Reverend Taylor Young is a 34 years old pastor of St. Luke Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Madison, Tennessee. He is a first generation Cumberland Presbyterian and graduate of Memphis Theological Seminary. Taylor and his wife are expecting their first child soon and can't wait for that new journey. Music is provided by Pierce Murphy, Caldera Blue…

Reverend Rian Puckett serves as the minister of the Faith Hopewell and New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian churches in the Batesville, Arkansas area. Additionally, he is the boys' basketball coach at Salem High School. Rian met his wife, Michelle, while students at Bethel College and they have two children, Colby and Brooklyn. Rian has a Bachelor of A…

Audrey Adams, a 25 year-old life-long Cumberland Presbyterian and recent Memphis Theological Seminary (MTS) graduate, joins us today to talk about her faith journey. Audrey comes to us having graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin (UTM) in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a minor in Communications. While at UTM, …

Reverend Dennis Croslin writes, "I've been married to Melinda for almost 22 years. We have 8 children. I have been the pastor at Union Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church for 11 years and have been ordained since 2017. I'm a PAS graduate and a licensed funeral director and embalmer, which leads to various ministry opportunities. The church that I p…

Reverend Blake Stephens is a life long Cumberland Presbyterian. He was raised in the First Cumberland Presbyterian church in Winchester, Tennessee. It was a long road to ministry for Blake but after many twists and turns he surrendered to the call. He serves the Owens Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian church in Winchester and just celebrated his 10th …

Larry Blakeburn was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, but grew up in a mobile environment as his father prepared for and participated in full-time ministry. He has lived in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, and Tennessee. He graduated from Greeneville High School, Bethel University, and later earned a Master of Divinity degree at Memphis Theological Seminary. A…

Nick Chambers was born and raised in Camden, Arkansas. He is the grandson of the late Rev. Leo Smith, who pastored for 50 years in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church (CPC). His mother, former Women’s Ministry President, Martha Chambers, father, and father-in-law are ordained elders in the CP Church. His brother and aunt are also CP Ministers. But s…

Rev. Lucas Garcia is a Cumberland Presbyterian minister in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Lucas writes, "I have been happily married for ten years to my beautiful wife Jennifer and we have a three year old son named Santiago. I have served the El Redil Cumberland Presbyterian Church for the past six years as its pastor. It has been a wonderful and fulf…

Benjamin Diaz Villa is an ordained elder and pianist at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Houston, chair of Trinity Presbytery Board of Christian Education, and is currently a PhD aerospace engineering student at the University of Texas at Austin. His research is currently on hypersonic aeroelasticity, and he enjoys composing music in his fre…

Danny Willis is a Cumberland Presbyterian minister in Owensboro, Kentucky. He and his wife Jessica, join me in this faith journey on Cumberland Road. Danny writes, “my story is one of ‘I am lost and now I am found’ and being pulled from certain death, by God’s hand. My church, wife, and children have all been a huge part of my journey; a journey th…

Matthew H. Gore is a British journalist, historian, popular culturist, archivist, and educator residing in Memphis, Tennessee. He is the immediate past-president of the Society of Tennessee Archivists and is best known for his book The History of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Kentucky to 1988 (2000). He has also published on a variety of to…

LeighAnn Morgan is serving as the Congregational Life Director at Winchester Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Tennessee. She was raised in the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination and says she has "loved every second of it". She answered the call into ministry while in high school and graduated from Bethel University in Mckenzie, Tennessee with a …

Carissa Welch lives in Oklahoma. She and her husband have three children, 7, 5, and 2. She is a seminary student and attends Covenant Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Music is provided by Pierce Murphy, Caldera Blue. Source: https://www.freemusicarchive.org/music/Pierce_Murphy/through-the-olive-branches/caldera-blue Comments: http://freemusicarchive…

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Donna Frost is a traveling troubadour with decades of performing and touring experience. Expertly weaving folk, blues and pop, she creates memorable concerts that champion the human spirit. She logs thousands of miles each year, performing across the U.S., solo and with her band. With over 300 songs in he…

Mitzi Minor joined the Memphis Theological Seminary (MTS) faculty in the summer of 1993. From the beginning of her vocation as a teacher/scholar, first as a grad student, through three years of teaching undergrads, and during all her time at MTS, the primary focus of her work has been (and continues to be) the intersection of the New Testament with…

Reverend Justin Richter recently became the Director of Global Missions of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He lives in Albuquerque and served there as a pastor at Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church for over fourteen years. He had a multicultural upbringing with multi-ethnic parents and overseas living due to his father’s military career. He…

Rev. Merlyn Alexander celebrates 71 years of ministry in this faith conversation. Ordained December 30, 1952, Merlyn has served Cumberland Presbyterian congregations in multiple presbyteries and states, as vice moderator of the General Assembly in 1992 and as moderator of the General Assembly in 1996. He lives in Jackson, Tennessee. Thanks to his d…

Rev. Emrie Smith Rogers is currently serving as minister of Tusculum Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee. She grew up in Westborough, Massachusetts with a passion for missions and fluency in the Spanish language. Emrie came to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church by God’s leading through many unforeseen circumstances including her …

Rev. Rocky Johnson has been in the ministry for over 40 years. He has served Cumberland Presbyterian congregations in Greeneville and Morristown Tennessee and soon will start his 10th year as pastor at Liberty Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Clarksville Tennessee. He has been married to his wife Janet for 31 years and they have a 13 year old gran…

The Rev. Dr. Robert S. (Stan) Wood is pastor of the Mt. Tabor Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America in Jackson, Tennessee since 2011. He was Vice President of Academic Affairs/Academic Dean, Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program, Clara Scott Professor of Ministry at Memphis Theological Seminary retiring in 2017. He earned degrees from Beth…

Rev. Kevin Brantley writes, "I was born Dec. 25, 1971, in Ada, OK, the son of Wes Jr. and Susan Brantley. Dana and I were married May 26, 2007, and have 2 children: daughter Kristi (21) and son Wesley (13). I graduated from Ada High School in 1990, Bethel College in 1994 with a B.S. degree in Mathematics with an emphasis in Business and from Memphi…

Earl Goodwin is a Birmingham, Alabama native. He has a background in education as well as his theological endeavors. In his little down time, he enjoys singing and working in live theater. In addition to his responsibilities serving the Stevenson, Alabama church, he is also a full time floral designer as well as Stated Clerk for Robert Donnell Pres…

Gina writes: "Hello, my name is Gina Wood, and I live in Knoxville, Tennessee. I am a third-generation Cumberland Presbyterian. My parents are Reverend Leonard and Mary Jo Turner (C.P. royalty, according to me), and they have been at Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church for 51 years. I have two incredible daughters (Taylor & Anna) and a fantastic s…

Reverend Jill Davis Carr is a Staff Chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. She is a Board of Trustee member of Memphis Theological Seminary and a board member for Missouri Presbytery of both Christian Education and Camp Cumberland. Jill holds an Master of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary and an MBA from Missouri State Univer…

Rev. Joy Warren grew up in South Carolina and was ordained by Nashville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She served nine years as Associate Pastor at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Murfreesboro Presbytery. Now, she works for NFP as a Design and Consulting Specialist, modeling funding of non-qualified plans for bank executi…

Edward H. Adair, a 1985 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Law, is a former Federal Law Clerk and Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Department of the Interior. He is currently a Licentiate under the care of the Presbytery of East Tennessee and works for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a Privacy and Regulatory Spec…

Rev. Daniel Barkley is in his twelfth year as the minister at the Gadsden Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Gadsden, Alabama. He is married to Jamie, his high school sweetheart for 27 years, father of three sons (youngest is a senior in college), two daughter-in-laws, one grandson and a granddaughter who will be making her appearance by the end of …

Rev. Dr. Anne Hames is the Senior Chaplain of Bethel University. Dr. Hames graduated from Bethel in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion. She earned a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctorate of Ministry degree from the Memphis Theological Seminary. Dr. Hames also teaches religion classes on campus. Music is provided by Pierce Murphy, C…

Rev. Ellen Hudson Clark is currently a chaplain resident with Ascension St. Thomas in Nashville, Tennessee, where she lives with her husband and partner in ministry Rev. Dr. Tommy Clark. They have two dogs, Beatrice and Jameson and a cat named Nina. She is a graduate of Bethel University with her Bachelor in Science in Biology and Memphis Theologic…

Heather Hennessee is a life long member of Bates Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Warren County, Tennessee where she serves as worship leader, bulletin creator, Sunday school teacher, and Women’s Group President. Heather writes: I am married to Douglas Hennessee for 6 years and have a beautiful stepdaughter Bella. We complete our family with …

Steve writes: "Reverend Steve Delashmit and Faye Delashmit have five children, twelve grandchildren, three great grandchildren and share a love for music, travel, and the Lord. I was born a Cumberland Presbyterian and have served churches in Kentucky and Tennessee for 44 years. I am currently serving the New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church in L…

Rev. Tyler Lindsey writes, "I was born on August 1st, 1994 to David and Ashley Lindsey. I am a life-long Cumberland Presbyterian and the grandson of Rev. Cordell Smith. I am the oldest of 3 siblings, and I am celebrating 7 years of marriage with my lovely wife, Heather (Hamblin) Lindsey. I spent most of my childhood in Bowling Green, Kentucky and a…

Savannah writes, "My name is Savannah Lamb. I have been a Cumberland Presbyterian my whole life. I am a member of the St. Luke Cumberland Presbyterian church in Nashville, Tennessee. I am in college at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, majoring in Kinesiology to become a Physical Therapist. While at school, I worship with the Beaver Creek Cumb…

Hailing from Rogersville, Alabama, Darren Kennemer attended the University of North Alabama and Bethel University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, minoring in Religion and Philosophy. He also holds a Master of Divinity Degree from Memphis Theological Seminary and was ordained by West Tennessee Presbytery in 2003. He …

Reverend Judy Madden is minister of Pastor of Care at Pathway Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Burleson, Texas. As Pastor of Care, Judy oversees pastoral counseling, funerals/memorials, hospital visits, support groups and is the primary contact for those in crisis or death. Judy has been endorsed by Red River Presbytery for election as Moderator o…

Lynndon (Lynn) Thomas is currently the Director of Global Missions for the Missions Ministry Team of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination. Lynn's introduction to the mission field took place in his teenage years. He later attended Bethel and then Memphis Theological Seminary. After seminary, he married Nona Young Thomas, and they moved to Colom…

Veronica Ent writes; "I reside in the small town of Hardinsburg, Kentucky. I attend church at Garfield Cumberland Presbyterian Church were I am active in Cumberland Presbyterian Women's Convention (CPWM) and serve as Children’s Church teacher. I have served as CPWM President on both the local and regional level, and presently serves as Convention P…

Rev. Daniel Ignacio Headley was born in Mexico but raised in the United States of America. Daniel is a mechanical engineer and a Cumberland Presbyterian minister. God is showing him how to live pastorally in the workplace. Music is provided by Pierce Murphy, Caldera Blue. Source: https://www.freemusicarchive.org/music/Pierce_Murphy/through-the-oliv…

Rev. Daniel Ignacio Headley was born in Mexico but raised in the United States of America. Daniel is a mechanical engineer and a Cumberland Presbyterian minister. God is showing him how to live pastorally in the workplace. Music is provided by Pierce Murphy, Caldera Blue. Source: https://www.freemusicarchive.org/music/Pierce_Murphy/through-the-oliv…

Rev. Lisa Oliver is the pastor of Mt. Tabor Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee in Murfreesboro Presbytery. Lisa serves as Vice President of the Historical Foundation Board of Trustees, Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Cumberland Presbyterian Women's Ministry, on the Still Waters Family Ministry Board in Murfreesbor…

Rev. James Byrd is a Cumberland Presbyterian minister and serves the New Providence Presbyterian Church in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. He is a graduate of Bethel College (University) and Memphis Theological Seminary. He has served congregations in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky. James writes: "I have been in the ministry for 53 years. Mall call to…

Debbie Shanks writes: "I have been married for over 50 years to Roy: we have three children by birth, three children by marriage, and twelve grandchildren. Roy is from Casey Illinois and I am from Louisville Kentucky. We met and married in Louisville and spent the next eighteen months in southern Italy (Air Force), spent one year in Indiana, and th…

Jodi Rush writes: I grew up in the McKenzie Cumberland Presbyterian Church but began life attending a Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Illinois from the time I was born until we moved to McKenzie, Tennessee when I was five. I was very active in leadership at the McKenzie Church serving as a Sunday school teacher, VBS director, and as an o…

John Pyon is a part of the "GJH Ministry" new church development located in Duluth, Georgia and is currently working at the Air Force ROTC department at University of Georgia as an Instructor and serves in the United States Air Force as a Captain. He is also attending Memphis Theological Seminary to pursue a Master's Degree in Divinity and praying …

Dusty Taylor writes: My name is Dustin, my family and camp friends call me Dusty. I am a have Associate in Applied Science in Land Surveying and that is what I do for a living. I grew up in the Walnut Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church in the middle of nowhere Arkansas. My mother’s brother was our preacher, and my dad’s family has been attending …

Rev. Dr. Peggy Jean “PJ” Craig serves as Senior Pastor at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Germantown (CPCG) in Germantown, Tennessee. Before coming to CPCG, Peggy Jean was the Assistant Director for K12 Partnerships at Rutgers University-Camden, New Jersey. She oversaw the university’s civic engagement strategic priority, while also leading R…

Rev. Dr. Courtney Krueger is fortunate in that he grew up in a family that helped him experience Jesus’ love in many and various ways. He was born in South Carolina to a Roman Catholic father and a Baptist mother. He was raised in the Baptist church and went to a Baptist college (Furman University). He then went to a Methodist seminary for his mast…

Rev. Dr. Ron McMillan states: "I was raised on a farm in west-central Missouri and graduated from Centerview Elementary School in 1960 and the former College High School of Warrensburg, Missouri, in 1965. After high school, I graduated with a B.S. in History from Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee. Also, I have a Masters of Arts from the Pres…

Reverend Emily Trapp Young is a pastor in the Cumberland Presbyterian Denomination. She serves at Allsboro Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Cherokee, Alabama with her husband of four years, Ryan Young. Emily also works for Room in the Inn-Shoals which is a non-profit that provides emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness. She has a p…

Sherry Poteet is a retired and working music educator having spent 29 years as middle school band director in Texas. After retirement, she continues to serve area schools as a mentor, consultant, and band adjudicator as well as supervising student teachers for Stephen F. Austin State University. She is an Elder at Elmira Chapel Cumberland Presbyter…