Leadership

South Durham Church is congregational and led by a plurality of elders, one of whom serves as the pastor. The leadership roles in the church include elders, Ministry Team leaders, and staff.

Elders

Donnie grew up outside of Greenville, NC and is a graduate of North Carolina State University. As a lifelong learner, he is also a student of intercultural studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Professionally, he leads a team of scientists in RTP. He is passionate about evangelism and international ministry. He and his wife, Amanda, have two kids, Olivia and John.

Donnie Pulliam, Elder

Donnie grew up outside of Greenville, NC and is a graduate of North Carolina State University. As a lifelong learner, he is also a student of intercultural studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Professionally, he leads a team of scientists in RTP. He is passionate about evangelism and international ministry. He and his wife, Amanda, have two kids, Olivia and John.
Aaron grew up in Virginia and North Carolina. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, he spent a number of years in the workplace before the Lord led him to study theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and enter full-time ministry. He loves God, people, and sports (both to watch and play), in that order. He's a fan of the Raiders and UNC basketball. He and his wife, Gwendolyn, have five children: Hayden, Isaac, Olivia, Levi, and Evan.

Aaron Mattern, Elder

Aaron grew up in Virginia and North Carolina. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, he spent a number of years in the workplace before the Lord led him to study theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and enter full-time ministry. He loves God, people, and sports (both to watch and play), in that order. He’s a fan of the Raiders and UNC basketball. He and his wife, Gwendolyn, have five children: Hayden, Isaac, Olivia, Levi, and Evan.
Andy is an Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke University. Andy obtained his PhD in Theoretical Fluid Dynamics from Newcastle University in England. In addition to making sure things sound good on Sunday mornings, Andy loves to think deeply about God's Word and the Christian worldview. Andy loves spending time with his wife Rachel their children, Chloe, Sarah and Daniel.

Andy Bragg, Elder

Andy is an Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke University. Andy obtained his PhD in Theoretical Fluid Dynamics from Newcastle University in England. In addition to making sure things sound good on Sunday mornings, Andy loves to think deeply about God’s Word and the Christian worldview. Andy loves spending time with his wife Rachel their children, Chloe, Sarah and Daniel.

Staff

Aaron grew up in Virginia and North Carolina. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, he spent a number of years in the workplace before the Lord led him to study theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and enter full-time ministry. He loves God, people, and sports (both to watch and play), in that order. He's a fan of the Raiders and UNC basketball. He and his wife, Gwendolyn, have five children: Hayden, Isaac, Olivia, Levi, and Evan.

Aaron Mattern, Director of Operations and Family Ministries

Aaron grew up in Virginia and North Carolina. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, he spent a number of years in the workplace before the Lord led him to study theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and enter full-time ministry. He loves God, people, and sports (both to watch and play), in that order. He’s a fan of the Raiders and UNC basketball. He and his wife, Gwendolyn, have five children: Hayden, Isaac, Olivia, Levi, and Evan.
Born in Chapel Hill (Go Heels), Graham grew up in both Carrboro and Hillsborough. Graham and his wife, Diana, currently live in Durham. They have a beautiful black lab mix named, Charlie. Graham has always loved music, sports, and the great outdoors. Graham attended both Brevard College and Appalachian State. Graham is passionate about leading people in the worship of Christ, especially through music.

Graham White, Director of Music

Born in Chapel Hill (Go Heels), Graham grew up in both Carrboro and Hillsborough. Graham and his wife, Diana, currently live in Durham. They have a beautiful black lab mix named, Charlie. Graham has always loved music, sports, and the great outdoors. Graham attended both Brevard College and Appalachian State. Graham is passionate about leading people in the worship of Christ, especially through music.
April grew up outside of Atlanta, earned her B.A. from the University of Georgia, and moved to Durham to attend Duke University, where she earned her M.A. in Political Science. She is an avid reader of all kinds of books, loves good TV and movies, and is passionate about the Bible and memorizing Scripture.

April Young, Office Manager

April grew up outside of Atlanta, earned her B.A. from the University of Georgia, and moved to Durham to attend Duke University, where she earned her M.A. in Political Science. She is an avid reader of all kinds of books, loves good TV and movies, and is passionate about the Bible and memorizing Scripture.

Ministry Team Leaders

Travis is a native Georgian. He moved to the Triangle to attend the College at Southeastern, where he earned his B.A. He works as an estimator and business manager for a local painting company and is passionate about helping God's people get excited about God's mission in the world. When he's not doing either of those things, you'll find him rooting for the Georgia Bulldogs or spending time with his wife, Logan, and their children, Boone and Willa.

Travis Allen, Hospitality

Travis is a native Georgian. He moved to the Triangle to attend the College at Southeastern, where he earned his B.A. He works as an estimator and business manager for a local painting company and is passionate about helping God’s people get excited about God’s mission in the world. When he’s not doing either of those things, you’ll find him rooting for the Georgia Bulldogs or spending time with his wife, Logan, and their children, Boone and Willa.
Ann is the daughter of a pastor, wife to Chris, and mom to Elizabeth and Will (and Ruby if you count the dog!). Her career experience is in elementary education and marketing. She became a Christian at a young age and is passionate about equipping adults to help children learn to love God and love the Bible.

Ann Kelley, SoDu Kids

Ann is the daughter of a pastor, wife to Chris, and mom to Elizabeth and Will (and Ruby if you count the dog!). Her career experience is in elementary education and marketing. She became a Christian at a young age and is passionate about equipping adults to help children learn to love God and love the Bible.
Gene grew up in Ohio and came to NC to attend Duke U. where he was discipled with the Navigators and shortly thereafter accepted Jesus as his only salvation. Gene is passionate about listening and empowering others so that their voices can be heard, and discipling others to hear God’s voice through bible study and prayer. A PhD data scientist, Gene leads innovative teams of scientists and health care professionals that transform big health data into insights that help patients recover faster. At home, Gene and his wife Rachel raise their quiver of 3 boys Isaiah, Lucas and Simon

Gene Urrutia, Audio/Visual

Gene grew up in Ohio and came to NC to attend Duke U. where he was discipled with the Navigators and shortly thereafter accepted Jesus as his only salvation. Gene is passionate about listening and empowering others so that their voices can be heard, and discipling others to hear God’s voice through bible study and prayer. A PhD data scientist, Gene leads innovative teams of scientists and health care professionals that transform big health data into insights that help patients recover faster. At home, Gene and his wife Rachel raise their quiver of 3 boys Isaiah, Lucas and Simon