Staff

Jay White
Position: Senior Pastor
email: jay@eastheights.org
phone: (662) 842-49487
Bro. Jay White began as Senior Pastor on Christmas Day of 2022! Joining him is his wife, Heather and three children, Caitlin, Corbin and Ethan. He is from the Oxford, MS area. He pastored for 13 years in Walnut, MS. Prior to that Jay served as Youth and Children's Pastor for 3 years in Tennessee. He holds a Bachelor of Biblical Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Master of Theological Studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. We are glad to have Jay as part of the East Heights team!

Gary Townsend
Position: Worship Pastor/Senior Adult Pastor
Email: gary@eastheights.org
Phone: (662)842-4947
Gary has been serving at East Heights since August 2008. He and his wife, Susan, have been married since 1996 and have 2 beautiful daughters, Rebekah and Kaylee. Before moving to Mississippi, Gary served as Music and Youth Pastor at a church in Dublin, GA for 13 years. He received his Bachelors' Degree in Music Education from Brewton-Parker College in Mt. Vernon, GA. Current hobbies include: spending time with family having fun, doing music, fishing, spending time outside doing whatever. Have recently started another side hobby called Redeemed Palletwerx, which is using pallets in woodworking projects such as sofa tables, coffee tables,etc., etc., etc.
Lastest books read: Currently in 1 Samuel, Holy Roar, Autopsy of a Dead Church
Favorite movies: All Marvel movies, Star Wars saga, Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, Remember the Titans, and The Shawshank Redemption
You can find Gary on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok

Nathan Fitts
Position: Student Pastor
Email: nathan@eastheights.org
Phone: (662)842-4947
Nathan began serving at East Heights in December of 2003. He has served in churches in Leesville, LA, Magee, MS and Shannon, MS and camps at Gulfshore Baptist Assembly. He and his wife, Tina, have 2 boys and a girl, Bradley, Bethany, and Bailey. A Tupelo native and graduate, he also has a Bachelor's Degree from Ole Miss and a Master's Degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Counting camps, he has been working with teenagers for over 30 years and has loved every minute of it and hopes to be blessed with many more.
Quote: "Why live a normal life when you can hopefully impact teens to make a difference for Christ?"
You can find Nathan on Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter.

Mitzi Rock
Position: Administrative Assistant
email: mitzi@eastheights.org
phone: (662) 842-4947
Mitzi began serving at East Heights Baptist Church on February 24, 2022. She attends Living Water Community Church in Mooreville, MS where she is a member of the Praise Team. She is the director of Beginner’s Church, serves on the Hospitality Team, and is the Co-Director of the Feed-The-Need. She served three years as a missionary in Bromhof, South Africa. She has also served on several other mission trips. Upon her return to the United States, she lived in Madison, AL for 12 years serving at Impact Ministries. She returned to Mississippi in 2011. She is a native of Tupelo, MS and has raised three daughters and a son. She has attended Ole Miss and is a graduate of Rhema Bible College in Tulsa, OK. She has a background in accounting as well as being a Real Estate Broker for 14 years.
Philippians 4:13

Abbie Jones
Position: Children's Director
email: abbie@eastheights.org
phone: (662) 842-4947
Abbie is a student at Blue Mountain Christian University. She is majoring in Elementary Education, with a concentration in math and science, and a minor in Christian Ministry. She graduated from Kossuth High School in 2021. She will graduate from Blue Mountain Christian University in December 2024. She, most recently, has served as a ministry intern at Holly Baptist Church in Corinth. She also served last summer as a Camp Counselor at Doe River Gorge Christian Camp. She has passion for children and is seeking to serve the Christ wherever He leads.