Our Leadership
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Dave Russell, MDiv
PRESIDENT
Dave serves as the lead pastor for Oakhurst Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC. Dave earned his BA from UNC Charlotte and his Masters of Divinity at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he is presently pursuing his doctorate. Dave’s past speaking arrangements include the Together For The Gospel Conference and the Desiring God Conference for Pastors. Dave and his wife, Carrie, have four children.
Michael White, PhD
ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
Michael serves as the lead pastor for Freedom Church in Lincolnton, NC. He holds a BS in Biology from the University of South Carolina, an MDiv and ThM from SEBTS, and a PhD (Systematic Theology) from Wheaton College. Michael has taught adjunctively at Charleston Southern University and North Greenville University and serves on the board for Gospel Systems. He has published articles with the Journal of Theological Interpretation, Westminster Theological Seminary Journal, and Trinity Journal.
Eric Mullis, PhD
NETWORK DIRECTOR
Eric holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the UNC at Charlotte, a master of divinity from SWBTS, a master’s degree in intercultural studies from SEBTS, and a PhD in applied theology (missiology) from SEBTS. Eric served for 14 years overseas with the IMB in Thailand. His roles included team leader/strategy for the southern Thailand region as well as team leader for the Bangkok City Team under the Global Cities initiative. He also served on the board of the Thailand Baptist Theological Seminary. Eric currently serves in a strategy/ catalyst role for NC Baptist. Prior to vocational ministry, Eric lived in Charlotte, where he worked in real estate. He and his wife, Tricia, have three children. In his free time, Eric enjoys reading, spending time with family, traveling, watching Carolina Panthers and hiking in the North Carolina mountains.
Jenn Heckman
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Jenn holds BEd from St. Thomas University, and a MBA from the University of Fredericton. She has over a decade of work experience both in a franchised educational industry and in ministry organizations. She is a member of Pineland Baptist Church, where she is actively involved in women’s ministry.
John Morrison, PhD
EDITORIAL LEAD
John is planting and pastoring Christ the King Church in Hickory, NC. He earned a BA in English Literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his MDiv and PhD
from Southern Seminary. Prior to planting Christ the King, John served as the Pastor of Theological Training at Lakewood Baptist Church in Gainesville, GA where he also oversaw Lakewood’s COR3:6 Church Planting Network. He has presented papers to the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Missiological Society and has written extensively for the local church.
Teaching Fellows CLT
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Steve Benson, DEdMin, MDiv, MAC, LCMHC-S, LCAS
Steve started Grace Roads Counseling Center in 2012 to journey with others on the road toward healing, hope, and grace. He earned a BA in Bible from Covenant College, an MDiv from RTS, a MAC from Covenant Seminary, and the DEdMin from Southern Seminary. He is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor and a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS) in North Carolina. Steve has taught adjunctively at Charlotte Christian College and Seminary and Erskine Theological Seminary, and previously served as a missionary in Honduras with Mission to the World. He is the author of Embracing Love: Living on the Other Side of Disconnected Relationships.
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Scott Hand, DMin
Dr. Hand is a Gastonia native who served with the IMB in East Asia for ten years before returning home to serve as Local Disciple-Making Pastor at Parkwood Baptist Church—the same church where he came to faith as a teenager. He holds degrees from Appalachian State University and Southeastern Seminary, and his passions are disciple-making and evangelism. Dr. Hand lives and breathes the material in this course. Beyond that, he and his wife Christine have four children, and he loves all sports (except for soccer!).
Dave Kiehn, PhD
Dave serves as the lead pastor for Park Baptist Church in Rock Hill, SC. He holds a BA in Intellectual History from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MDiv and PhD (North American Missiology) from SEBTS. Dave is the author of over ten books and serves as the Regional Coordinator for the Pillar Network.
Trevor King, EdD
Trevor serves as the Discipleship Pastor for Old Town Church in Rock Hill, SC. He holds a BS in Christian Studies from Mid-America Christian University (OK) and an MA and EdD in Christian Education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Trevor is happily married to Ashley, and they are blessed with two daughters, Elliott and Piper. Trevor enjoys reading, spending quality time with his family, cooking, traveling, and discovering new ways to enhance his productivity.
Blake Maxwell, DEdMin
Dr. Maxwell serves as a Discipleship Pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC, where he has served for the last five years. He earned a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Liberty University, an M.A in Religion from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, as well as a DEdMin from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Maxwell is married to Holly, whom he met in high school. Together they have six children: Piper, Salem, Jude, Ruby, Hazel, and Beau.
James Sharp, MA
Originally from Dallas, James has pastored churches in Texas, Nebraska, and North Carolina for more than twenty years. Currently he serves as the pastor of teaching and vision of Life Church in Salisbury, NC. James holds a BA in Music from West Texas A&M University, as well as an MA in Biblical Exegesis from Wheaton College. Prior to his tenure in North Carolina, James served on the leadership team for The Gospel Coalition in Nebraska. James and his wife Kristen have three sons and one daughter. He enjoys history, reading, and running (though not very fast). He also maintains an unhealthy obsession with the Boston Red Sox.
Kyler Smith, PhD
Dr. Smith is an Oklahoma native who has previously served churches in his home state and in Arkansas. For the past ten years he has served as Hickory Grove Baptist Church, where he is the Senior Associate Pastor. With degrees from John Brown University, Southern Seminary, and Midwestern Seminary, Dr. Smith’s passion is preaching and teaching God’s Word. Beyond that, he and his wife Lauren—whom he met his first day at Hickory Grove!
Jordon Willard, DMin
Jordon has pastored churches in Virginia and North Carolina since 2010, and currently serves as the senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Weddington, NC. He holds a BA in Christian Studies from the College at Southeastern, and an MDiv and DMin from SEBTS. Jordon serves on the Board of Directors for the Baptist State Convention of NC and he is the president of the 2023 NC Pastors’ Conference. Jordon has been involved with The Pastors’ Network of North Carolina and the Tarheel Leadership Network, and he has passion for revitalizing and strengthening churches.
Teaching Fellows NYC
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Caleb Bunch, MDiv
Caleb Bunch is the pastor of Levittown Baptist Church. Although he was born and raised in Kansas, he considers Long Island ‘home.’ He is married to Ashley and has six delightful children. Caleb is most passionate about preaching and teaching the Word of God to people of every age group. He has earned an M.A. in Education, an M.A. in Business Administration from West Coast Bible College and Seminary, and an M.Div. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Trevor King, EdD
Trevor serves as the Discipleship Pastor for Old Town Church in Rock Hill, SC. He holds a BS in Christian Studies from Mid-America Christian University (OK) and an MA and EdD in Christian Education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Trevor is happily married to Ashley, and they are blessed with two daughters, Elliott and Piper. Trevor enjoys reading, spending quality time with his family, cooking, traveling, and discovering new ways to enhance his productivity.
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Matthew Shores, MDiv
Pastor Matthew Shores has served at Woodside Community Church since May of 2013. He is originally from North Carolina where he majored in Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina and earned his Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Previously, Matthew was working as an associate pastor of North Shore Baptist Church in Bayside, Queens. Matthew and his wife Melissa have four daughters. Matthew loves reading and studying the Bible, theology, and history. In his free time, Matthew loves to play and watch anything sports related, especially UNC basketball.
Michael White, PhD
ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
Michael serves as the lead pastor for Freedom Church in Lincolnton, NC. He holds a BS in Biology from the University of South Carolina, an MDiv and ThM from SEBTS, and a PhD (Systematic Theology) from Wheaton College. Michael has taught adjunctively at Charleston Southern University and North Greenville University and serves on the board for Gospel Systems. He has published articles with the Journal of Theological Interpretation, Westminster Theological Seminary Journal, and Trinity Journal.