Leadership

Mike Dorough is a native of Cordele, GA and a graduate of Crisp County High School.  He graduated from the University of Georgia in Athens where he was a member of the UGA Concert Band and College Republicans.  As a college student, he was selected to participate in the Governor's Intern Program and served in the State Capitol during the Georgia General Assembly. He married Julie Widdowson at First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, FL in June 1988.  They have two children, John Michael (1993) and Holly Ann (1995).   John Michael is married to the former Holly Strickland of Lula, GA.  John Michael and his wife made Pastor Mike and Julie grandparents with the births of their sons Wyatt in 2021 and Strickland 2024.

Julie is also a UGA graduate and serves as a buyer for Hall County, GA.  Mike received his Master’s degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in Lynchburg, VA.  Prince Avenue Baptist Church in Athens, GA licensed him to the Gospel Ministry in 1990.

After serving almost seven years as a Youth Pastor in Virginia, he returned to his home state and began serving at Second Baptist Warner Robins in December 1996.  In 2016, God called the Doroughs to Northeast Georgia, where Mike has pastored two churches.  Pastor Mike and Julie are SEND Network approved church planters of The North American Mission Board to plant Transformation Church.  He has led mission trips to Russia, Germany, Brazil, Poland, The Bahamas, Nicaragua, as well as mission trips throughout the eastern United States.  The Doroughs love spending time together watching Georgia Bulldog sports and vacationing together at the beach.  Julie currently leads our Children’s Ministry. Pastor Mike’s life verse is Romans 8:28 and his favorite song is “Because He Lives.”

Associate Pastor Brad Thomas feels extremely fortunate to have grown up in a Christian home where his dad was a minister and his mom participated in church, whether it was playing the piano or singing in the choir. Brad accepted the Lord as his personal Lord and Savior when he was fourteen years old during a revival service. He graduated from Stockbridge High School, then served our country in the U.S. Navy. He was also able to attend ITT Tech where he pursued a Computer Science degree.  Brad’s career is in telecommunications.

In September 2006, Brad was blessed to marry his wife Amanda (“Poo”) Thomas. They have five amazing children, Miranda, Candace, Mikey, Addy, and Maddy. They have also been blessed with one granddaughter, Summer, along with two great sons-in-law.

In September of 2006, Brad accepted God’s call to preach at Central Baptist Church. In 2011, he was ordained as a minister at Glory Road Baptist Church. During Brad’s journey as a minister, he considers himself blessed to serve around great men of God who have mentored him along the way. His current favorite song is The Well by Casting Crowns.  His favorite hymn is Because He Lives and he loves to hear his mom sing it. His favorite verse is Ephesians 1:6, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  

Brad enjoys fishing, hunting, and hiking. He especially loves being in the mountains of Montana and Wyoming.  He often feels closer to God enjoying these hobbies in His creation.

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Back in the mid 70’s, David started working with audio in his church in Cleveland, GA for the youth choir.  From this experience it was clear to David that he enjoyed doing it.  As the months went by, it was clear to David that God had given him a passion to serve the local church in this ministry.  David says, “From this exciting beginning, the Lord was getting me to be ready for bigger and better things, even though I was not aware of it at the time.”
Later, David was asked by a friend to run sound for him at Concord Baptist Church in the mid 80’s.  He learned even more about sound- what to listen for when adjusting a sound system for optimal sound.  It was about this time that he felt the call of the Lord to really make this His passion and calling in life.
 
David faithfully served at Concord Baptist in Clermont, GA for 22 years before the Lord called him to Transformation Church Gainesville, GA.  During the 22 years at Concord Baptist, David learned and worked with several different audio systems from analog to digital.  During those years, Concord hosted large productions and musicals which David oversaw with Pastor James Dollar.  Concord also launched three satellite locations during this time.  David helped install all the video, lighting and sound equipment for these campuses.  He then trained volunteers in operation of the sound equipment.

David’s vast experience is invaluable for Transformation Church as we are a young, portable church plant seeking a permanent location.  He is currently working with the Behringer X32 Producer mixing console and will be installing a lighting system when the time is correct, along with other projects that are worship and service related in the church.  The Lord has given David an invaluable range of talent and knowledge that he hopes to use as Transformation Church grows for the glory of God.

David edits and uploads our weekly sermons and plans to move our church to Livestreaming video when the time is right.  He oversees our website and all technical aspects of Transformation Church.  David truly has a servant’s heart and Transformation is blessed to have him on our team!