Pastor Tim Beasley
Lead Pastor
Pastor Tim joined Assembly of Praise as Lead Pastor in June of 2025.
Whitney Rylee
Minister of Music
With a heart for Christ-centered worship and a passion for excellence, Whitney has served as the Minister of Music at Assembly of Praise since 2014. Every Sunday, she leads a music ministry committed to creating an atmosphere where people can encounter God's presence, respond to His Spirit, and prepare their hearts to receive His Word.
At Assembly of Praise, every generation worships together through a blend of music that honors both timeless truths and fresh expressions of praise. Our prayer is to cultivate an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit moves freely and hearts are transformed by God's presence.
Whitney earned her Bachelor's degree in Music from Brenau University and her Master's degree in Music Education from Piedmont College. She is also completing her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at the University of Georgia, where her research reflects her passion for helping people grow and learn.
In addition to her ministry, Whitney has dedicated her career to education. She taught choral music at East Hall High School for 13 years, growing the program from just eight students to more than 160. She later served as an instructional coach before becoming an Assistant Principal in 2025, where she continues to invest in students, teachers, and school leadership.
Whether leading worship or leading in education, Whitney's desire is to help others grow, pursue excellence, and draw closer to Christ. She and her husband, Rhett, live in Gillsville with their two sons, Bryce and Tucker, and are grateful to call Assembly of Praise their church family.
Pastor Rhett Rylee
Student Pastor
With a heart for seeing students know Christ, grow in their faith, and live boldly for Him, Rhett serves as the Youth Pastor at Assembly of Praise, where he began leading The Forge Student Ministries in 2026. He believes every student is created by God with purpose and desires to create a ministry environment where students are known, loved, challenged, and equipped to follow Jesus.
The Forge exists to shape students into the image of Christ, strengthen them through God's Word and authentic community, and send them into the world as bold disciples who live out their faith every day. Through teaching, relationships, worship, and discipleship, Rhett's desire is to see a generation of students who know God deeply, stand firm in their faith, lead with Christlike character, and impact their schools, families, churches, and communities for the Kingdom of God.
In addition to stepping into youth ministry, Rhett has worked since 2011 as the General Manager at James Short Tractor in Alto, where he developed a passion for leadership, problem-solving, and investing in others. He has also faithfully served Assembly of Praise as a deacon from 2014–2026 and continues to serve on the music ministry team as a bass guitarist. These experiences have shaped his passion for serving others and building meaningful relationships.
Rhett is married to Whitney (see above). Together, they are grateful for the opportunity to serve their church family and invest in the next generation of believers.
The Forge exists to shape students into the image of Christ, strengthen them through God's Word and authentic community, and send them into the world as bold disciples who live out their faith every day. Through teaching, relationships, worship, and discipleship, Rhett's desire is to see a generation of students who know God deeply, stand firm in their faith, lead with Christlike character, and impact their schools, families, churches, and communities for the Kingdom of God.
In addition to stepping into youth ministry, Rhett has worked since 2011 as the General Manager at James Short Tractor in Alto, where he developed a passion for leadership, problem-solving, and investing in others. He has also faithfully served Assembly of Praise as a deacon from 2014–2026 and continues to serve on the music ministry team as a bass guitarist. These experiences have shaped his passion for serving others and building meaningful relationships.
Rhett is married to Whitney (see above). Together, they are grateful for the opportunity to serve their church family and invest in the next generation of believers.
Pastor Chris Smith
Children's Pastor
Pastor Chris and his wife, Jill, live in Lula, GA. He is a graduate of North Hall High School and North Georgia Technical College. Pastor Chris owns his own business and has held numerous leadership positions in ministry, including Christian Education Director of the North Georgia District in the Congregational Holiness Church. His passion is ministering to children and bringing the Bible alive to them. Pastor Chris and Jill have two daughters, Chloe, who is a senior at Emmanuel College and plays Tennis for the Lions, and Allison, who recently graduated from Emmanuel College and is currently pursuing her Physical Therapy degree. Allison is now married and serves in ministry with her husband.