Our Elders
Jonathan Buttry
Elder pastor, counselor, and PhD candidate in Psychology and Counseling at Regent University. With over three decades of experience in ministry, he has served in a variety of pastoral and teaching roles throughout Appalachia, bringing together theological reflection, practical wisdom, and a deep commitment to helping others navigate life with clarity and purpose.
Jonathan holds a Master of Arts in Religion from Belhaven University and has worked extensively in both ministry and community care, including serving as a case manager for adults with developmental disabilities and as a leader in nonprofit and support-based programs. His professional and academic work reflects a unique integration of theology and psychology, particularly in the areas of trauma, identity, and spiritual development.
Rooted in the Primitive Baptist Universalist tradition, Jonathan’s theological work emphasizes the present reality of God’s presence, the completed nature of Christ’s work, and the restorative purpose of judgment. His research focuses on faith deconstruction and the processes of psychological integration and spiritual differentiation, with a particular interest in how individuals reconstruct meaning in the aftermath of religious and emotional trauma.
In addition to his academic work, Jonathan is a member of Looking Forward Counseling, where he provides counseling services grounded in person-centered, narrative, and existential approaches. He is also the creator of The Open Table of Rogersville and Legion of Heretics, platforms dedicated to fostering honest dialogue around faith, culture, and the human experience.
Jonathan lives in the Appalachian region of East Tennessee with his wife Teresa, to whom he has been married for over 31 years. Together they have raised a large family, including both biological and adopted children. His work—whether in counseling, teaching, or writing—is driven by a commitment to helping people think clearly, live honestly, and engage life without fear.
Reece Maggard
Elder a lifelong minister within the Primitive Baptist Universalist tradition, bringing over 40 years of pastoral experience shaped by both deep theological conviction and the lived realities of Appalachian life. A native of Whitesburg, Kentucky, Reece spent his working years as a coal miner—an experience that profoundly informs his grounded, practical approach to ministry and his connection to the communities he has served.
Throughout his decades of ministry, Elder Maggard has faithfully served congregations across the region, including churches in Akron, Ohio; Pikeville and Whitesburg, Kentucky; Keokee and Norton, Virginia; and Newport, Gatlinburg, and Rogersville, Tennessee. His preaching and teaching reflect a steady commitment to the core convictions of the Primitive Baptist Universalist tradition: the sovereignty of God, the finished work of Christ, and the ultimate reconciliation of all humanity.
In addition to his pastoral work, Elder Maggard played a significant role in preserving the history and theology of the Primitive Baptist Universalists. He assisted Dr. Howard Dorgan in gathering stories, data, and theological insights for the landmark work In the Hands of a Happy God, widely regarded as the essential text on the PBU tradition. His contributions helped ensure that the voices and lived experiences of this tradition were faithfully documented and shared with a broader audience.
Elder Maggard’s ministry is marked by humility, wisdom, and a deep sense of pastoral care. Rooted in the rhythms of Appalachian life and sustained by decades of faithful service, he continues to embody a theology that is not only taught, but lived—offering clarity, stability, and hope to those he serves.