Steve Abernathy, Senior Minister
Steve’s passion is to preach Jesus and love people. His heart belongs to CCC — from the nursery to their 90s!
FAMILY: He and Barbara have been married for 33 years, and have two sons; Dave, who lives in Centerville, and Scott, who lives in Heaven.
HOMETOWN: Rushville, IN
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: Bachelors of Science in Social Science and Psychology, Ball State University; Bachelor of Arts, MCL in Bible and Preaching, Johnson Bible College; Senior Certification in the International Conference of Police Chaplains; various studies.
CAREER BACKGROUND: High School Psychology Teacher, Sales and Sales Management, Ministry
HOBBIES: People
INTERESTING THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT STEVE:
- He lives in the house where he was born (gas was a buck a gallon when they moved back there!)
- He has spent a lot of time in police cars (as a law enforcement chaplain)
- His sons have seen more of the USA than he has
- He is a two-woman man (his wife Barbara, and his granddaughter Kaytlyn)
Jon Hudnall, Worship Ministries
Jon’s heart is in worship and leadership…he works leading our Worship Ministry and teaching an ABF on Sunday mornings. He’s the staff tech geek as well. He loves seeing people being drawn into the presence of Christ.
Family: Jen, his wife; Drew - 20 (Junior @ Johnson Bible College), Aaron – 18 (Senior @ Centerville High School) and Sam – 15 (Sophomore @ Centerville High School).
Hometown: Poca, WV
Educational Background: Undergrad studies @ Johnson Bible College and West Virginia State University (B.S. Regents/Music Education); Graduate studies @ Kentucky Christian University (M.M. Practical Ministries).
Career Background: Youth Ministry, Preaching Ministry, Worship Ministry
Hobbies: Running, Reading, Racquetball (how’s that for preacherly alliteration?)
Best part about his job: the amazing volunteers who serve in our Worship Ministry!
Interesting things to know about Jon:
- He had hip replacement surgery…at 3 years old
- His High School team name was The Dots. GO DOTS! State champs in almost everything.
- His family is the poster family for cultural diversity!
Rick Alvey, Discipleship Ministries
Rick is the youngest of four boys and was born and raised in South Bend, IN until the age of eight when his family moved to Sturgis, MI. Rick is passionate about helping people connect with God by exploring where they are in their journey and what would be a possible next step in that journey.
Family: Wife: Susan; Children: Eli, Sam, Mykaela, Kyrsten, Joshua and Brynden
Hometown: Sturgis, MI
Educational Background: BRE from Great Lakes Christian College, Lansing, MI; 12 hours of post-graduate study at Cincinnati Christian University
Career Background: Residential Carpenter, Group Home Houseparent, Minister
Hobbies: Reading, playing acoustic guitar, juggling, woodworking, movies, campfires
Best part about his job: When someone makes a new discovery about their relationship with God or grows more in love with Him.
Interesting things to know about Rick:
- He delights in hanging by a thread (thick rope or cable) while maneuvering around ropes course obstacles high in the air or hanging upside down on a zip line.
- He once participated in a covert operation to park a Chevy Chevette inside the lobby of the girls’ dorm in college.
- He grew up the youngest of four boys and is the only one who did not serve as an Altar Boy in the Catholic Church.
Don Withrow
Don is here to lead, develop and maximize the effectiveness of the Staff, ministries and finances of the church. He is a strategic thinker who loves being a part of God’s plan to make God’s vision for us a reality.
Family: Wife: Pam; Daughter: Stephanie
Hometown: Union, Missouri
Educational Background: BA in Ministry from Saint Louis Christian College, M Ed. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Missouri-Columbia
Career Background: Ministry, Health Promotion and Wellness, Mission Director, Church Administration.
Hobbies: Bicycling; playing drums, percussion, guitar & bass; shooting sports.
Best part about his job: Seeing God touch lives in and through the great people in this church family!
Interesting things to know about Don:
- He spent over a year of his life on the road doing Praise & Worship (drums, percussion, vocals) with various Christian groups.
- He was a Strength and Conditioning coach at the University of Missouri in Graduate School and the Weight Trainer at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY (winter 1990).
- He and Pam were house parents for a Sorority while at “Mizzou.”
Brian Richmond, Student Ministries
Brian’s heart and gifts are being used to partner and equip Junior High students, High School students, and parents to develop a relationship with Jesus follow His teachings.
Family: Wife: Julie; Children: Rachel, Rebekah, and Luke
Hometown: Beckley, WV
Educational Background: BA in Bible from Johnson Bible College; BA in Youth Ministry from Johnson Bible College
Career Background: Minister to Teens
Hobbies: Hunting, Fishing, and mowing my yard
Interesting things to know about Brian:
- He lives with a fanatical Indiana Hoosier basketball fan (Julie)
- He shook Michael Jordan’s hand in 1988
- He is one of those guys who are very content to sit in a tree on a crisp November morning with his bow.
Mindy Sams, Children's Ministries
Mindy has a HUGE heart for kids and an abundant love of music. Mindy is often heard saying, “Every moment can be a teachable one.” She loves to teach the incredible truths from God’s Word to children in fun and creative ways. She is an encourager and trainer for the many volunteers that work with children birth – 5th grade. She became our Children’s Director in March of 2008 but has been working with the children of our church for more than 18 years.
Family: Husband: Marcelle; Children: Austin & Randi (She loves all of them a TON)
Hometown: Florissant, MO (though she was born barefoot in Morristown, TN)
Educational Background: 4 years of study in Elementary Education at Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, TN
Career Background: Full time mom, private piano instructor, accompanist for Centerville Choirs, church secretary, traveled with a Christian gospel music team, office manager for Midlife Dimensions, speaker for women’s retreats
Hobbies: Playing the piano, singing, reading, any kind of board or card game
Best part about her job: developing relationships with the children, partnering with parents, and praising God through crazy fun songs in kid’s church
Interesting things to know about Mindy:
- She loves animals (especially her dog, Hero)
- She can make an amazing dinosaur with her double jointed fingers
- She spent 2 years in Southern California where she did work in commercials
- She HATES feet
- She LOVES Olive Garden
- She loves Proverbs 3 (especially verses 5 & 6)
Terry Cochran, Senior's Ministries
Terry is the Senior’s Minister. He is usually found teaching a Bible Study, greeting visitors on a Sunday morning, or helping our Senior Saints with whatever they need.
Terry has been in the ministry for 30 years. He received his bacholar’s degree from Johnson Bible College. He was the Senior Minister at the Christian Church in Laurel.
Terry and his wife Pam, a special education teacher, enjoy summer activities with the Senior Saints. Activities with their beautiful daughter Molly are a very important part of their lives.
Terry’s vision for the future is growth in all areas.
Sally Apple, Administrative Assistant
Sally is the Administrative Assistant here at Centerville Christian Church. What that means is Sally makes everything at the church run smoothly. Sally and her husband Gary work tirelessly around the church making sure the grass is mowed, the building is clean, and the office runs smoothly.
Sally says she has been in ministry since she was a little girl going to Sunday School. Her favorite book is the Bible, because it is an ongoing story.
Sally’s hope for the future is to serve Jesus.