Meet the ministry team
P.J. Hicks, MAPC - pulpit minister
About P.J. Hicks
P.J. and his wife, Deborah, moved to Whitney in June 2025. Together they have faithfully served together throughout P.J.’s 34 years of ministry. P.J. has held various roles, including Pulpit Minister, Family Minister, Youth Minister, and Missionary. His ministry experience spans congregations of all sizes, from 30 to 700 members, showcasing his adaptability, leadership, and ability to connect with people of all ages. Beyond his church work, P.J. has also served as a foster and family services counselor for Potter Children’s Home, reflecting his deep commitment to serving others.
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. advanced his ministry by earning a master’s degree with distinction in Ministerial Counseling, further specializing in the Dobson Family and Adolescent Development Cognate at Liberty University in 2023. This rigorous academic training equipped him with greater knowledge and skills to serve the church and the community more effectively.
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
Joy collins - Secretary
Joy has been the secretary for more than10 years here at Whitney, having moved here after a long career with a railroad operation in the Texas Panhandle.
Contact Joy at: whitneytxcoc@outlook.com