Paul Lawler - Senior Pastor

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Paul Lawler is a husband, father, teacher, pastor, and church planter.  He began serving as the Senior Pastor of Christ Church in June of 2007.  Prior to serving Christ Church, Paul served as the founding Pastor of Chase Valley Church, a church plant he served for 16 years in Huntsville, Alabama.

During his 16 years in Huntsville, Paul was also the founder of the Greater Huntsville Pastor's Prayer Summit movement.  This movement was birthed to foster an atmosphere of prayer throughout the greater church for the sake of renewal among pastors and Christian leaders, local churches, and the city.   Paul also served as the Executive Director of Mission Huntsville, a movement that existed to foster support of trans-denominational initiatives that ushered forth positive impact upon the entire region.

Paul is a graduate of Asbury College, and Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.  In addition to serving as a pastor, he continues to be involved in equipping church planters, helping churches vision for maximum effectiveness, and helping Christian movements establish initiatives that touch cities and the unreached people groups of the world.  He has been involved in influencing local churches to plant over 165 churches on four different continents.

Paul is married to Missy, who also serves as the Christ Church Children's Minister.  In addition to Missy serving in a vital role on the Christ Church staff, she can also be found somewhere around the world sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.   Missy's missional lifestyle has led her to be a part of church planting teams in the nations of Paraguay, Costa Rica, Russia, and India.  Paul and Missy have four children:  Luke (21), Wes (19), Stewart (12) and Laura (12), and a dog named Frisbee. 

As an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church, UMs in North Alabama honored Paul by giving him the Denman Evangelism Award in 2002 for his servant-leadership in reaching new people for Jesus Christ.  In his spare time, he enjoys family time, hiking, water-sports, reading, and a good cup of coffee.

Bob Taylor - Worship Pastor

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Bob Taylor is a husband, father, worship leader, Director of the Christ Church School of Fine Arts, and equipper of musicians for God's glory.  Bob Taylor began his piano studies at the age of 19, and quickly began to blossom as highly touted musician.  As he began to pursue his education and his skills continued to improve, he quickly became someone who was in demand as a musician.

During a stint as a Nevada casino-resort performer, Bob began to discover emptiness in his soul that stirred his heart in an unprecedented way.  In Bob's own words, "Shortly before I went to Nevada to play at a Casino, I went to my 10 year high school reunion, where I became reacquainted with Sherry Everson.  At this time in my life, I was playing music, going to bars, and living a life that was far from God. When I asked her out on date, she responded by inviting me to church.  A month later I left for Nevada in search of the easy life. Good money, playing music, no responsibilities. Something was missing. I had come to realize that I had been digging a ‘man made hole' that only God could fill. It was out in Nevada that I gave my life to Jesus Christ. Shortly after, I left the casino group and returned home to Birmingham.  I began attending church regularly with Sherry.  It was there that God really began to change my heart and I began to find purpose.  God began opening doors that would eventually lead to full time ministry."

In addition to serving as the worship pastor of Christ Church, Bob also plays in several bands in the Birmingham area including the Joe Giatini Band, the Super Jazz Big Band, and his own Jazz Trio.  Bob is also the Director of the Christ Church School of Fine Arts.  The mission of the school is to, "Redeem the Arts for the Glory of God".  Bob has a passion for seeing people of all ages express love for God through exalting Him through song, music, and the arts.

 A graduate of Birmingham Southern College with a degree in piano studies with Steinway artist William Devan, Bob also holds a Master's Degree with Tom Wolfe in jazz arranging from the University of Alabama.  Bob is married to Sherry Taylor.  They have two children, Riley (10) and Gavin (6).  Bob also enjoys golf, mountain biking, and time with friends and family. 

Nancy Markham - Discipleship Minister

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Nancy Markham serves as the Christ Church Discipleship Minister.  She is committed to helping build a culture of disciple-making whereby Christ Church serves to "make disciples who make disciples who make disciples" for God's glory.

Nancy's early career path included working for a gubernatorial campaign and also working for the Norrell Corporation.  She came to know Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior through participation in Bible Study Fellowship.  Up to this time, Nancy knew about God, but it was during that year of study and building relationships with other Christ-followers that Nancy came to know Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and surrendered her life to Him.  Nancy went on to serve as one of the leaders in the BSF disciple-making ministry for the next 14 years.

Nancy is a graduate of Georgia Southern University where she earned a degree in Home Economics.  She married Rob Markham in 1984 and after the birth of their first child she became a full-time Mom.  Nancy and Rob have two children, Madoline (22) and Patrick (19).  Nancy also enjoys working out at the gym, riding bikes, and reading.

Pam Bates - Minister of Missions & Creative Arts

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Having served in student ministry for over 25 years, Pam Pates has served as the Christ Church Student Pastor since June of 2000.  Pam is a highly relational Christ follower who loves to see students meet Jesus and grow in relationship with Him.  She is a constant catalyst in encouraging others to live out their faith, engaging in the liberating movement of serving others, and making disciples of all peoples.

In Pam's own words, "I have had the privilege of serving in student ministry for over 25 years.  As one who became a Christian at the age of 17, I am grateful for the importance and eternal difference a relationship with God makes in the lives of teens and young adults.  I love joining others in living out their faith, serving others in the name of Jesus and making disciples of all peoples."

A graduate of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Special Education, Pam and her husband, Carl, to whom she has been married for 28 years, have two children, Matt (24) and Anna (20).

David Huffman - Student Pastor

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David Huffman was born and raised in Spokane, Washington.  In February 1999 during midst of his 9^th grade year he became a servant of Christ at a youth retreat in Oregon.  Five months later, his family of 7 moved to serve as missionaries in Haiti.  He says, "Though it was the hardest year of my life, I believe fully that God used that time to build a foundation in my personal relationship with Him, and to get my heart moving in a ‘missional' way!"  Nearly every summer since then David has been involved in cross-cultural Youth mission trips with various ministries, including Reign Ministries (Royal Servants), Adventures in Missions (AIM), as well as travelling independently.  Overseas he has partnered with many different ministries on location including Youth With A Mission (YWAM), Operation Mobilization (OM), International Justice Mission (IJM), Jews for Jesus, Teen Mission International (TMI), and more.  He has served in ministry specifically geared towards youth in over 35 countries in the past 8 years.

Soon after his high school graduation in 2002, David joined Reign Ministries and traveled the United States and overseas as a youth speaker, visiting schools, youth groups, churches, and college ministries speaking about cross-cultural ministries and discipleship.   In 2004 he attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago studying Biblical Theology.  Since Moody, he has served in churches working with youth and college ministries in Chicago, Ft. LauderdaleFL, and Destin, FL. 

David is passionate about the youth of America, and believes that God can and will use them to impact the world.  His goal is to develop a group of students who are continually pushed outside of their comfort zone so that leaning  on Jesus becomes a lifestyle.  In his own words, "Ultimately, I desire that God is glorified with my life, my leader's lives, and the lives of the students, even well after they are gone.  I desire to equip youth and youth leaders to have Great Commandment hearts, and Great Commission lifestyles."

In his free time David enjoys hanging out with kids, reading the classic authors AW Towzer, CS Lewis, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, playing basketball, football, and badminton, watching Gonzaga basketball, playing musical instruments, and climbing things.  His favorite books of the Bible are Job and Philippians.  After living in the South David now officially loves southern food much better than northern, and loves the weather!

Missy Lawler - Children's Minister 

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Laura Gossett - Pastoral Care & Prayer Minister

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Four years ago, Laura Gossett began serving as the first pastoral care minister of Christ Church.  She builds teams that express the love of Christ to people during times of illness or other needs.  She believes that we are meant to walk along side each other, sharing in joys and helping bear one another's burdens. Laura has a passion for people to experience restoration and walk in the freedom and abundant life made possible through Jesus.  Her life scriptures are Psalm 16:11 and Nehemiah 8:10.

"In His presence is fullness of joy." and  "The joy of the Lord is your strength."

Two years ago, Laura was commissioned to serve in the development of prayer ministry at Christ Church.  She has a passion to help people discover the gift and power of prayer.  In her words, "To pray with someone is an honor and blessing. Transformation and healing are always possible in the presence of Jesus.  Prayer is the most powerful thing we can do for one another and for the kingdom of God."

Laura is a graduate of Samford University and received a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. She has worked as an elementary school teacher, preschool director, and as an owner of an interior decorating business. Laura and her husband, Chris, have been married for 23 years and have two sons, Eric (18) and Jacob (15).  She loves to spend time with friends, read, and travel.

Lynne Fortunis - Business Administrator, Celebrate Recovery Leader, Singles Minister (40+)

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In addition to Lynne's role as Business Administrator, she also serves as the servant-leader of Celebrate Recovery and the Christ Church Singles Ministry to persons over 40.  Believing that "God never wastes a hurt" Lynne has allowed God to use her own pain and recovery to build both the Singles Ministry for people over 40 and help launch Celebrate Recovery®, a ministry for helping people find hope and healing from all kinds of hurts, hang-ups and habits.

Lynne finds it a privilege and a blessing to minister to others and observing God at work in transforming lives.

Lynne has two grown children, Chris (30) and Tiffany (28), and a Golden Retriever named Judah.

Susan Miller - Minister of Discovery

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Susan Miller is a native of Columbia, SC.  She attended Brewton Parker College in Mount Vernon, GA,  and later received a Dental Hygienist License through the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Susan and her family have been members at Christ Church United Methodist since 1995.  "After the birth of my son, I retired from full-time work as a Dental Hygienist to spend more time being a mom. Later, I felt called to be a part of the church and a deep need to help people come to know Jesus Christ and was open to God's leading."  She began working as a volunteer in both the Children's and Christ's  Kids Preschool programs at Christ Church. In 2003, Susan became a staff member at Christ Church serving as the Minister of Discovery. "I found my true calling in helping people find their place serving in the Body of Christ."

Susan is married to Alan Miller, and they have one son, Nathan (11).

Administrative Support Team

left to right 

Judi Hoffman-Membership Secretary    This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

 Claudia Beech-Bookkeeper   This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

 Jane Cornelius-Pastor's Assistant   This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

 Sharon Ams-Publishing/Financial Secretary   This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it