LEADERSHIP AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN

The best church leader is a team. At First Presbyterian Church, we’re blessed with an outstanding group of dedicated believers and religious leaders who conduct services, run events and keep our church families and community on a clear spiritual path.

“I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15

Rev. Dr. William (Biff) Coker

My wife, Cheryl (a true Georgia Peach), and I have been married 44 years, only 16 years to go. She’s always said, “After 60 years, I’m going to go sow my wild oats.” We live in Albany, GA and have 3 children. Callie and her husband, Josh, have 2 children, Judson and Rylee. Cammie and her husband, Ryan, have 2 girls, Avery and Mattie. Chase and his wife, Allie, have 1 girl, Whitley. I’m a grad of “The University,” which means I’m a lonely Longhorn surrounded by Bulldogs everywhere in Georgia, including my wife who is a Georgia grad and diehard Bulldog. At Texas, I pledged the KA Fraternity (which explains why I’m a preacher), became a Young Life Club Leader, majored in Psychology (didn’t help, did it?), and graduated in 1977.

After graduation, I was called to be the “Director of Christian Education and Youth Ministry” at the Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in a suburb of Austin. After a year at Westlake Hills Pres, I went to Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta, GA and began Greek School in 1978. While taking classes during my 2nd year, I served as the Youth Director at the Decatur Presbyterian Church. In my 3rd year, Cheryl and I married and moved to Dallas, TX where I served as the College and Singles Intern at the Highland Park Presbyterian Church (God’s country). After spending 15 months in Dallas, we moved back to Atlanta to finish my senior year at Columbia (was hard to leave that Texas BBQ).

After graduation, I was called to serve as the Associate Pastor at the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Albany, GA. After 2 years, I was called to be the founding pastor of a New Church Development in Valdosta, GA. We named the new Church, Trinity, and while there, I completed a Doctorate in Ministry and became certified as a Marriage and Family Therapist. After 300+ members, 3 new buildings, and 18 years, I was called back to Covenant in Albany to become the Senior Pastor.

We stayed at Covenant, for the 2nd time, another 18 years, and on December 31st, 2020, I retired and started playing with grandchildren, buying rental properties, playing golf and hanging out with my Georgia Peach. Shortly after retirement, I was called to provide temporary pastoral services for the First Presbyterian Church in Tifton, GA. Though I’m busier than I was before retirement, it sure is fun! Grace and Peace, Biff