Pastors and Staff

Sara Aiken, Director of Student Ministries

Sara directs all of the churches ministries for Middle and Senior High School students (11-18 yrs old). Our church and youth are very fortunate to have Sara’s leadership and vision. She is uniquely capable of ministering to youth and creating an environment for them to grow in the Lord. Sara is also the head volleyball coach at Greeneville High School. She and her husband, Dr. Todd Aiken, have six beautiful children - Jules, Eden, Trudi, Willow, Nori, and Tobias. .

Thomas Ervin, Associate Pastor of Worship

Thomas leads the worship ministries (Sunday services, Celebrate Recovery, choir, etc.) and provides general leadership and pastoral care. He is ordained in the Church of God (Anderson, IN) and a graduate of the East Tennessee State University, majoring in Vocal Music Performance. He is married to Karen and they have two sons, Jonathan and Will. 

Karen Knight
Karen Knight, Financial Coordinator

Karen compiles, reports, and maintains all areas of finance in the congregation and para-church ministries (Locust Springs, Noah's Ark, COGBI). She is married to Jerry and they have two grown sons, Eric and Sean. 

Jeanine Lasko, Children's Ministry Coordinator

Jeanine coordinates the Sunday children's ministries including the nurseries and age 5-11 classes. In her capacity, she leads our volunteers in these vital ministries within our church. Jeanine has a significant background in child care, having owned and operated child care facilities and volunteered extensively within our congregation. She is the mother of three grown children - Kristen, Kayla, and Blake and the grandmother of four adorable and loved grandchildren.

Nathan Leasure, Senior Pastor

Nathan is the primary preacher in the weekend services and is the lead administrator who, along with the Board of Stewards, guides the ministry within the congregation. He has degrees from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, Anderson University, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is married to Jenny and they have four children- Ava, Olivia, Maria, and Samuel.

Teresa McCrary
Teresa McCrary, Administrative Coordinator

Teresa is the coordinator of administrative functions within in the life of the church. She works closely with the Board of Stewards on congregational projects. She earned a B.A. in business administration from Tusculum College. She is married to Jackie.

Steve and Nicky Myers, Locust Springs Directors

Steve and Nicky are the directors of Locust Springs Christian Retreat Center, a 165 acre campground that our congregation owns and operates. As the directors, Steve and Nicky connect with other Christian and community groups that use our facilities and plan events for our own congregation. They have three children, Alyssa, Steven, and Kaylee.

Gerald Rudd, Pastor Emeritus

Gerald provides leadership in the areas of discipleship, evangelism, and assimilation. As our previous senior pastor, he is uniquely capable of providing visionary leadership and organization expertise to our ministries. Before being our senior pastor, Gerald was a senior pastor for 20 years in Pekin, Illinois. He and his wife Ruth are the parents of three children - James, Debbie, and Robert (now deceased).

 

 

Ralph Shipley, Associate of Pastoral Care

Ralph provides pastoral support and spiritual guidance within the congregation. He also leads the Celebrate Recovery ministry. He ordained in the Church of God (and.) and has held senior pastorate positions in Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee. He is a graduate of Gulf Coast Bible College and married to Judy. They have three grown children- Michael, Joel and Lisa and numerous grandchildren.