Church Leadership

rit@elizabethchurch.org

Rit has served EBC since February 2005.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Citadel, a Master of Divinity degree from Campbell University, a Master of Theology degree from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Princeton Theological Seminary.   Prior to entering the ministry, Rit served as an officer in the 82nd Airborne Division from 1992-1996.  He is married to Shannon Varriale, who teaches at Crest Middle School.  Rit's passion is communicating God's Word.

• Favorite Bible Verse - Psalm 121
• Favorite Hobbies - Motorcycling (viva Ducati); walking in the woods; hunting

brooks@elizabethchurch.org 

Brooks is a seasoned worship pastor with 27 years of experience, passionate about helping people encounter God through authentic worship. A gifted vocalist and guitarist, he blends his musical talents with a heart for ministry, guiding congregations into deeper connections with God.
Brooks holds a Bachelor of Music Education, a Master of Divinity, and a Doctor of Worship Studies, combining theological depth with practical insight. He has served in various church settings, cultivating worship teams and creating environments where God's presence is felt.
He is also dedicated to mentoring the next generation of worship leaders, encouraging them to lead with integrity and excellence. Brooks enjoys leading worship with his wife, Christie, and loves spending time with his family.

• Favorite Bible Verse - Micah 8:6 – “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
• Hobbies - Fishing; classic cars

derek@elizabethchurch.org

Derek has been at EBC since July 2022.   He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Appalachian State University in Finance, and a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.   Derek has been in student ministry since 2005 and served as an Army Reserve Chaplain for 8 years.  He is married to Kelly Allen Kiser, who teaches at Fallston Elementary School, and they have two boys. Jackson and Eli.  Kelly grew up at EBC and is a Shelby native. Derek is passionate about students owning their faith and helping them become the leaders God wants them to be.   Students are not the future church they are the church now, and need to serve now.

• Favorite Bible Verse  -  2 Corinthians 5:21  "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God."
• Favorite Hobbies  -  "Anything with a view.  I love the lake and big wide-open views of farmland.  Kelly and I enjoy eating outside with a water view when on vacation."

Justin has been on staff at EBC since August of 2024. Justin is a native of Cleveland County and earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts degree from the Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy at Gardner-Webb University. Prior to coming to EBC, Justin has served as a full time Guest Lecturer and Adjunct Instructor at GWU teaching Intro to Old Testament, Intro to New Testament and New Testament Theology. Justin is married to Stephanie, and they have two sons, Luke and James. Justin is passionate about teaching the Bible and seeing people grow in their understanding of the Gospel and God’s Word.

• Favorite Bible Verse – Mark 10:45 “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.”
• Favorite Hobbies – Turkey hunting; camping; seeing historic places and walking battle fields.

jim@elizabethchurch.org

Rev. Jim has been faithfully serving at EBC since March 2020. Ordained in 1964, he has pastored churches in Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina. Prior to his ministry, he served served three years as a Personnel Specialist in the U.S. Army and two years as a trooper with the North Carolina Highway Patrol. He later spent 13 years serving as Chaplain for the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office. He has been pastoring churches in Cleveland County, North Carolina, since 1988. Jim is a graduate of Carson-Newman University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married to Annie Ruth McSwain Brackett, and together they have four children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandson. Rev. Jim is passionate about encouraging and supporting the work of EBC’s staff, as well as caring for the church’s seniors. Always with a smile and an encouraging word, he brings warmth and positivity to everyone he meets.

• Favorite Bible Verse - Isaiah 41:10  "Don't be afraid, for I am with you.  Don't be discouraged, for I am your God."
• Favorite Hobbies - Studying the Bible.

krista@elizabethchurch.org 

Krista began serving as EBC's Minister to Children on June 1, 2024. She graduated from Ames Christian University with a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership and furthered her education at Barclay College with a degree in Psychology and Family Studies. She is currently pursuing her Master of Theology in Family Ministry at Barclay School of Graduate Studies. Krista felt called to serve in ministry from a young age and began seeking clarification of the Lord's calling throughout her high school and college years, which led her toward Children and Family Ministry. Krista is passionate about impacting the family unit as a whole to advance the Kingdom of God.

• Favorite Bible Verse - Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will hold you with my righteous strong hand.” 
• Favorite Hobbies - Crocheting; reading; spending time outdoors; painting; spending time with friends and family.

kim@elizabethchurch.org

Kim has served EBC since July 2011.  She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Liberty University.  She is married to Jeff McEntyre and they have one son, Justin.

• Favorite Bible Verse - Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
• Favorite Hobbies - Reading; long walks; great movies.

dawn@elizabethchurch.org

Dawn has served EBC since 2022. She has been a native of Cleveland County her entire life and has worked in finance for over 28 years. Dawn is married to Phillip, they have 7 children, and 8 grandchildren.

• Favorite Bible Verse – Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
• Hobbies – Cooking; baking; spending time with family; relaxing by the pool or on the lake.

missy@elizabethchurch.org

Missy has been at EBC since July of 2024.  She is married to Tripp and they have a combined family of 2 children and 1 foster child. Missy and Tripp are the ministry leaders at River Hill Refuge in Shelby, which is part of Baptist Children's Homes of NC.

• Favorite Bible Verse - Psalm 91:1-2 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust."
• Favorite Hobbies - Scrapbooking; cooking; spending time with family.

aaron@elizabethchurch.org

Aaron has served EBC since March 2021.  Outside of his work at the church, he is a musician, audio engineer, music producer, and teacher, and is the owner and operator of The Sound Factory Studios in Lincolnton, NC.  He is married to Michelle, a nurse, and they live in Lattimore with their four dogs.

• Favorite Bible Verse - Psalm 143:10-11 "Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good.  Lead me in the land of uprightness.  Revive me, O Lord, for Your name's sake! For Your righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble."
• Favorite Hobbies - Grilling/smoking, the Atlanta Braves, photography, flight simulators.