BCA School Board

Contact the Board HERE.
​These are the current members of the Bethesda Christian Academy School Board:

Leanne Brennaman- Chairperson

My name is Leann Brennaman. My family has been a part of BCA since my son started kindergarten in the 2016-2017 school year. We are members of Bethesda Baptist Church. I serve in children’s ministry and on the constitution team at church. I have a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I am self-employed as a senior editor/ contractor with American Journal Experts, where I edit scientific manuscripts for non-native English speakers. I also work as a grant writer for different organizations on a contract basis. I have donated my grant writing services to BCA to help find funding for special projects. My prayer for BCA is that attendance will increase so that we can serve more families and reach more students with the gospel. I am excited to see BCA expanding to a high school. The staff have been a blessing to my family and I have enjoyed serving on the board to help BCA continue to shine as a light for Jesus in Durham.

Talmage Layton

My name is Talmage Layton. I have been a member of Bethesda Baptist Church since 1957. I served on the deacon board, finance committee, and transportation committee. I live in the Redwood Community where we farm and I am active in that community. I am a member of the Redwood Ruitan club and serve as the mayor and program committee chairman. I am a charter member of the Redwood Volunteer Fire Department, where I served as a fire fighter and a board of director member for many years. I am also active in the agricultural community. I am the president of the Durham County Farm Bureau and serve on the state board of directors for North Carolina. I am the chairman of the Durham County Soil and Water board of supervisors. I serve on the Durham County farmland preservation board. I am on the executive board of the Piedmont Rural Community Development Council. I am the chairman of the area for Agricultural Cost Share Committee and serve on the strategic planning committee for the State Association of Soil and Water Districts. I graduated from NC State University and have been married for more than 40 years.

Dale Brooks

My name is Dale Brooks. I was raised in a Christian home and trusted Christ as my Savior at 8 years old. The Lord called me to preach at 17, and I began pastoring at age 20. I earned a bachelor of theology degree at Piedmont Bible College in Winston-Salem, a Master of Theology at Grace Theological Seminary in Indiana, and did graduate work at Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest. I have been a pastor for more than 40 years and have served as Pastor at Grove Park Chapel in Durham since 1990. My wife Karen was the first kindergarten teacher at BCA when the school began. She later started our Grove Park Chapel Preschool, which has had a close relationship with BCA over the years. We have three grown children and two grandchildren. I'm serving my second three-year term on the BCA board and appreciate BCA's commitment to Scripture and to instilling biblical values in the lives of our students. I am praying for increased enrollment and for the door to open very soon for a high school.

Nathan Pannell

My name is Nathan Pennell and I am serving my third year on the BCA board. I grew up in Durham, NC and am a Southern High graduate. I enjoy going on trips with my family, all sports, and playing disc golf. I grew up attending Plainview Baptist Church where I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at the age of 12. I currently serve at Bethesda Baptist Church and have been a member of Bethesda Baptist Church for seven years. I serve as a audio visual team member at BBC and run the soundboard for Sunday morning services.
I attended UNC Charlotte and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Art. I am a Graphic Designer and Vinyl Graphics Manager at Dreamworks Motorsports in Roxboro, North Carolina. I married my beautiful wife, Whitney, in 2013. Whitney is a proud BCA Alumni. We have two wonderful children, both boys. Easton is a kindergartener at BCA and Cameron is in the 3 year old class at Bethesda Christian Preschool.
​My hope and prayer is that we can make BCA the best school it can be and to bring young people to know Christ and to accept Him into their hearts. I pray that Bethesda Christian Academy will be a light in the darkness and a platform for Kingdom education. I believe the school, preschool, and church can all work together as one to make an extraordinary impact on the lives of individuals within our community, to Glorify God, and to share the love of Jesus with all people.

​Dan Johnson

My name is Dan Johnson.  I am the pastor of Cross Culture Church here in the RDU and a North Carolina licensed real estate agent.  I am into my second year serving on the board at BCA.  We have 2 daughters attending.  BCA is an answer to our prayers for a school with a Gospel base and focus while offering diversity and community for our girls.  We are connected and genuinely care about the entire Triangle area. I am passionate about helping others live their best lives according to God’s desire.  I enjoy teaching others and helping them develop into more mature followers of Christ. When I'm not showing houses or preaching, I love traveling and seeing God's creation with my wife, Kelly,  and our two daughters. A huge fan of all sports, I have a special affinity for the Oregon Ducks!

Stephen Poulson

My name is Stephen Poulson and I am excited to be serving my first year as a BCA Board Member. I work for a local pharmaceutical company, Biogen, where I assist families in obtaining therapies for rare diseases. I currently serve as the Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Training at Nehemiah Christian Center here in Durham. I have called Durham home for the past 17 years. I am married to Yolanda Poulson and our two children, Hannah and Micah are students here at BCA. I enjoy sports, travel and all things Marvel Cinematic Universe. The beach is my happy place and whenever traveling with my family on vacation, I am typically searching for aquariums to visit. I am a servant leader and I look forward to adding value to BCA as a board member while assisting in the creation of Ambassadors for Christ.

​Wendy Harris

Hello! My name is Wendy Harris. I have three children who attend BCA: two middle school students and a second grader. I also have a 3-year-old! Unfortunately, in 2017 my husband was called home to God. The years following have been challenging, however BCA has been a huge part of my family’s support system, and we are thankful God is leading us through this difficult loss. Recently I was blessed with the gift of love for the second time in my life and am recently engaged to Joshua Woodall, who has two girls of his own. Together that will make six children, ages 14, 14, 10, 8, 7, and 3!! I attend Spring Valley and Mount Carmel United Methodist Churches in Henderson, NC where my fiancé is pastor. I work for a guardianship agency and am currently studying for a degree in social work. I enjoy spending time with my children, crafting, and planning parties and events. I feel incredibly blessed to serve on the school board and look forward to seeing all the amazing work God will do through the school, staff, students, and parents.

​Skip Marsh

My name is Skip Marsh. I am married to Julie and we are parents of Melinda and Meagan. My wife and I have been a part of Bethesda Baptist Church since 1997. I have served as Youth Leader, Small Group Leader, Deacon and now an Elder. I am a fan and alumni of the University of Tennessee so naturally I am not a Florida fan. Isaiah 55:11 reminds that it is up to God to accomplish the purpose of his word. We need to be obedient to share it so that He can do the work.