Leadership

AJ has called the Gulf Coast home since 2001, falling in love with the people and the pace of life in the Pensacola and Navarre areas. After years of ministry leadership and creative ventures, he and his wife Rachelle planted Gathering House with a simple heartbeat, to create a space where people can truly encounter the presence of God and belong like family.  AJ’s passion is helping people rediscover the beauty of Jesus through honest conversation, community, and purpose-driven living. His messages blend storytelling, humor, and heartfelt truth, inspiring others to live out faith in real, everyday ways. When he’s not preaching or building community, you’ll find him  making memories with Rachelle and their two kids, Rylie and Beckett, right here in Navarre.

Born and raised in Pensacola, Rachelle carries a deep love for the people and families of the Gulf Coast. With a heart that beats for authenticity and connection, she helps shape the culture of Gathering House as a place marked by love, worship, and belonging. Her leadership combines strength and grace, and her faith overflows into every part of her life as a wife, mom, and pastor. Together with AJ, she’s been serving in ministry for over 16 years, building not just a church, but a family of faith that feels like home.

Jordan and Emily carry a heart for worship that goes far beyond music, it's about leading people into a genuine, intimate encounter with God. With over 10 years of serving on worship teams, including right here at Gathering House, they bring a depth and authenticity that can only come from years of faithful service. Jordan and Emily don't just lead worship from a stage, they live it. Their desire is to move the church into a deeper, more intimate place of worship, where people feel free to encounter Jesus in a real way.

Cody and Jen have a passion for raising up a generation that knows who they are and Whose they are. Their heart for students runs deep, not just to teach them about faith, but to walk with them through it. At Gathering House, they lead our youth with energy, authenticity, and a love that meets students right where they are.
Together, Cody and Jen create spaces where teenagers can ask questions, find belonging, and encounter the real presence of God. Whether it’s through a Wednesday night hangout, or a powerful moment in worship, they believe every student carries a calling worth fighting for. Their ministry is all about helping young people see that faith isn’t just something you believe, it’s something you live.

Nathan and Lisa have called Navarre home since 2015, bringing with them a lifetime of ministry experience and a heart for serving others. Their story began at Bible school in Oklahoma, where they met and married in 2001, following God’s call together ever since. They spent two years in Germany serving on pastoral staff alongside Nathan’s family before returning to Missouri, where their family grew through the adoption of their two children, Dwayne and Jessi, in 2011. Today, Nathan and Lisa continue to serve faithfully as part of Gathering House leadership, helping to guide the church with wisdom, compassion, and a deep love for people.

Jamie brings to the Gathering House board a heart for faithful service and a passion for seeing community thrive in vibrant relationship with God and one another. Having grown up around faith, Jamie has stepped into leadership with both humility and vision, offering wisdom that’s grounded in everyday life and anchored in scripture. As a trusted steward, Jamie helps guide our church’s mission with steady compassion, clear-sighted insight, and a deep commitment to seeing people of all ages belong and grow.