Our Staff

Meet Our Staff
Dr. James D. Cartin Pastor Skip joined the staff as Minister of Education in 1987 and accepted the call to be our pastor in 1993. Originally from Columbia, South Carolina, Skip earned his bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina. Skip received his Master of Divinity at Western Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Skip served on the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ in Canada and the U.S. before serving in churches in Oregon, Chicago and South Carolina. Skip, born August 14, 1950, and his wife Caroline were married in 1977 and have three children: Walt (1980); Susie (1983); and Rion (1985).
Philip McGaha Minister of Administration Philip joined Western Avenue in September 1990 as Minister of Youth and became the church’s Minister of Administration in January 1999. Philip is responsible for the church’s buildings and property, financial accounting and day-to-day business. Originally from Hickory, Philip received his undergrad education at Gardner-Webb University. Philip received his Master of Arts in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1989 and served as Minister of Youth in Texas and South Carolina before coming to Statesville. Philip, born June 30, 1964, and his wife Teresa were married in 1986 and have two children: Charlie (1995) and Ashlyn (1998).
Dr. Jeff Spry Minister of Education Jeff joined us in May 2001 as our Minister of Education. Jeff is responsible for our Sunday School, Equipping University, and all other educational programs of the church. Originally from Alexander County, Jeff received his bachelor's degree at North Carolina State University. He received his Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1994. He earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in May 2007. Jeff served as Minister of Youth in Raleigh, NC, and Associate Pastor in Kingsport, TN, before coming to Statesville. Jeff, born November 28, 1966, and his wife Ambra were married on June 23, 1990, and have four children: Emma (1994); A.J. (1996); Abby (1998); and Joey (2001).
Rodney Harrison Minister of Music Rodney joined our staff in March 2003. He is responsible for the entire music program of the church and for leading the church in worship. Rodney is currently working towards his Bachelor of Arts in Music Music at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. Rodney, formerly a local businessman, was in the gospel group, Day Three, which toured the eastern U.S. for several years. Rodney and his wife, Linda, members at Western Avenue since 1989, were married in 1988 and have one daughter, Ashlee (1996).
Brian Burgess Minister of Outreach Brian joined the staff as Minister of Youth in January 1999 and became our Minister of Outreach in January 2008. Born February 19, 1976 in Greenville, SC, Brian received his Bachelor’s degree from Gardner-Webb University in 1998 and earned his Master of Divinity degree at Gardner-Webb Divinity School in May 2004. Brian is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry track at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Before coming to Western Avenue, Brian served as an itinerant evangelist and traveled all over North America. Brian married Angie Navey on August 2, 2003 and the couple had their first child, Brixan, in 2005 and their second child, Xavier, in 2006.
Mark Collins Minister of Youth Mark joined the staff as Minister of Middle School in January 2005 and became our Minster of Youth in January 2008. He is responsible for all ministries and programs for families with children from ninth grade through twelfth grade. Born July 6, 1982 in Statesville, NC, Mark received his Bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University in 2004 and is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Mark married Melissa Gilleland on September 1, 2007.
Greg Mathews Minister of Middle School Greg joined the staff as Minister of Middle School in June 2008. He is responsible for all ministries and programs for families with children from sixth grade through eighth grade. Born October 2, 1979 in Greenwood, SC, Greg received his Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2002. He earned his Master of Divinity with a concentration in Youth Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in May 2005.
Carrie Allen Director of Preschool and Children Carrie joined the church staff in November 2000 and is responsible for all ministries and programs involving children from birth to sixth grade. Carrie is a native of Chesapeake, Virginia and grew up on Navy bases around the world. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development from East Carolina University in 1996. Carrie, born August 16, 1972, and her husband Russell were married in 1998. They have one daughter, Emma Rae, born October 7, 2002 and one son, Elijah, born August 13, 2005.
Ellen Fox Director of Marriage and Family Enrichment Ellen joined our staff in January 2005 and is the Director of the Marriage and Family Enrichment Center. Her responsibilities include teaching weekly Equipping University classes and providing individual, marital, and group psychotherapy. Ellen received her graduate degree from Wake Forest University in 1995, focusing on Community Mental Health and Family Studies, and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Sex Therapist with the American Board of Christian Sex Therapists. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northcentral University. Ellen and her husband, Clark, were married in 1975 and have two children, Mary Clare (1978) and Stephen (1981).
Dr. Ed Yarbrough Pastor's Assistant Ed joined the church staff February 2001 and assists the pastor by ministering to the sick, elderly and shut-in in our church. Ed is a retired pastor who served churches in North Carolina for 40 years. Ed received his Master of Theology degree from Covington Theological Seminary in 1982, followed by his doctorate in 1985. Ed and his wife Shirley were married in 1952 and have four children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Kara Clouse Assistant Director of Marriage and Family Enrichment Kara joined our staff in July 2007 and is a Licensed Professional Counselor with the Marriage and Family Enrichment Center. Her responsibilities include providing individual, marital and family psychotherapy. Kara is a native of Statesville, NC. Kara received her graduate degree from Gardner-Webb University in 2006 focusing on Mental Health Counseling, and continues to pursue studies in marriage and family therapy. Kara and her husband, Chris, were married in 1999 and have two children, Ashlyn (2003) and Arden (2007).

Joy Chapman Church Secretary Joy Chapman serves as our Church Secretary and has been with us since September 2002. She lives in Statesville with her husband Donnie.	Lori Hawkins Financial Secretary Lori Hawkins serves as our Financial Secretary and has been with us since February 2007. She lives in Statesville with her husband Mike and her children, Holly and Hunter.

Linda Harrington Music Secretary Linda Harrington serves as our Music Ministry Secretary and has been with us since February 2001. She lives in Statesville with her husband Maurice.	Amanda Brown Ministry Secretary Amanda Brown serves as our Ministry Secretary and has been with us since February 2008. Amanda earned her B.S. in Psychology from Gardner-Webb University in 2006. She is currently pursuing her M.A. in Christian Counseling at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte. She lives in Troutman with her family.

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