Kindergarten Sunday School teacher, and is currently part of the 5th Grade Sunday School teaching team with her husband, Bill. She has served at many Eastanallee events, in addition to these roles.

A Riceville native, Toby has been associated with Eastanallee in one way or another for over 60 years. Six years ago, The Lord radically changed his life and he follows Jesus with a servant’s heart. For three years he has been the Custodial Supervisor of the church, serving the Body of Christ at Eastanallee. He loves to stay behind the scenes and whether he’s reading the word, praying, repairing or cleaning the building, he loves working for Jesus.