Keith Gilliam has served as the  Lead Pastor of Living Hope Church since 1985. Born in Marion, NC, Keith attended Emmanuel University in Franklin Springs, GA and returned to the mountains of North Carolina to pastor his first and only church. He and his wife, Lana, have two children, Jennifer (and husband, Bradley Decker) and John (and wife, Sidney Gilliam), and a grandson, Briggs Decker.  

David Crisp serves as the Executive Pastor and has been on staff at Living Hope Church since 2000. David oversees day-to-day operations at the church, including oversight of the Living Hope staff. David also leads our Senior Adult Ministries and is a tremendous asset in pastoral care. David is married to Dawn and has two children. Jessica (and husband Hayden), Ben (and wife Tiffany) and four grandchildren, Gabe, Natalie, David and Rhema.

Gray Williams serves as the Pastor of Outreach and Evangelism and has been on staff at Living Hope since 2001. A graduate of Lee University, US marine and Retired NC State Trooper, Gray’s ministry includes the development and oversight of global mission teams, outreach ministries and recruiting and training believers for ministry. Gray is married to Kim and has two children, Amanda (and husband Jonathan) and Bradley (and wife Rachel), and 3 grandchildren.

Jonathan Bryan serves as the Pastor of Children’s Ministries and has been on staff since January 2017. Born in the upstate of South Carolina, and then hailing later from Northeast Georgia, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Christian Ministries from Emmanuel University, as well as a Master of Divinity from Regent University. Jonathan married Jessica, his high-school sweetheart, in July 2017 and they have a golden retriever named Kobe.

Anthony Adams serves as the Pastor of Student Ministries and has been on staff at Living Hope since August 2024. A native of New York, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. Anthony is a gifted leader, with a passion for guiding students in their spiritual journey and helping them uncover their God-given purpose.

Matt Bartlett, a native of North Carolina, joined the staff of Living Hope as the Pastor of Worship in March of 2016. Matt has an Associate of Arts degree in music and is a licensed minister with the IPHC. With a wealth of experience in leading worship, writing music, and  preaching and teaching, his passion and heart is to lead people to Jesus. Matt is married to Leigh Ann and they have 3 sons, Landon,  Ashton  and  Cruz.

Sergio Castro is originally from Colombia, South America.   After a decade of ministry overseas, he joined the LHC pastoral staff in 2022 . He serves as both Communications Director and Pastor of Hispanic Ministries. Sergio holds a degree in Christian Ministries from Emmanuel University and an MBA from Oral Roberts University.   Sergio is married to  Kristi and together they have three beautiful children, Isabella, Gabriella, and Joel.

Kristen Sanders serves as the pastor of  Small Groups and has been a member of Living Hope Church since 2013. Kristen is an ordained minister in the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. She completed an undergraduate degree from Emmanuel University in Early Childhood Education, a Master of Ministry degree in Church Leadership from Southwestern Christian University and a Master of Divinity degree in Church and Ministry from Regent University. She and her husband, Jeremy, have four children who are home educated and impacting their community. Her greatest joys are participating in the discipleship journey of others, preparing people for ministry, and supporting new leaders.

Mike Gallas was welcomed to Living Hope in January 2023 and serves as the Media Director. Mike is from Peoria, Illinois and has spent 16 years in broadcast television and 5 years at Bradley University in the Audio/Visual department. He has a passion for technology and using it to further the message of the church. Mike is married to Melinda and they have 2 sons, Luke and Josiah.

Angie Philyaw is the Office Manager at Living Hope Church. She brings a wealth of experience in the area of accounting  and business operations. She was born and raised in Caldwell County and  has attended Living Hope Church since birth.  Angie’s family has deep roots at Living Hope Church that date as far back as the 1950’s when the church began as a small gathering in a tent. She has a daughter named Autumn (and husband Jake).

Mandy Jones, a native of Myrtle Beach, SC,  has served faithfully in ministry at LHC alongside her husband, Stephen,  since 2007 . Mandy joined the LHC team to create graphics, manage our social media presence,  and recently took on the responsibilities of office assistant. She and Stephen  have  one son, Nate.

Clyde Sumner has served Living Hope Church since 2006, but has attended our church since 1999. He has extensive experience in sales and service in the paint  industry and furniture division. Clyde manages and maintains the buildings and property at LHC. He is married to Selina, and they have two children, CJ and Joe and three grandchildren.

Steve King joined the LHC staff in 2022 as a Maintenance Technician. He has vast experience as a general contractor and was the Maintenance Manager at Broughton Hospital for many years.  We are blessed to have Steve as part of our team and our church. He is married to Lisa and they has one son, Matthew (and wife Makayla), and two grandchildren, Brody and Wesley.