We're Taking Jesus to the World

Meet Our Team

Austin Williams, Senior Pastor

My name is Austin Williams, and I am the Pastor here at Vernon Baptist Church. I got married to the love of my life, Arianna, a year and a half ago. I have only ever lived in Oneida County. This is home for me, and I have a heart for the people here. I want them to know and love their Savior and I want to equip people to make Him known! I graduated from Le Moyne College with a dual major in Business Analytics and Marketing. I also obtained my Masters Degree in Christian Ministry from Liberty University. After graduation, I spent a year and a half as a youth pastor in Syracuse. I am looking forward to continuing to labor here in Vernon, NY. I enjoy spending time with family, watching football, hosting small group Bible studies, going for walks, and when it is warm enough, playing pickleball. As my friend, Tim, has said, it is very difficult to pick one verse as a favorite, but a verse that has meant a lot to me is John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father except through Me." I have always cared about truth, and I have come to discover that Jesus is the truth. My favorite book would also probably be the gospel of John. 

Eric Warner, Deacon

Eric Warner and his wife Deb started attending Vernon Baptist Church in 1985,
shortly after they were married, and joined VBC in 1986 because of the warm
family atmosphere they experienced. Eric has served as a Deacon for over 35 years at VBC alongside four different pastors through those years. He and Deb serve on the praise team together as well. Eric prayed to receive Christ as his Savior when he was 14 years old largely due to the influence of his Uncle Garth and Aunt Mayola Warner, and through their leadership of a Christian youth singing group called The Power Company. Eric started working for his father in the family business when he was 16 years old and now is co-owner with his oldest sister of Warner Sales & Service, Inc. He finds joy and satisfaction in serving people in both his business & church life. Eric enjoys taking vacations with his children, especially at Brantingham Lake, a family tradition since he was a teenager and now shares with his granddaughter (and her parents). His life verses is “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to
harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Frank Macera: Deacon

COMING SOON

Deb Warner, Deaconess/Secretary

Deb Warner has been a member of Vernon Baptist Church for 40 years and has served as the church secretary for 33 of those years. She has also served as a Deaconess for several years and is part of the praise team with her husband, Eric as well. Deb had the privilege of being raised in a Christian home and at a young age, accepted Christ into her heart but it wasn’t until she was a senior in high school that she made a full commitment to the Lord to follow and live for Him daily. Deb married her high school sweetheart, Eric, and they have a son and daughter-in-law who live in Virginia and a daughter and son-in-law and granddaughter who live nearby. She worked in the insurance industry for 35 years, retiring in 2017. Deb enjoys reading, singing and spending time and making memories with her family, especially her granddaughter. It’s a privilege to be a part of a loving body of believers and to serve the Lord at VBC. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

Lizbeth Blanchard, Deaconess

Hi, my name is Lizbeth Blanchard, and I fill many roles at Vernon Baptist
Church. I am the Christian Education Director, a deaconess, and the choir
director. I came to Christ as a young teenager during my parents’
separation. I learned that my heavenly Father would never leave me nor
forsake me and began a fifty-year journey with my Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. I attended Cedarville University (it was Cedarville College then) and
graduated with a degree in English education and minor in Bible. I have
used both degrees in my life, teaching English in an alternative high school
for over thirty years and teaching a woman’s Bible study for as long. I love
to sing and use that for the Lord singing special music and leading praise
team at the church part time. I love to travel, and one of my favorite places
was to tour Israel and see where Jesus walked. My happy place is walking
a beach, because I am reminded that God’s thoughts of us are more in
number than the sand (Psalm 139:17-18)--we are always on His mind! I
have served at Vernon Baptist for thirty years and am grateful to be a part
of this amazing community,

Sheila Sreca, Deaconess

Sheila has been married to her husband, Dale, for almost 28 years. They have one son, Chuck. Sheila is a graduate of VVS, and has lived in the area her entire life. She has been a registered nurse with Oneida Health for 22 years. Almost five years ago, she began attending VBC for a woman's Bible study. She was saved by God, through the faithful women of VBC at the end of 2021. Sheila got baptized a few years after that, and was voted in as a deaconess last year. She leads the medical personnel for our safety and security team at VBC, and helps with some of the other ministries such as Kids Lyfe and Ignite Youth Group. 

Sue White, Deaconess/Cleaner

COMING SOON

Tim Quick, Chairman of Trustee Board

Tim met his wife, Nancy, at the high school they both attended. They have a son, who with his wife and four daughters, resides in the Syracuse area. Tim is a retired Radar Systems Engineer. After retirement, Tim chose activities that would challenge him. These include guitar playing, water color painting, golfing, and operating the church’s media room. He enjoys being outdoors and interacting with his granddaughters. Tim has attended various churches since childhood. He and Nancy have found a home here at Vernon Baptist since 1985. Tim and Nancy initially served as Primary Church leaders for several years. Later Tim taught the Bible to middle and high school aged students for 18 years. He is currently leading one of the home adult Bible studies. Tim has served on the Trustee Board for many of the years he has attended Vernon Baptist. Rather than a particular Bible verse, Tim has a favorite Bible book. Over the years, God has revealed many lessons and encouragements to him through the book of Job.