Sharpsburg Baptist Church STAFF
WALLACE & NANCY MCABEE
Senior Pastor
wallace.mcabee@sharpsburgbaptist.com
Pastor Wallace McAbee was born in the late 50’s to parents completing their education at Auburn University. The family added two more sons to make a home of three boys growing up playing ball, fishing, hunting, camping, scouting and especially active in local churches. The family’s move to Miami, Florida was a major spiritual marker for Wallace as God clarified what genuine discipleship was all about through the ministry of their church, Perrine Baptist. Early in his college years, Wallace was surprised to clearly sense God calling him into full-time vocational ministry. God’s call leads Wallace to prepare for ministry by pursuing the education necessary to prepare for service in a local church. He holds earned degrees from Auburn University, Southwestern Baptist and Southern Baptist Theological Seminaries. Since his call to ministry, Wallace has served as the pastor of churches in Texas, Alabama and Georgia. Wallace has been the pastor of Sharpsburg Baptist since 2008. He has participated in and has led mission trips to Alaska, Arizona, Ukraine and Kentucky. He is passionate about helping people grow like Christ, think and act biblically and carry out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
Wallace and his wife Nancy make their home in nearby Fayetteville. Nancy is a mortgage loan officer assistant and enjoys serving in their local church. She is formerly Nancy Power of East Point, Ga, graduating from Headland High School and Georgia State University. They have three sons, Justin, Nicholas, and Zachary; daughter-in-law, Sarah and Kendall; and one grandson, Rhett.
MIKE EXNER
Music Minister
Mike Exner was born in Illinois and moved to Newnan, Georgia in 1963. He and his family attended Unity Baptist Church. After graduating from Newnan High School, Mike attended the University of Georgia, where he played saxophone in the Redcoat Band and the University Jazz Ensemble, and he participated in the Baptist Student Union. While he was in college, Mike began directing music at Arnoldsville Baptist Church, near Athens. After graduating, Mike was a part-time music minister at Gay Baptist and Macedonia Baptist churches. He married Jill in 1978, and they joined Palmetto Baptist Church, where Mike directed music and Jill played the piano. Mike taught science in Fulton County Schools for 30 years and at The Heritage School for 8 years. Mike loves to garden, landscape, and build things at their home in Newnan, and he enjoys pitching horseshoes in the Georgia Horseshoe Pitchers Association. Mike and Jill have 2 married daughters and 5 grandchildren. Mike and Jill joined Sharpsburg Baptist in 2018.
JILL EXNER
Accompanist
Jill Exner grew up in Newnan; her father was a band director at Newnan High School, and her family attended the First Baptist Church. Jill played clarinet in the University of Georgia Redcoat Band and then taught English at Palmetto High School and at Creekside High School, retiring in 2011. Jill was the pianist at Palmetto Baptist Church for over 35 years. Jill is a member of the Jubalheirs, a group of Georgia Baptist women musicians; she sings in the chorus and also plays in the orchestra and the handbell choir. Jill and Mike have 2 daughters: Ansley and her family live in Columbus, where Ansley plays piano at her church. Erin and her family live in Senoia; Erin is an elementary music teacher in Peachtree City. Jill loves to read and to have fun with her 5 grandchildren.
JANA BLACKSHIRE
Children's Director
Jana Blackshire was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. I went to Highland Park High School and The University of North Texas. I met my husband at Delta Air Lines where I was a Flight Attendant for 30 years. We married in 2003 and enjoyed flying all over the world together. We moved to Georgia in 2008, when our son was 3 years old. We homeschooled our son, which gave us freedom to show him the world as well. He is now in college and plans on being a pilot for Delta Air Lines. I have been the Children’s Director since 2023. I really enjoy working with the children and planning all of their events. Watching them grow in Christ is such a blessing. I also attend seminary classes at the Georgia Extension Program through The New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary School. For fun, I like to dig deep into the Bible, hang out with my family, travel, drive with the top down through the mountains, knit and write Bible Studies.
NICOLE WILSON
Youth Director
My name is Nicole. I was raised in Coweta county since the early 2000's and was a member of Heatherwood Baptist church where I served in their youth ministry, choir, praise band, S.WA.T (servant with a testimony), VBS, youth camps and retreats, Sunday school, Wednesday nights, Bible journey, fall festival, Christmas and Easter programs. I then graduated East Coweta High School and became a triple major for Christian Psychology, Music Ministry and Christian Studies. I am currently finishing these degrees in the next couple of years. I am so honored to be Sharpsburg Baptist Church’s Youth Director. This church has such a heart for God and His kingdom and people, that it is breathtaking. This beautiful church has not only become our church home but also our church family. A few of my family and my hobbies are singing, playing music, outdoor activities, reading books, volunteering in our community, cooking, serving in our church, and spending time with family and friends. Our goal is to help make heaven crowded and help younger generations find love, faith, light and guidance in our heavenly Father and in His word. I want to invite you to my little piece of heaven on earth, Sharpsburg Baptist Church, and to join our family in honoring God and growing His kingdom. Peace and Blessings
JENNIFER YATES
SBC Bookkeeper
I was raised in Bremen and currently live in Carrollton, Georgia with my husband of 28 years. We have one daughter who currently attends Truett McConnell University in Cleveland, Georgia. She plays volleyball for Truett, so we spend most of our time in the fall attending her volleyball games. When not cheering on the Truett Bears Volleyball Team, we love to play Canasta and other card games with our family. I was blessed to be able to stay home with our daughter for almost 10 years. I have been the Bookkeeper for the Tax Commissioner’s Office in Haralson County since January 2017 and currently work there still on the days I am not at SBC. I’m super excited to be a part of the staff of Sharpsburg Baptist!
CHERI O'NEAL
SBC Office Admin
I am a native Texan, born and raised! My family and I moved to Georgia many years ago due to a work transfer. I have been married since 1989 and have a son that is currently living on the west coast and a daughter, son in law, and two grands that currently live in Florida. My family is the light of my life! I have been the Administrative Assistant/Office Manager here at Sharpsburg Baptist Church since the spring of 2017. I thoroughly enjoy being a part of something bigger than myself. The members here have a heart for missions that is so immense. It is fulfilling to help them with the many great things they do for their community and beyond.