Reverend Valerie Burton

Senior Pastor

Valerie is a Nashville native. She is a graduate of Belmont University (Bachelor of Business Administration) and the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (Masters of Divinity).

The rhythms of pastoral ministry and church life suit Valerie’s call to congregational leadership. She believes the local church, at its best, anchors individuals in lives of meaning and purpose while generously serving its community.

Valerie experienced the call to Weatherly Heights Baptist in 2024 as a burning bush inviting her to new, holy ground. She is drawn to contemplative practices of faith while feeling challenged by the current cultural climate to pursue unconventional ministry. “The church needs ministers who will strive to be curious, flexible and creative leaders. I am grateful to work alongside the amazing ministers and faithful people of WHBC who are courageous enough to cast new visions for meeting the needs of a diverse,  post-pandemic world.” Valerie wholly embraces the mission of Weatherly to be a boldly inclusive community, faithfully thinking, and progressively Baptist expression of church in Southeast Huntsville. This is not your grandmother’s Baptist church. This is a free and faithful place where the Spirit of God is on the loose and where those who have never felt they belonged in church before will be fully embraced. 

In her freetime, Valerie enjoys reading fiction and non-fiction; walking with friends and walking the family’s miniature dachshund, Roscoe. She is learning to play golf, and loves camping, traveling, and cooking. Valerie is married to Allan and they have two sons.

Reverend Madison Watts

Associate Pastor for Families

Madison is originally from Las Vegas, NV and earned her Associates Degree in General Studies before transferring to the University of Central Oklahoma to major in Marriage and Family Life Education. Knowing she would need a masters degree and having felt the call to ministry she moved to Waco, TX and earned her Masters of Divinity from George W. Truett Theological Seminary in December of 2019.

She is passionate about Christian Education and encouraging every Christ follower to live into their God given gifts wherever those might be.

In her free time Madi likes to be in the kitchen cooking dinner to share with friends. God’s presence is most often felt while she’s in the kitchen and the ordinary becomes sacred. Traveling and learning from other cultures has been a true joy and she’s had the privilege of doing both local and international missions. This has included trips to Honduras, Peru, and taking a class in seminary on Contextual Evangelism that led to spending a week of Spring Break learning in London.

PureBarre has been instrumental in her physical and mental health as she’s found her way living in Huntsville over the last four years, including friendships. Henri Nouwen, Jen Hatmaker, Madeline L’Engle, Norman Wirzba, and JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series are among some of the few formational authors that have shaped her. She continues to love and enjoy reading and welcomes your recs.

Madison is married to Drew and they are expecting their first child in December of ‘24.

madison@weatherly.org

Harris Gessner

Minister of Music

Harris is a native of Madison, AL where he also serves as choir director of James Clemens High School. He holds a BME in Vocal Studies from Auburn University and a Master’s in Choral Conducting from Emory University. His experience comes from teaching in schools, remaining an active tenor soloist, and as Artistic Director of Alabama Voices, a state-wide choir of music professionals. His ministry experience comes from serving on staff or in interim positions in numerous churches in Auburn, Atlanta, and here in Huntsville.

Harris is driven by the sole focus that our worship services, congregations, and communities deserve the absolute highest level of musical excellence we can provide. He feels incredibly blessed to be named Music Minister at Weatherly Heights Baptist Church.  Harris is married to Bethany and they have two sons, Grant and Sam.

harris@weatherly.org

Kendall Rodkey

Children’s Life and Arts

Kendall is a Huntsville native. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Auburn and is working towards her Masters in Child Life.

Kendall grew up at Weatherly and has served as our summer intern over the last 3 summers and is staying on until December to work with our children’s ministry.

In her free time Kendall likes to read, spend time with her family and friends, go looking for a good a shopping bargain, and cuddle her dog Bailey.