About Us

Dr. J. David Judd is an Atlanta-based minister, educator, researcher, and technology leader who serves as the Minister of Biblical Worldview at First Redeemer Church and Director of Redeemer Bible Institute. He also serves as an adjunct professor and doctoral mentor with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Liberty University. Dr. Judd holds a Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, advanced theological degrees from Liberty University, and an MBA from the University of Maryland.

His academic research focuses on community formation in distance learning and the innovative application of blockchain technology in higher education. He is the author of the book CryptoCollege: How Blockchain Can Reimagine Higher Education, which explores how emerging technologies can reshape educational systems, credentialing, and student engagement.

Before entering full-time ministry and theological education, Dr. Judd spent many years in industrial commerce, technology leadership, and digital transformation initiatives. His unique combination of ministry experience, academic scholarship, and marketplace leadership gives him a distinctive voice in biblical worldview education and Christian leadership training. Passionate about equipping believers to understand and teach Scripture faithfully, he leads RBI with a vision to train biblically grounded teachers who can impact the church and the world for Christ.

Lori Judd is an experienced Christian educator with nearly four decades of classroom teaching and mentoring experience. She holds an Education Specialist degree from Piedmont University, a Master of Education from Georgia State University, and additional Bible education studies through Liberty University. Lori has devoted her life to helping students grow intellectually and spiritually, and she is deeply committed to discipleship and adult education at First Redeemer Church. Her warm teaching style and passion for biblical truth make her a valued part of the RBI faculty.

Jim Lay is a veteran Bible teacher with more than 45 years of experience teaching God’s Word. He currently leads the well-known “Logos Class,” one of the largest adult Connection Groups at First Redeemer Church. Jim earned a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Louisville and spent three decades working with IBM in sales and marketing leadership. His analytical mind, combined with decades of faithful Bible teaching, enables him to communicate Scripture with clarity, wisdom, and practical application. Jim and his wife Vicki reside in Dawsonville, Georgia.

Mike Teston has spent decades serving churches and families through pastoral ministry, discipleship, and biblical counseling. He holds a Th.M. from Capital Bible Seminary and a B.A. from Florida Bible College. Throughout his ministry career, Mike has served as a senior pastor, family pastor, adult ministries pastor, and care ministry pastor in churches across Florida, Michigan, Virginia, and Georgia, including ministry roles at North Point Community Church. He also founded CoreRelations, a marriage and family coaching ministry. Mike brings rich pastoral experience, relational wisdom, and a deep love for discipleship to the classroom. He and his wife, Dr. Kathy Teston, live in Woodstock, Georgia.

Shelly Gregory combines a passion for biblical teaching with a strong background in education and ministry. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, a Master of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Bethel University. With over 25 years in Christian ministry and more than 15 years in education, Shelly currently teaches science and New Testament Survey at Fideles Christian School. She is passionate about helping students see the harmony between biblical truth and God’s created order while equipping believers to confidently engage the world with the gospel.

Dr. Scott Downing is a seasoned pastor and Bible teacher who has faithfully served churches in Georgia and Florida for more than 27 years. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion from Florida International University, a Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary. Dr. Downing previously served as Pastoral Care Pastor at First Baptist Atlanta and has extensive experience teaching the Bible and training church leaders. Known for his pastoral heart and engaging teaching style, he is deeply committed to helping believers grow in spiritual maturity. He and his wife Karen have daughters serving in ministry roles.

David Bearden is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master of Theology degree. Since joining First Redeemer Church in 2015, he has faithfully served through teaching and discipleship ministries, including The Journey Connection Group and Wednesday evening Life Courses. David’s background includes both corporate leadership and pastoral ministry, giving him a practical and relational approach to teaching Scripture. He also serves as a deacon at First Redeemer Church. David and his wife Connie are blessed with a growing family, including children and grandchildren, and he is passionate about helping believers love God wholeheartedly and love others faithfully.

Brandon Elrod serves as a Public Relations Specialist with the North American Mission Board, where he writes mission-focused stories and communications for Southern Baptist ministries and publications. A graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with both M.Div. and M.A. degrees, Brandon combines theological training with a passion for gospel-centered communication and storytelling. His work has helped highlight the impact of missions and church ministry across North America. Brandon brings thoughtful insight, strong biblical conviction, and a heart for advancing the gospel through teaching and communication. He and his wife Amber are raising their son Isaac in the Atlanta area.