Meet the ministry team
P.J. Hicks, MAPC - pulpit minister
About P.J. Hicks
With over 32 years of ministry experience, P.J. Hicks has served in various roles, including Pulpit Minister, Family Minister, Youth Minister, and Missionary. His work spans congregations ranging in size from 30 to 700 members, reflecting his adaptability, leadership, and ability to connect with people of all ages. P.J.’s dedication extends beyond the church, having served as a foster and family services counselor for Potter Children’s Home.
He was born and raised in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains of Floyd, Virginia. After graduating from Floyd County High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Bible, with minors in youth ministry and music education, from Freed-Hardeman University (FHU). During his time at FHU, he met and married his wife, Deborah Epler, and together, they have built a life rooted in faith and service for over 32 years.
P.J. pursued further education to enhance his ministry work, earning a master’s degree in ministerial counseling specializing in family and adolescent development. He graduated from Liberty University in 2023, equipping himself with the knowledge and skills to better support those he serves.
Ministry has taken him across the U.S. and Central and South America, where he has led gospel meetings, seminars, youth rallies, and missionary programs. His leadership extends to his family life, where he and Deborah have adopted their son Brandon, fostered nine children, and hosted 28 international exchange students from six continents. P.J. also worked as an exchange student coordinator, creating meaningful connections between students and host families across the U.S.
Beyond ministry, P.J. has dedicated himself to community service. His efforts include disaster relief work as a Red Cross Disaster Relief Coordinator and with FEMA during natural disasters. He helped pioneer the Southwest Virginia Community Medication Assistance Program, served as a prayer chaplain for the Texas State Legislature, and was an active member of Kiwanis International. P.J. has also shared his technical expertise, serving as an adjunct professor at Wytheville Community College and as a network administrator for Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems.
Contact P.J. at: pjhicks@gmail.com
Brandon Aguilar - Youth & Family Ministry
Brandon was born and raised in Tynan, Texas and was introduced to Lord’s church by a brother in Christ in junior high. Brandon obeyed the Gospel and was baptized into Christ in December of 2019. He graduated from Skidmore-Tynan High School in 2020 and attended Texas A&M - Corpus Christi, taking general education courses. In 2022, he made the decision to change his focus to ministry and enrolled at the Southwest School of Bible Studies in Austin, Texas, graduating in 2024. Shortly after graduation, he became the Youth & Family Minister and continues to serve here. Brandon also became a volunteer firefighter at the age of 18 and continues to serve this community in that capacity as well.
Joy collins - admin. assistant
Joy has been the church administrative assistant for the last 10 years here at Whitney, having moved here following a long career with a railroad operation in the Texas Panhandle.
Contact Joy at: whitneychurch@valornet.com