Welcome to Ivy Creek Baptist Church! Our dedicated staff members are passionate about serving our congregation and community. Each team member brings unique gifts, united by a love for God and a commitment to fostering a welcoming environment. We invite you to get to know our staff and join us in worship, growth, and service.
Staff by Department
Lead Staff
Dr. Craig Dale
Craig has served as Senior Pastor of Ivy Creek since June 2010. He has been in church ministry since 1995 and has served in many different capacities, including youth, music, and missions. He holds his Doctor of Ministry degree with a concentration in Expository Preaching from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible from Bryan College in Dayton, TN. Craig was born and raised in Gainesville, GA. He has been married to his wife Caroline since 1998, and they have three daughters and one son (Presley, Maggie, Chloe, and Charlie). As pastor, Craig strives to teach Biblical truths in a compelling and relevant way that encourages people to embrace the call to become followers of Jesus Christ.
Rev. Ted Williams
Ted has lived his entire life in the Buford area and has served as Associate Pastor since October of 2011. Prior to coming to Ivy Creek, he served as associate pastor of a local church for over 13 years. He holds a Masters of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a Bachelors Degree in Accounting and Finance from North Georgia College. In addition to serving our church, Ted is also employed by a local community bank. He and his wonderful wife, Traci, are blessed to shepherd three children (John Alan, Emmaline, and Andrew). Ted and Traci are passionate about serving Christ by serving others. Away from church and the office, you will find the Williams family at a local ballpark, playing or coaching baseball, or helping out on their family’s farm.
Rev. Rick Milner
Rick has been married to his wife Cindy for 32 years. Rick and Cindy have one Son Derrick who is married to Laura, and they serve in Student Ministry at Dunwoody Baptist Church. Rick has been in ministry for over 38 years and has served in churches in Texas and Georgia. Rick is passionate about Senior Adult ministry and Pastoral Care ministry. He is so excited about leading this incredible group of people who love Jesus and want to serve others.
Worship Staff
Dr. Will Whittaker
Will was born and raised in Enterprise, AL. He holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees with emphases in voice and choral conducting from Auburn University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Church Music with specializations in worship and hymnology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of Cultivating Intergenerational Worship. Will is a teacher and clinician at worship conferences throughout America and is an adjunct Professor of Church Music at Truett McConnell University. He is an active member of the Baptist Church Music Conference and Metro II Music Conference. He writes about his research on intergenerational worship on his blog, www.drwillwhittaker.org. Will and his wife, Deanna, have three sons: Jon Thomas, Tyler, and Andrew.
Dr. Will Whittaker
Will was born and raised in Enterprise, AL. He holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees with emphases in voice and choral conducting from Auburn University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Church Music with specializations in worship and hymnology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of Cultivating Intergenerational Worship. Will is a teacher and clinician at worship conferences throughout America and is an adjunct Professor of Church Music at Truett McConnell University. He is an active member of the Baptist Church Music Conference and Metro II Music Conference. He writes about his research on intergenerational worship on his blog, www.drwillwhittaker.org. Will and his wife, Deanna, have three sons: Jon Thomas, Tyler, and Andrew.
Jana Foster
Keith Brown
Brenda Griffin
Brenda Griffin
Alex Shiver
Alex Shiver
Stephen Murphy
Family Staff
Rev. Dave Wiley
Dave grew up in Lilburn, Georgia. He graduated from Shorter College in Rome, Georgia in 1995 with a degree in Psychology and Religion and then moved to Fort Worth, Texas to attend Southwestern Seminary where he graduated in 1999 with a Masters of Divinity. While in seminary, Dave worked with Young Life and Centrifuge Camps. Dave married Danielle in 2007 and they have two daughters, Kathryn and Kaylee. Prior to joining the Ivy Creek family, Dave served as a Student Pastor at churches in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Each step of his journey has prepared him for the next. Dave is passionate about bringing multi-generational ministry into the fabric of discipleship at Ivy Creek Baptist Church. As commanded in Deuteronomy 6, we will grow together to recognize the greatness of God and to help parents be the spiritual leaders of their children. We will step across generational lines to help each other in this journey of life as we walk together in Christ as patterned in Titus 2.
Rev. Jonathan Lodge
Jonathan grew up in a solid Christian home with his father being a Senior Pastor and his mother being a very supportive wife and mother to three boys. He has lived most of his life in Georgia. He graduated from Shorter College in Rome, Ga with a degree in Christian Ministries and an emphasis in Youth Ministry. He began serving with Youth for Christ in 1999 and has been a Minister to Students since 2006. Jonathan joined the staff of Ivy Creek in the beginning of 2023. Jonathan is married to his college sweetheart Deanna, and they have three children, Ethan, Kara, and Emsley.
Caroline Dale
Caroline has served as Creek Kids Director since the summer of 2013. She has served alongside Pastor Craig since 1997 in various roles from worship ministry to women’s ministry and now children’s ministry. Caroline has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Piano Pedagogy from Bryan College in Dayton, TN. She is the proud mother to Presley, Maggie, Chloe and Charlie. From Sunday School classes to Children’s Worship to AWANA to VBS and every moment in between, she counts it a great privilege to partner with families in the discipleship of their children.
Danielle Wiley
Office Staff
Jill Rakestraw
Wylene Mosley