Dr. Lawrence Powers
Senior Pastor
About Lawrence
Lawrence is a Macon, Georgia, native but has called North Carolina home since he was a child. He is a three-time graduate of Campbell University: BA in Religion and Philosophy (2009), Master of Divinity (2013), and Doctor of Ministry (2020). He began his ministry career serving in youth and college ministry before serving as a Collegiate Campus Minister for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina at East Carolina, NC State, Meredith College, UNC Chapel Hill, and as Baptist Chaplain at Duke University. Before coming to Westwood in 2024, he served as Senior Pastor at Benson Baptist Church in Benson, North Carolina. Since 2022, he has served on the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global Missions Council, most recently serving as chairperson from 2023-2024.
Lawrence’s wife, Heather, is a Campbell University graduate and works as a Certified Athletic Trainer with UNC Orthopedics. Together they have three children: Jackson, Devon, and Kennedy. They also try to keep up with their two terrier-mixes Widget and Oliver.
He loves the beach, mountains, and cheering on the Tarheels and the Camels.
Lawrence’s wife, Heather, is a Campbell University graduate and works as a Certified Athletic Trainer with UNC Orthopedics. Together they have three children: Jackson, Devon, and Kennedy. They also try to keep up with their two terrier-mixes Widget and Oliver.
He loves the beach, mountains, and cheering on the Tarheels and the Camels.
Rev. Amanda Allard
Associate Pastor for Children and Youth
About Amanda
Amanda has worked with Westwood since 2019, starting as an intern for Children’s Ministry and then for Family Ministries, and then in 2021 working as the Minister of Children before being promoted to Associate Pastor for Children, Youth, and Communication in 2025.
Born and raised in the Raleigh area, Amanda has been a part of the Westwood Family her whole life. Her best memories from growing up involve being at Westwood as a youth. She graduated in December 2020 from Campbell University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and is currently enrolled in Campbell’s Divinity School, pursuing her Master of Divinity with a concentration in Christian Education, with an anticipated graduation date of December 2025. She was ordained by Westwood Baptist church through the RBA in May 2024. She was formerly an elementary school teacher at a local elementary school.
Some of the things Amanda enjoys most during her free time are hiking, reading, going to the beach, and especially going to and enjoying all things Disney-related.
Born and raised in the Raleigh area, Amanda has been a part of the Westwood Family her whole life. Her best memories from growing up involve being at Westwood as a youth. She graduated in December 2020 from Campbell University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and is currently enrolled in Campbell’s Divinity School, pursuing her Master of Divinity with a concentration in Christian Education, with an anticipated graduation date of December 2025. She was ordained by Westwood Baptist church through the RBA in May 2024. She was formerly an elementary school teacher at a local elementary school.
Some of the things Amanda enjoys most during her free time are hiking, reading, going to the beach, and especially going to and enjoying all things Disney-related.
Rev. Charles Allard
Pastor Emeritus
About Charles
Charles is from Wilmington, North Carolina where he graduated from New Hanover High. He holds degrees from Mars Hill College, Furman University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He and his wife Gloria served as Missionaries to Brazil for 14 years. Rev. Allard served as Pastor at Westwood from 1995 to 2008. He led the church through two building campaigns and shepherded Westwood through its greatest season of growth. He has had a lasting impact on the life and ministry of the church. In addition to Westwood, Rev. Allard has held North Carolina Pastorates in Bailey, Salisbury, Boone, and Morehead City, and interim positions in Wallace and Clinton. He and Gloria have 3 grown children and 4 Grandchildren. The Allards live in Apex, NC.
He and his wife Gloria served as Missionaries to Brazil for 14 years. Rev. Allard served as Pastor at Westwood from 1995 to 2008. He led the church through two building campaigns and shepherded Westwood through its greatest season of growth. He has had a lasting impact on the life and ministry of the church. In addition to Westwood, Rev. Allard has held North Carolina Pastorates in Bailey, Salisbury, Boone, and Morehead City, and interim positions in Wallace and Clinton. He and Gloria have 3 grown children and 4 Grandchildren. The Allards live in Apex, NC.
Elizabeth Booker
Pianist
About Elizabeth
Elizabeth has been a member of Westwood Baptist and graciously stepped in to fill the Interim Pianist role.
Lisa Baker
Office Manager
About Lisa
Lisa joined our Westwood staff in October 2023 as our Office Manager. She brings a wealth of experience from her background in church administrative work, demonstrating a strong commitment to administrative excellence and a heart to serve the Westwood community. She is married and has two sons.