Our staff supports the ministries and daily operations of the church through pastoral, programmatic, administrative, and service‑oriented roles.
Dr. Josh Cole
Senior Pastor
Office: 601-981-7236, ext 2
Josh joined Covenant in June 2016. He was born in Virginia and has served churches in North Carolina and Indiana. He has earned degrees from King College, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Erskine Seminary. He is married to Sara and has six children.
Dr. Andrew Mills
Associate Pastor & Director of Youth Ministry
Office: 601-981-7236, ext 3
Andrew joined Covenant’s staff in December 2013. He was born in Southern California and grew up in Orlando, Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida (2009) with a BSBA in marketing and a minor in music. He earned both his Master of Divinity (2013) and Doctor of Ministry (2024) at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. He is married to Nicole and has three children: Leah, Naomi, and Elijah.
Dr. Stephen Sachs
Director of Music Ministries
Office: 601-981-7236, ext 5
Steve joined Covenant in 2005 as Director of Music Ministries. He came to Jackson in 2004 as Belhaven University’s Music Chair. Born in Pennsylvania, he spent 26 years in Harrisonburg, VA as pianist, church musician, and collegiate educator. He received a BA in Music and a BS in Music Education from Lebanon Valley, a Master of Music in Piano from Ohio University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano from The Catholic University of America. Married in 1975, he and his wife Carolyn have 4 children and 14 grandchildren.
Carolyn Sachs
Music Ministries Assistant
Office: 601-981-7236, ext 5
Carolyn joined Covenant Presbyterian Church in 2005 and began serving as an assistant to the music ministry. She grew up in a rural area of Maryland and spent 26 years in Harrisonburg, VA supervising a growing family and teaching piano. Her BA degree in Music is from Lebanon Valley College, PA and her Master of Music in piano is from Ohio University. She married Steve in 1975, and together they have 4 children and 14 grandchildren.
Shelle Abraham
Preschool Co-Director
Office: 601-362-7228
Email:
Shelle has served at Covenant Preschool since 2006 and as the Assistant Director for 17 of those years. She currently is serving as one of the Co-Directors for the Preschool. She is married to Clay, and they have 3 daughters and one grandchild
Susan Weir
Preschool Co-Director
Office: 601-362-7228
Email:
Susan is a lifelong member of Covenant Presbyterian Church and a former Covenant Kid. She has been part of the preschool staff since 2011, serving in both teaching and staff support roles. She currently serves as Co-Director alongside Shelle Abraham. Susan is married to Trey, and together they have two daughters, Kathryn and Lucy.
Sammie Goldstein
Director of Children's Ministries and Nursery Coordinator
Office: 601-981-7236, ext 4
Sammie joined Covenant in 2023. She is from McKinney Texas and attended Louisiana Tech University. She has a degree in Human Development and Family Science, and has worked in Christian education. She is married to Nate who is currently an intern here at covenant and attends RTS Jackson.
Bobby Hansford
Director of Business and Operations
Office: 601-981-7236, ext 7
Bobby joined the staff at Covenant in 2010 and serves as the Director of Business and Operations. He is married to Olivia and has two daughters, Ellie and Emma.
Sarah Gayden Hammond
Administrative Assistant
Office: 601-981-7236, ext 1
Sarah Gayden joined staff at Covenant in 2026 and serves as Administrative Assistant. She is a graduate of Jackson Preparatory School and earned her Bachelor Degree
at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia. Sarah Gayden is involved in her church and community around art, music, and nature.