I am honored to serve on staff alongside Matt Schell as a Pastor of Blue Ridge Community Fellowship. The Lord led me to partner with Pastor Matt and Blue Ridge after a previous 17 years serving on staff at a large church here in Oconee County. Over that time I served in various positions as Outreach/Missions Pastor, Care Pastor, and also ministered as Worship Leader.

God called me into ministry in my early 20’s when He asked me one simple question during a motorcycle accident. Through the noise and scariness of crashing a 900cc Honda sportbike at about 50mph He spoke audibly. He said “Do you want to see Jesus, or tell people about Him?” I decided to tell people about Him!

Shortly after I healed from the broken bones and wounds, I moved to TX. I attended and graduated from Emmaus Road School of Ministry, and was given an internship/residency at a Southern Baptist church in Fort Worth, TX. During that time, the Lord opened doors for me to travel as a singer/songwriter with our band called “One Man’s Love”. I learned a lot about life and the Lord while traveling most of each year living out of a tour bus, vans, and airplanes as we saw thousands of people come to faith in Jesus. The Evangelist I worked with, Dave Roever, was a great mentor and influence in my life (along with powerful men of God that taught me in the ministry school and church such as John Wimber, James Robison, Rick Joyner, Jack Deere, Peter Lord, Lee Shaw, Paul Cain, Jack Taylor, TD and Dudley Hall, Leonard Ravenhill, and others).

After about two years, God called me to stop traveling, and plant a non-denominational church in Aurora, IL. (a Chicago suburb) along with my parents, sister, and her husband.

I am originally an Arkansas native, but the Lord has led me to live in SC, TX, and IL also at various points in my life. Thankfully Aurora, IL is where I met my wife Sarah, when she began attending the church we had planted there. We have two sons who are now grown men. Time flies!

Saying “Yes” to the Lord has given me many years of experience as a Pastor in various positions in multiple churches. I love pastoring, and am also passionate about leading people to worship God through songs and music. I have seen the Lord deliver, save, heal, and do other great miracles many times, and I believe God for more! Awakening and revival are at our threshold. Over the years, God has given me opportunities to minister in diverse groups of people, and allowed me to be involved in ministry with multiple churches and ministries in the USA and other countries such as Kenya, Malawi, and Liberia Africa, Haiti, and Mexico.

Sarah and I are honored to help lead Blue Ridge in our calling as a New Testament church. My heart is simply to love and care for people from all walks of life, and to point them to Jesus Christ, unity, and life in His kingdom any way I can.

pastorwilliam@blueridgecf.org

I grew up around Brevard, North Carolina as part of a big family. During my childhood, most of my time was spent outside or reading, often combining the two. As an adult, I still love to read and spend time in nature. I love how creation truly does testify to the glory of God.
Growing up, I was blessed with parents who continually pointed me towards Jesus (they still do) and had the opportunity to grow my own relationship with the Lord in church and over several summers spent at a Christian summer camp, first as a camper and later as a counselor. Looking back, I realize what privilege it was to experience the presence of God at a young age and to know He is a God that is still active and wants to show up in our lives today.
I married my husband, Michael, in my early twenties and finished my degree to become a Physical Therapist Assistant. For over 10 years, I have worked as a therapist in various settings. In that time, I also had the joy of becoming a mother of two boys.
I have always enjoyed working with children and now, between having my own and volunteering at Blue Ridge, I have found myself seeking the Lord more specifically on how to best equip our children to follow Christ. I am excited to come alongside the other members here at Blue Ridge Community Fellowship committed to raising up this next generation to know the Lord.

Mandrake T. Miller has faithfully served in ministry for more than twenty years, answering God’s call with a heart for discipleship, servant leadership, and helping people grow into the fullness of their God-given purpose. His passion is to see lives transformed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to equip believers to live out their faith both inside and outside the walls of the church.

As an ordained minister, Mandrake is committed to preaching and teaching the Word of God with biblical truth, practical application, and compassion. He believes the local church is called to make disciples, strengthen families, develop leaders, and serve as a beacon of hope within the community. His ministry is marked by a deep desire to build authentic relationships, mentor the next generation, and cultivate healthy, Christ-centered leadership.

In addition to his pastoral ministry, Mandrake has served for nearly two decades in Christian higher education, providing executive leadership at several colleges and universities, most recently as Vice President for Student Life at Emmanuel University in North Georgia. Throughout his career, he has led areas including campus ministry, student development, residence life, counseling, leadership development, enrollment management, athletics, and student engagement. His experience in education has strengthened his commitment to developing leaders who lead with integrity, wisdom, and a biblical worldview.

Mandrake is also a proud United States Army veteran, having served in Iraq and Kuwait. His military service instilled in him the values of discipline, humility, courage, and servant leadership, qualities that continue to shape his approach to ministry and leadership today.

He is passionate about investing in young people, strengthening marriages and families, mentoring emerging leaders, and helping churches fulfill their God-given mission. Whether preaching from the pulpit, teaching in a classroom, counseling individuals, or serving behind the scenes, his desire is that every person would encounter the love of Christ and be empowered to walk confidently in their calling.

Mandrake is married to his wife, Shaquana (“Shaq”) Miller. Shaq serves as Assistant Athletic Director at Anderson University, where she mentors and develops student-athletes while encouraging them to pursue excellence both on and off the field. She believes in impacting the lives for Christ, through sports. Together, they have one daughter, Madison, whose joyful spirit and love for family are a continual blessing.

As a family, the Millers are committed to serving God’s people with humility, authenticity, and love. Their prayer is to glorify Christ, strengthen His Church, and see lives transformed by the power of the Gospel.

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” — Matthew 20:26

pastormandrake@blueridgecf.org