Leadership
and
Staff
staff
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
David Casanega
David Hopper
Nathan Kline
R.J. Miles
Travis Rimert
Bert Stokes
Dave Walters
deacons
Ed Collins
David Henson
Doug Gentry
Brian Shearer
Steven Thaggard
Brian Wall
Dan Griffith
Brian Skinner
Joel Woodard
