Justin Bishop
Pastor
Rev. Dr. Justin Bishop has served at Heritage Fellowship since 2016. He began his ministry here as part-time worship pastor before transitioning into full-time associate pastor, then co-pastor, and, as of May 2025, senior pastor.
A lifelong learner and minister, Justin first worked as a high school English teacher before answering a full-time call to ministry. He grew up right here in Canton and is proud to once again call it home. A graduate of Cherokee High School, Justin credits an English teacher who gave him a keyboard and a family friend who gifted him a guitar with launching his love of music. Today, he plays 17 instruments—if it has strings, there’s a good chance he can play it.
Justin earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Mercer University, followed by both a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from the McAfee School of Theology. His doctoral project became his first published book, Sensing God Online: Navigating Worship in a Digital World, offering practical guidance for churches seeking to deepen worship through online platforms—especially in smaller congregational contexts.
He lives in Canton with his wife and their two sons, Elijah and Benjamin. Whether preaching, leading music, or simply showing up for people, Justin brings a deep love for this community and a passion for helping others find grace and belonging.
A lifelong learner and minister, Justin first worked as a high school English teacher before answering a full-time call to ministry. He grew up right here in Canton and is proud to once again call it home. A graduate of Cherokee High School, Justin credits an English teacher who gave him a keyboard and a family friend who gifted him a guitar with launching his love of music. Today, he plays 17 instruments—if it has strings, there’s a good chance he can play it.
Justin earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Mercer University, followed by both a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from the McAfee School of Theology. His doctoral project became his first published book, Sensing God Online: Navigating Worship in a Digital World, offering practical guidance for churches seeking to deepen worship through online platforms—especially in smaller congregational contexts.
He lives in Canton with his wife and their two sons, Elijah and Benjamin. Whether preaching, leading music, or simply showing up for people, Justin brings a deep love for this community and a passion for helping others find grace and belonging.
Scott Martin
Music Director
Scott L. Martin is the music director at Heritage Fellowship. In addition Scott is choral director at Creekview High School in Canton, GA. and artistic director and principal conductor of the Cherokee Chorale, a community choir based in Cherokee County, GA. Scott holds music degrees from The University of Georgia and Shorter College, where he was a voice student of John Ramsaur, a conducting student of John Ratledge, and a NATS winner. As a clinician he regularly conducts honor choirs around Georgia and is an adjudicator for the Georgia Music Educator's Association Choral Performance Evaluation. Choirs under his direction have been selected to perform for multiple GMEA conferences as well as state and regional American Choral Directors Association conferences. Professional memberships include the National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educator's Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the American Choral Director's Association, where he is the past GA ACDA Repertoire and Resources Chair for High School Choirs. Mr. Martin is also the immediate past GMEA State Choral Chair, and is the current GMEA Music Educator of the year. Scott is married to Laura Burgess Martin, who is the pianist at Heritage Fellowship and choral director at Creekland Middle School. They live in Canton with their children Joseph, Emily, and Gracie.
Laura Martin
Pianist
Laura Burgess Martin is a cum laude graduate of Converse College in Spartanburg, SC where she received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree. She also received a Master of Music in Music Education degree from the University of Georgia. In 2014, Mrs. Martin was named one of Converse College’s 125 Outstanding Alumnae in honor of the college’s 125 th anniversary. In 2011, her 8 th grade chorus was selected to perform at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference.
Mrs. Martin is the choral director at Creekland Middle School in Canton, Georgia. At Creekland, she directs the sixth grade, seventh grade, and eighth grade choirs. In addition to these choirs, she directs two before school choirs – the Creekland Men’s Choir and the Creekland Treble Choir. Mrs. Martin also serves as director of the yearly school musical. Mrs. Martin accompanies choirs on flute and piano and has directed various district and county level middle school honor choirs. Mrs. Martin serves on the Georgia chapter of the American Choral Directors Association board as the Past President representative. Mrs. Martin is the pianist at Heritage Fellowship Church in Canton, Georgia. Mrs. Martin is married to Scott Martin, choral director at Creekview High School in Canton, GA. They have three children – Joseph, Emily, and Gracie.
Mrs. Martin is the choral director at Creekland Middle School in Canton, Georgia. At Creekland, she directs the sixth grade, seventh grade, and eighth grade choirs. In addition to these choirs, she directs two before school choirs – the Creekland Men’s Choir and the Creekland Treble Choir. Mrs. Martin also serves as director of the yearly school musical. Mrs. Martin accompanies choirs on flute and piano and has directed various district and county level middle school honor choirs. Mrs. Martin serves on the Georgia chapter of the American Choral Directors Association board as the Past President representative. Mrs. Martin is the pianist at Heritage Fellowship Church in Canton, Georgia. Mrs. Martin is married to Scott Martin, choral director at Creekview High School in Canton, GA. They have three children – Joseph, Emily, and Gracie.