Friendship Staff

Steve oversees daily church operations and assists in pastoral duties at both the Lucas Ferry campus and North campus.

Steve was raised on a dairy farm in Boonshill, TN. He met Jesus at age seven, and by 16 he knew God had a call on his life. He served as a youth pastor and music director, was ordained at age 29, and started a church while in the US military.

Steve has an AA in Theology from ECBC, a BA in Religious Studies and Psychology from Athens State, did graduate work at Asbury Seminary, and is a member of the Executive Pastor's Network. Steve and Janet have seven children and five grandchildren. He likes to root for Tennessee, golf, fish, and read.

Celia provides leadership in missions, benevolence and prayer both inside and outside of Friendship.

Celia has been a true believer since 1996. In 2002 she joined the staff of Friendship as administrative assistant and has developed in the areas of pastoral guidance, leadership in community and church care ministry, and missions. She was commissioned as Connections Pastor in 2010 and leads the development and implementation of missions strategies.

Celia and her husband, Michael, have three children and have called Athens their home for almost 20 years. Her passions are sharing with others the Reason for her joy and being the mom of a US Army Soldier, a Troy University Student and an Athens High School Student!

Jody leads RESONATE 212, Friendship's ministry to 6th - 12th grade students and their parents.

Jody became a Christ follower at age 20 and immediately began serving in youth ministry. He has been on staff at Friendship since 2001. He longs to see students wholly involved in the life of the church through weekly worship (Love God), weekly small groups with peers (Love Others), and by serving inside and outside the church (Serve).

Jody grew up in Ardmore AL/TN and holds a B.A. in Religion/Philosophy from Athens State University. He and his wife, Sheri, have been married since 1991, and live in Athens with their son Joseph and daughter Hannah. Their oldest daughter, Marissa attends Lee University.

Sheri Hooven
Director of Children's Ministry

Sheri trains leaders to disciple others and supports the small group network at Friendship.

She has served at Friendship for eleven years in a variety of roles, previously teaching English in the Huntsville area and leading a K-12 Christian school. She holds a B.S. in Secondary Education/English from Jacksonville State University.

Sheri and her husband, Jody, have been married for twenty years and enjoy being parents to three amazing children.

Lori oversees the ministry to children and their families from first to fifth grade.

She has served in Bible clubs, Sunday school and other areas of children's ministry for 10 years. Lori also has served as a VBS director for nine years. She wants to come alongside parents to help their children learn God loves them and Jesus wants to be their friend forever.

Lori holds a B.A. in marketing and finance. She enjoys reading, painting and writing. She and her husband, Buck, live in Athens, AL, with their daughters, Calli and Abigail.

Nikki implements the Orange strategy of family ministry in Friendship’s nursery (children under 3). She also coordinates communication with the church family and manages the church office.

She has worked with families and children for 7 years as a middle school and preschool teacher, and is founder of the Parents as Teachers program in Limestone County. She partners with parents to help their children discover God’s love.

Nikki holds a B.A. in English and an M.Ed. in secondary education from the University of Montevallo. She is a certified English teacher and parent educator. She lives in Athens with her husband, Jonathan, and three children. She enjoys yoga, running, and reading- especially to her kids!

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