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Friendly Hills Church Staff_edited.jpg

Leadership
and
Staff

staff

Friendly Hills Church Family and Outreach Director Christ Jessup

A native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Chris attended Guilford College in Greensboro, where he played football and graduated with a bachelor's degree in exercise and sports science.

 

In November 2020, Chris joined the Friendly Hills Church staff as the Director of family care and  outreach after serving with Youth for Christ. He is currently working on his master of  divinity degree at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte.

 

Chris and his wife, Kelli, have two daughters. Chris is pretty magical. No, really, he can do magic tricks. Just ask him some time.

Chris Jessup

Director of Family Care and Outreach

Friendly Hills Church Youth Director Amanda Martin_edited.jpg

Originally from Colorado, Amanda moved to North Carolina in 2019. She earned a biology degree with a minor in Bible & Theology at Multnomah University in Oregon. 

 

In August 2020, Amanda joined the Friendly Hills Church staff as the youth director, and added social media director duties two years later. She is working on her Christian counseling degree at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte.​

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Need caffeine? Amanda gives directions around town based on coffee shop locations. 

Amanda Martin

Director of Youth and Social Media

Friendly Hills Church Children's Director Cindy Beck

A lifelong Greensboro resident, Cindy attended Western Guilford High School,  Appalachian State University,  and later completed an associates degree in Theology through Life Christian University. 

 

Cindy joined the Friendly Hills Church staff in October 2016 for a 6-month temporary position as Children's Ministry Director. The 6 months will soon become 6 years. She says that it is hard to walk away from a job this rewarding and people this welcoming. 

 

Cindy and her husband, Allan, have four adult children and enjoy serving together in all areas of ministry. 

Cindy Beck

Director of Children's Ministry

Friendly Hills Church Accountant John Smith_edited.jpg

A native Missourian, John moved around with his parents to Tennessee and Kentucky, where he spent more than 30 years as the controller for a small brick manufacturing company. Following a few mergers and buyouts, he moved to Greensboro in 2004 with his wife, Donna.

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As the church's accountant, John has enjoyed both the job and getting to know the people of Friendly Hills since 2012. 

 

His family includes a two sons and daughters-in-law, a grandson, a granddaughter, and two great-grandchildren.

John Smith

Accountant

Friendly Hills Church Worship Director James Woodward_edited.jpg

James was born and raised in McLeansville, North Carolina. James attended UNC Greensboro and majored in community recreation and event planning. In 2017, he enrolled at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned his master's degree in worship leadership. After graduating in 2021, James joined the Friendly Hills Church staff as the worship director and is pursuing ordination in the Presbyterian Church of America. 

 

James is married to Lily, and they have a dog, Sam. James enjoys playing board and card games of all kinds. He would love to join you for a game night!

James Woodward

Director of Worship

Friendly Hills Church Executive Admin Kelly  Kenion

Kelly was born in Charlotte but spent the next 17 years moving every year or two with her family, finally settling in Atlanta for 19 years.  She worked in IT for 13 years after graduating from Georgia Tech, then moved back to the Tarheel state with her husband Shaw and son Walker in 1996. 

 

After moving to Charlotte, Kelly retired from IT to stay at home with Walker while working part-time jobs, including working for a Presbyterian church and for the Y teaching Spinning.  After the family moved to Greensboro (Shaw’s hometown), Kelly continued teaching Spinning and worked part-time as a Montreat conference administrator and then full-time for two local churches. 

 

Kelly enjoys walking, going to the beach and watching football.

Kelly Kenion

Executive Admin

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Nathan hails from the western United States, was born in California and grew up in Idaho. He completed his undergraduate in biblical studies and English literature. His focus at Trinity Divinity School was a Master of Divinity degree that emphasized Old Testament studies.

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Following graduate school, Nathan moved with his wife, Suzanne,  and family to Wisconsin, where they served at a PCA church for 17 years before moving to Jamestown to minister at Friendly Hills Church.

 

Nathan and Suzanne have four children and two grandchildren. He enjoys reading poetry, especially  works of his favorite poet George Herbert. He also enjoys writing original poetic pieces. 

Nathan Kline

Senior Pastor

Amy Podvin.jpg

Originally from Florida,  Amy and her husband Dean moved up to North Carolina in the Spring of 2018. She graduated from Daytona State College with her AS degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant in 2012.  Amy and Dean have two daughters Lena and Gianna.


In August of 2023, Amy was hired as the Nursery Director and Event Coordinator. 


Amy loves working with her hands and building things out of wood. She is consistently growing her woodworking tool set to enhance her woodworking skills.

Amy Podvin

Nursery Director and Events Coordinator

*Hover over each staff photo to read more about them.

elders

Friendly Hills Church Elder David Casanega

David Casanega

Friendly Hills Church Elder David Hopper

David Hopper

Friendly Hills Church Head Pastor_Elder Nathan Kline

Nathan Kline

Friendly Hills Church Elders RJ Miles

R.J. Miles

Friendly Hills Church Elder Travis Rimert

Travis Rimert

Friendly Hills Church Elder Bert Stokes

Bert Stokes

Friendly Hills Church Elder Dave Walter

Dave Walters

deacons

Friendly Hills Deacon Ed Collins_edited_edited_edited.jpg

Ed Collins

Friendly Hills Church Deacon David Henson

David Henson

Friendly Hills Church Deacon Doug Gentry

Doug Gentry

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Brian Shearer

Steven Thaggard

Friendly Hills Church Deacon Brian Wall
Friendly Hills Church Deacon Steven Thaggard

Brian Wall

Friendly Hills Church Deacon Dan Griffith

Dan Griffith

Friendly Hills Church Deacon Brian Skinner

Brian Skinner

Friendly Hills Church Deacon Joel Woodard

Joel Woodard

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