Our Team

Read Bio

Steve Heron

Lead Pastor

Steve Heron

Lead Pastor

Steve has served as our Lead Pastor since 2017. He is a graduate of Penn State University (BS) and Dallas Theological Seminary (MA). He is married to Suzanne and they have six children. When he’s not parenting the aforementioned six children, Steve enjoys working out, watching his son play baseball, and chasing his kids at the beach.
Read Bio

AJ Rankin

Executive Pastor

AJ Rankin

Executive Pastor

AJ leads our staff team and oversees the implementation of our church’s mission and vision. He is a graduate of Charleston Southern University (BA) and Liberty University (MA, MDiv). He is married to Allison and they have three daughters. AJ loves competition of all sorts from sports to board games to Nerf wars with his daughters. 

Read Bio

Steve Lindenmeyer

Shepherding Pastor

Steve Lindenmeyer

Shepherding Pastor

Steve oversees local missions, global missions, and care. He is a graduate of Valdosta State University (BA) and is currently working toward an MA from Southeastern Seminary. He is married to Marie and they have two adult sons. Steve loves traveling with his wife and he enjoys playing ‘backyard’ games like cornhole, bocce ball, or ladder golf.

Read Bio

Jon Merkling

Associate Pastor - Administration & Children's Ministry

Jon Merkling

Associate Pastor - Administration & Children's Ministry

Jon leads our Kids Ministry Team (Birth-5th Grade) and oversees our church’s administrative operations. He is a graduate of Western Kentucky University (BA) and Southeastern Seminary (MA). He is married to Meredyth and has three awesome kids. He loves coffee, spending time with his family, and making pizza.

Read Bio

Jared Johnson

Associate Pastor - Worship

Jared Johnson

Associate Pastor - Worship

Jared leads our Worship Team and oversees our connection process. He is a graduate of East Central University (BA) and Southeastern Seminary (MDiv). He is married to Reagan and they have three boys. Jared loves coffee in the morning with Reagan, playing golf with his boys, and following all things Oklahoma City Thunder.

Read Bio

Brandon Hammond

Groups Director

Brandon Hammond

Groups Director

Brandon serves our groups ministry and local missions effort in partnership with his role as a staff member of Cru City. He is a graduate of the College of Charleston (BA). He is married to Ansley and they have two children. He and his wife grew up on dirt roads and have lived in the middle of Brooklyn and love both environments.  He likes coaching his kids’ teams, audiobooks and enjoys watching sports with friends.

Read Bio

Addison Hamrick

Student Ministry Director

Addison Hamrick

Student Ministry Director

Addison leads our Student Ministry Team (6th-12th grade). He is a graduate of Anderson University (BS) and Southeastern Seminary (MDiv). He is married to Camille and they have twin boys. He enjoys smoking meat, spending time with his family, learning new skills, and watching college football and the NBA.

Read Bio

Kenny Gibson

Media Director

Kenny Gibson

Media Director

Kenny serves part-time overseeing our church’s communication and leading our Production Team. He is a graduate of Liberty University (BS). He is married to Becca and they have two children. He enjoys movies and music and likes learning about new things in the tech world.

Read Bio

Danielle Dietrich

Director of Hospitality

Danielle Dietrich

Director of Hospitality

Danielle leads our Welcome Team and oversees the church’s hospitality. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina (BS) and is currently working toward an MA from Southeastern Seminary. She loves coffee, going to the beach, and enjoying all of Charleston’s food scene!

Read Bio

Jonathan Suggs

College & Young Adult Ministry Director, Pastoral Resident

Jonathan Suggs

College & Young Adult Ministry Director, Pastoral Resident

Jonathan is in our residency program and leads our Young Adult and College Ministry Team. He is a graduate of Anderson University (BS) and currently working toward an MDiv from Southeastern Seminary. He is married to Hannah and they have one child on the way! Jonathan enjoys playing and watching most sports (especially basketball and football), reading books, and hanging out with his wife and golden retriever!

Read Bio

Kassidy Buttram

College & Young Adult Ministry Resident

Kassidy Buttram

College & Young Adult Ministry Resident

Kassidy is in our residency program and helps with our Young Adult and College Ministry Team. She is a graduate of North Greenville University and is currently working toward an MA from Southeastern Seminary. She is married to Timothy and they have one son. Kassidy loves spending time with family, singing, writing, and celebrating all the holidays.

Read Bio

Ben Miller

Men's Ministry Coordinator - Pastoral Resident

Ben Miller

Men's Ministry Coordinator - Pastoral Resident

Ben is in our Pastoral Residency program, helps with the Young Adult and College Ministry Team, and coordinates our Men’s Ministry. He is a graduate of Clemson University (BS, MS) and is currently working toward an MDiv from Southeastern Seminary. He is married to Lisie Miller from Dallas, TX. Ben enjoys playing golf, anything Clemson-related, duck hunting, and gathering with friends and family.

Read Bio

Dean Waters

Financial Administrator

Dean Waters

Financial Administrator

Dean serves part-time as our Financial Administrator. He is married to Ladora and they have two adult sons.

Read Bio

Jessica Early

Kids Ministry Team Coordinator

Jessica Early

Kids Ministry Team Coordinator

Jessica serves part-time helping coordinate the Kids Ministry Team. She is a graduate of Clemson University (BS) and Bank Street College of Education (MS). If it’s a nice day, you can find Jessica on the beach with a good book.

Read Bio

Sam Perry

Pastoral Resident

Sam Perry

Pastoral Resident

Sam is in our Pastoral Residency program and helps lead our Student Ministry Team. He is working toward an MDiv from Shepherds Theological Seminary. He is married to Katherine and enjoys playing golf, bow hunting deer, and duck hunting.

ELDER TEAM

AJ, Steve H, Martin, Steve L, Dean O.

Pictured left to right: AJ Rankin, Steve Heron, Martin Kirby, Steve Lindenmeyer, and Dean O' Bryan