Bishop John Edwards, has been Senior Pastor here at The Erwin Church of God Spirit Life Center since 2007.  A 1987 graduate of Unicoi County High School, Pastor Edwards attended Draughns Jr. College, East Tennessee State University and the Church of God School of Ministry. He began his pulpit ministry in 1986 and has served in nearly all areas of ministry; youth, evangelism, pastoral, education, media, print, publishing, bereavement, administration and many others. Pastor Edwards and his wife Lori have served the Kingdom of God across the great state of Tennessee, serving Churches in Lafayette, Erwin, Unicoi, Tennessee Ridge, Philadelphia, Westmorland, and Sparta.  This has given them a wide range of experience to bring to bear on the needs of this church and community.  "It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will move in me, molding these God given experiences into tools that He can use to win souls in our community."  
Pastor Edwards' partner in ministry is his beautiful wife, Lori Hire Edwards. Lori grew up in the Southwest Church of God in Indianapolis, IN and met Pastor Edwards at the Lafayette Church of God in 1993 and they were married in 1994.  Lori's beautiful voice, musical training and passion for praise and worship have made her a vital part of the ministry that God has called them both into. Pastor and Lori have one son, James Ryan and his wife Cindy and three grandsons, Desmond, Dakoda, and William.