Phil cofounded Advance International in 2007 and presently serves as President. He is married to Jody Bolton Walker and has 2 daughters, 2 sons-in law and 5 grandchildren. He received his Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and his PhD from Columbia Pacifica University. Phil served as pastor for 40 years with the last 29 years being at Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Madison MS. He retired in January 2019 and since then is actively involved in the expansion of Advance International to teach as many international church leaders as possible. Presently he is a member of Pinelake Church in Flowood, MS.
Advance officers
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Phil Walker
president of advance
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Jim Law
Vice-President of Advance
Jim was born and grew up in Florida. He attended the University of Kentucky for his undergraduate degree and during this time he sensed a strong call to pastoral ministry. After graduation from Kentucky, he began studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and completed two degrees. Since 1993, Jim has served as senior pastor of First Baptist Church Gonzales, LA. He has been married to Gwynne since 1987, and they have six children and five grandchildren. Jim began his work with Advance International in 2010 with special focus on East Asia.
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LEE DAVIS
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Lee Davis is a resident of Bossier City, LA. He and his wife, Carla, have two children. He received his BS in business administration from Louisiana Tech University in 1984. Since that time he has managed multiple men's clothing and other retail stores. He is also a licensed real estate agent with Century 21 Elite. Lee is an adult and student Sunday school teacher and deacon at First Baptist Bossier City, LA. He has a passion for studying and teaching the Word of God.
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Michael Usher
Vice-President of the Board
Michael is a former Chief Financial Officer with Valley Services, Inc., and he spent the first ten years of his career as a CPA with Ernst & Young LLP. He currently serves on the Boards of several not-for-profit organizations and is a part-time business consultant. Michael also is an ordained deacon and has served in various volunteer roles at Ridgecrest Baptist Church, where they have been members since 1992. He and his wife, Peggi, reside in Madison, Mississippi, and they have a son, Alex.
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JEFF DONNELL
BOARD MEMBER
Jeff began working with Advance in 2008. Jeff earned his Bachelor of Arts from Texas A&M University, his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and his Doctor of Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a pastor at Lakepointe Church in Rockwall, Texas. Jeff is married to Sissie Donnell and they have three adult children.
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Jarrod Lamberth
Board Member
Jarrod Lamberth became a believer as while still a high school student, and began to prepare for full-time ministry during college. He currently serves in an administrative role as an Associate Pastor and Elder at First Baptist Church of Gonzales, Louisiana. Jarrod and his wife, Nell, were married in October of 2003, and have 4 children: Jesse, Rebekah, Ethan, and Allyson.
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Dr. Joel Williams
BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Joel Williams has been Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church, St. Francisville, LA since April 2013. He and his wife Tiffany have two adult children, one son-in-law, and one grandchild. Joel loves to preach and teach God's Word, and he has the joy of serving the Lord in his call at FBCSF, as well as in the state and internationally as adjunct faculty for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS). Joel holds degrees from Louisiana Tech University, Louisiana State University, and NOBTS.
