Meet the team.
Meet the staff of
Jerusalem Baptist Church
Jerusalem Baptist Church
J.P. Handy
Pastor
JP Handy is originally from Collinston, a small town in northeast Louisiana. He became a born-again believer in 1994 at Temple Baptist Church in Monroe, Louisiana, when he trusted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.
During high school, JP sensed a clear call to gospel ministry while serving on a mission trip to Native American communities in Oklahoma in 2006, and he has pursued this calling ever since. He was licensed to the gospel ministry in 2007 by Crockett Point Baptist Church (SBC) in Crowville, Louisiana, and ordained in 2014 by Open Door Fellowship (SBC) in Coushatta, Louisiana.
JP is a graduate of Louisiana College (B.A. in Christian Studies) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.A. in Pastoral Ministry). He and his wife, Juliana, met in 2007 during his senior year of high school and were married on June 27, 2009.
JP has over 15 years of pastoral experience, serving both as an associate pastor and as a senior pastor in full-time and bi-vocational roles. He is committed to the inerrancy and sufficiency of God’s Word and believes that expositional preaching is what nourishes and grows the local church spiritually. His heart for the people he serves drives him to build strong, lasting relationships that enable him to shepherd with compassion and dedication. Bro. J.P. began his tenure here at Jerusalem Baptist Church on December 22, 2024.
During high school, JP sensed a clear call to gospel ministry while serving on a mission trip to Native American communities in Oklahoma in 2006, and he has pursued this calling ever since. He was licensed to the gospel ministry in 2007 by Crockett Point Baptist Church (SBC) in Crowville, Louisiana, and ordained in 2014 by Open Door Fellowship (SBC) in Coushatta, Louisiana.
JP is a graduate of Louisiana College (B.A. in Christian Studies) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.A. in Pastoral Ministry). He and his wife, Juliana, met in 2007 during his senior year of high school and were married on June 27, 2009.
JP has over 15 years of pastoral experience, serving both as an associate pastor and as a senior pastor in full-time and bi-vocational roles. He is committed to the inerrancy and sufficiency of God’s Word and believes that expositional preaching is what nourishes and grows the local church spiritually. His heart for the people he serves drives him to build strong, lasting relationships that enable him to shepherd with compassion and dedication. Bro. J.P. began his tenure here at Jerusalem Baptist Church on December 22, 2024.
Cody Salassi
Youth Minister
Cody Salassi is a student at Southeastern University and is currently majoring in History. He grew up in Central Louisiana, and in High school came to know the Lord. At his previous church he served as a youth leader in addition to working VBS, and being a counselor for youth camps. He is now a student leader at the BCM at Southeastern. He serves there to evangelize to the campus and disciple anyone that needs fellowship, community, and a brother in their life. Cody is our current Youth Minister helping the youth with their walks with Christ. He started here at Jerusalem Baptist Church on May 21, 2025.
Valinda Koerin
Financial Secretary
Valinda Koerin has lived and raised her family in Pumpkin Center and has been a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church since she trusted Christ as her Savior at ten years old.
She was married to Larry “Penny” Koerin for 44 years, until his passing in 2024. She is the mother of three children, grandmother to ten, and great-grandmother to four, and she treasures any time she gets to spend with them.
Valinda studied Industrial Technology at Southeastern Louisiana University and spent many years drawing house plans. She also used her drafting skills while working at BASF and Rubicon in Louisiana and C.F. Industries in Florida.
During those years, she also served at JBC as Financial Secretary (in the late 1990s and early 2000s) and drove a school bus for the Tangipahoa Parish School System. After caring for her parents until their passing, she worked as a bookkeeper in an attorney’s office, eventually retiring from that position.
When Jerusalem Baptist Church needed a Financial Secretary again, Valinda returned to serve. Throughout her years of membership, she has faithfully worked and volunteered in various roles at JBC.
She was married to Larry “Penny” Koerin for 44 years, until his passing in 2024. She is the mother of three children, grandmother to ten, and great-grandmother to four, and she treasures any time she gets to spend with them.
Valinda studied Industrial Technology at Southeastern Louisiana University and spent many years drawing house plans. She also used her drafting skills while working at BASF and Rubicon in Louisiana and C.F. Industries in Florida.
During those years, she also served at JBC as Financial Secretary (in the late 1990s and early 2000s) and drove a school bus for the Tangipahoa Parish School System. After caring for her parents until their passing, she worked as a bookkeeper in an attorney’s office, eventually retiring from that position.
When Jerusalem Baptist Church needed a Financial Secretary again, Valinda returned to serve. Throughout her years of membership, she has faithfully worked and volunteered in various roles at JBC.
Kathleen Chambers
Secretary
Kathleen Chambers has been a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church since she was Baptized at 12 yrs old.
She recently retired from Southeastern Louisiana University after a Grant, Discovery/Renew Family Resource Projects, ended after 14 1/2 years.
She started as Secretary for Jerusalem Baptist Church in October 2025.
She recently retired from Southeastern Louisiana University after a Grant, Discovery/Renew Family Resource Projects, ended after 14 1/2 years.
She started as Secretary for Jerusalem Baptist Church in October 2025.
Judy Bardwell
Pianist
Judy started at Jerusalem Baptist Church as our pianist in October 2016.