Senior Pastor

Buren has served as the Senior Pastor of Eagles Way Church since 1976 and is widely known for his positive, inspiring, and down-to-earth teaching. He and his wife, Barbara, live in Griffin, Georgia, where the church began in 1964. Under Buren’s leadership, Eagles Way Church has touched the lives of hundreds of people seeking Christ. The church has actively supported mission programs both locally and around the world, sharing a message of faith, hope, and love. A visionary and gifted communicator, Buren’s greatest passion is loving people and helping them grow in their relationship with Christ. When he isn’t teaching or mentoring, Buren enjoys golfing, grilling, and cherishing time with his three grandchildren. He and Barbara share the joy of ministry with their daughter, Dusty Takle, serving side by side to guide and encourage the next generation of leaders at EWC.

Executive Pastor

Will moved to Griffin with his family after spending his early years in the Chicago area. He completed his education at Griffin Christian Academy and graduated from Gordon College with a business degree. Ordained in 1992, Will served as Youth Pastor at Eagles Way Church for twelve years and later as part-time Associate Pastor from 2003 to 2008, while also serving as Executive Director of the Spalding Collaborative Authority for Families and Children, Inc. He now serves as Executive Pastor at Eagles Way Church. Will and his wife, Jennifer, were married in 1988 and have three children and three grandchildren.

Associate Pastor

Born and raised in Griffin, Georgia, Dusty Takle grew up as a pastor’s kid, which shaped her lifelong passion for guiding and encouraging others in their faith. After earning her degree from Georgia State University in 1995, Dusty spent four years teaching middle school before turning her focus to raising her family and serving Eagles Way Church. Ordained into ministry in 2011, Dusty later became a certified life coach in 2020, bringing both spiritual guidance and practical support to those she serves. She currently serves as Associate Pastor alongside her father, Buren, and teaches on several Sundays throughout the year. Dusty and her husband, Kris, who is an elder in the church, have three children and are committed to nurturing both their family and church community.

Pastor of Finance

Joe was appointed an elder at EWC in 1985 and ordained as a pastor in 1990. He served the Griffin community as a CPA from 1974 to 2024, known for his integrity and dedication. Alongside his wife, Linda, he has built a loving family of two children, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Joe is passionate about mentoring others in faith and leadership and finds great joy in serving at EWC, where he continues to make a lasting impact through financial guidance and his unwavering commitment to the church community.

Pastor and Pastoral Counselor

Linda completed the Basic Course of Training for the Ministry of Prayer Counseling in 1996 and the Advanced Course in 1997. She also completed the Basic and Advanced Courses in Theophostic Counseling in 1999, along with additional seminars to further equip her for ministry. Linda and her husband, Joe, have been devoted members of Eagles Way Church since 1985, and together they serve as ordained ministers. They have with two children, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, and are passionate about guiding and supporting others in their spiritual journey.

Children’s Director

Layna was born and raised in central New York state. She came to know the Lord as a little girl and always attended a nondenominational church. After moving down to Georgia to attend University of Georgia, where she received her degree in Advertising, she began attending Eagles Way Church and volunteering in the children’s ministry (where she’s stayed for 25+ years!). She is married to Michael, and they have three grown children, whom she homeschooled for a period of time. She was director of EWC ministries for 3 years before taking a break to teach Pre-K at Crosspointe Christian Academy, but is happy to be back doing what she loves most—teaching children God’s Word. Layna also enjoys helping her husband behind the scenes with his business, as well as being nanny to her little nephew during the week.

Music Director

Michael was born in Georgetown, Delaware and moved to Griffin, Georgia with his family as a young boy. He attended First Presbyterian Church in Griffin for a time before coming to EWC, where he’s been a member for over 30 years now. Michael has always enjoyed listening to and playing music from a young age. He attended Gordon State College and graduated with a degree in music and has owned and performed in his Beatles tribute band—the Return—since high school. In addition to many odd jobs, he’s also taught guitar lessons and volunteered in the praise band over the years before taking over as musical director. He is married to Layna, and they share three grown children.

Financial Administrator and Media Director

Barbara was born and raised in Griffin and has faithfully served alongside her husband, Buren, in leading Eagles Way Church for over five decades. Throughout the years, she has served in many roles, from helping lead worship and the youth in the church’s early days to serving as church secretary. Barbara currently oversees all of the accounting and leads the EWC Media Team. Her greatest passions are Eagles Way Church and her family. She has been married to Buren for more than 50 years, and together they have one daughter, Dusty Takle, and three grandchildren.

Administrative Assistant

Connie was born and raised in Ohio and is a graduate of Mount Vernon Bible College. She married the late Leonard Ziebarth, and together they spent more than thirty years serving in pastoral ministry and mission work in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In 2002, Connie moved to Griffin, Georgia, and began serving at Eagles Way Church the following year. She is a devoted mother of two and a proud grandmother of four, and she continues to bring a heart for ministry, missions, and service to the EWC community.