Say hello to the staff leadership team at Woodlawn Church.

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Joe Lay has been serving as Senior Pastor at Woodlawn Church since 2011. He enjoys watching football, spending time with his wife Laura, two daughters and Granddaughter Collins.

Steve Irwin joined the Woodlawn staff in 2002. He has held several titles during his tenure. He is currently our Executive Pastor, serves as the Campus Pastor for Worship at the Water and leads the Navigator Team responsible for visioning and problem solving at Woodlawn Church. Steve and his wife, Joy, have been married since 2000. They have two teenagers, Landon and Matilyn. They are thrilled to serve the Lord together as a family at Woodlawn.

Bill Small is married to Sylvia Small and has served Woodlawn since 2007 as Worship and Associate Pastor, where he spends his time designing and overseeing all worship services at the church. He loves kayaking, camping, and his grandkids -- not necessarily in that order.

Cameron Winton has been on staff at Woodlawn Church since 2003 when she came on board to serve in Youth Ministry. Since that time she has also helped to implement Celebrate Recovery as well as new member & discipleship opportunities to give people opportunities to grow in their faith. She loves people, the beach, & cheering for the Tennessee Volunteers!

Carmen Harper joined the Woodlawn staff in 2018. She was ordained in 2025 and serves as an Associate Pastor. She leads the Invest Ministry Team which coordinates spiritual formation, facilitates assimilation into the Woodlawn family, and serves as the Pastor of the Woodlawn Child Development Center. She is passionate about sharing God’s Word and spending time with her family. 

Farrah Petski began serving at Woodlawn in June of 2021. She received her Master’s of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2024 and a BA in religion from Samford University in 2017. Farrah was ordained at Woodlawn in 2025. She met her husband, Trevor, at Woodlawn, and they got married in 2022. Farrah loves running, a good cup of coffee, and cheering on the Boston Celtics and Auburn Tigers with her husband. 

Kirstie Cole serves as the Children’s Director, overseeing children from birth through 5th grade and supporting families as they disciple their kids. With a background in both education and ministry, she brings a heart for teaching, missions, and helping kids encounter the love of Jesus.

Kirstie holds a degree in Elementary Education and Learning Behavior Disorders from Asbury University and spent two years teaching in Afghanistan—an experience that deepened her passion for global outreach. Before joining the Woodlawn staff in 2023, Kirstie gained five years of classroom teaching experience and has served in ministry for nearly a decade.

Kirstie and her husband Jeremy, whom she married in 2023, love doing life and ministry together. Whether they’re hiking, playing pickleball, watching TV, or serving in church, their shared desire is to make Jesus known. In her spare time, Kirstie enjoys working out and photography.

Patti Guinn joined the Woodlawn staff in 2008 and is currently serving as ministry assistant for our Student and Children's ministries. Patti and her husband, Jim, have been a part of the Woodlawn Church family since 1990.

Katie Winton joined the Woodlawn Church staff in 2017 and serves as the Director of Technology and Media. She loves traveling and helping ministries share their story through video.

Tonitta Sauls joined the staff as Media Production Assistant in 2024. She has over thirty-seven years of experience teaching computer science in higher education and holding other administrative positions. In her spare time, she enjoys offshore fishing with family and friends, spending time with her grandson, Barrett, and time in her kitchen.

Peggy Willard is married to Sandy and joined the Woodlawn staff in 2012 as the Church Administrator/Treasurer. She loves spending time with her husband, three children, and six grandchildren. She enjoys hiking, going to the beach, and the mountains.

Rebecca Wise joined the Woodlawn team in 2014 and is the Financial Secretary. She met her husband Andy while both were serving in missions and together they love to travel and spend time with family. 

Sheila Tallent has been serving as the Administrative Assistant to the Pastors since 2011. She loves to crochet, dance, and spend time with her family and pups!

Sandy Willard is married to Peggy and has served on staff as the Maintenance Supervisor since 2012. He loves watching Kentucky basketball, spending time with his wife, kids, and grandkids, going to the mountains, and hiking.