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

eddie@elizabethchurch.org

Eddie started with EBC on May 1, 2018.  Prior to coming to Shelby, he served churches in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky.  He also served 8 years with LifeWay Christian Resources.  Eddie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Belmont University and a Masters of Religious Education from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.    Eddie is married to Anita Clay and they have two children and two grandchildren.  Eddie is passionate about seeing others grow in their relationship to God through discipleship.

• Favorite Bible Verse - Isaiah 7:9  "If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all."
• Favorite Hobbies - Pickleball, golf, antique shopping and traveling with Anita. 

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

Reverend Jim started serving at EBC in March of 2020.  He has pastored churches in Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina.  He served 13 years as Chaplain with 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 and the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.   Jim served 3 years in the military as a US Army Personnel Specialist.  He is married to Annie Ruth McSwain Brackett.  Together they have four children, six grandchildren and one great grandson.  Reverend Jim is passionate about encouraging and recognizing the work of EBS's staff.  He is passionate about caring for EBC's seniors.  He always has a smile and something encouraging to say.

• 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.

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 has 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.

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 to a leading 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, and spending time with friends and family.

stephanie@elizabethchurch.org

Stephanie began serving as EBC’s Children's Ministry Assistant in December 2023. From a young age she developed a passion for serving Christ’s church and His body of believers. Over the years, she has ministered to and taught children in various church groups, homeschool co-ops, and Community Bible Study. She has a passion for teaching children the hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ. She is married to Toby Gulledge, and they have two daughters.

• Favorite Bible Verse: And David said: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand, it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.” 1 Chronicles 29:10-13
• Hobbies: Classic Cinema, Cooking, and spending time with her 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.

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, and 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, recording engineer, music producer, and teacher.  He is married to Michelle, a nurse, and they live in Lattimore with their three 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, watching the Atlanta Braves, playing guitar, movies.

Chris started with EBC in September of 2023.He studied Music Performance at Francis Marion University and Worship and Music at East Coast Bible College. Chris has lead worship music for the last thirty years for churches in Gaston County. He is the Vice President of Operations for Good Will Publishers and is married to Crystal Childers Lynch, who works for Caromont Women’s Health. They have been married for thirty three years and have one daughter and son in law, Tyler and Madison Stevens. Chris has a passion for modern worship music as well as the traditional hymns.

• Favorite Bible Verse – David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on the musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise the sounds of joy. 1 Chronicles 15:16
• Favorite Hobbies – Antiquing with Crystal, Hunting/Fishing and cruising on the motorcycle.