Amy Jones is thankful to have been raised in a Christian home and been at KCC all her life.  She is very involved with KCC’s Mary Martha Ministry and is a member of the Praise Team.  In addition to working full time as a Program Management Coordinator for Leonardo DRS, she has a passion for teaching piano to all ages.  Amy and Buddy have been married for 22 years and have a daughter who is living her best life as a college athlete in Pennsylvania.    

Brian Nolan is a retired veteran of 26 years of service. He has served in volunteer ministry roles over the past 18 years before joining Kempsville Christian Church in 2019. Brian has a Master of Divinity degree from Regent University and was ordained into ministry on May 29, 2022. Brian now serves as KCC’s full-time Associate Minister of Connections. He has a passion for working with Grow Groups, Men’s ministry, and connecting the church to the local community. Brian firmly believes that Grow groups are where biblical truth meets everyday life, and we should strive to meet people where they are in life. Brian loves spending time with his wife, Kim, and their children. He enjoys coaching soccer and cycling and loves to spend time hunting.

Daniel Kline grew up in Butler, PA, and moved to Florida to work at Disney World before becoming a graduate of Saint Petersburg College with an ADN, RN degree and worked as an RN for 12 years in Tampa, FL. After feeling God’s calling to serve full-time in worship ministry, he served as the worship minister at Poplar Springs Church of Christ in NC from 2005 to 2008. He has served as the worship minister at KCC since 2009. He is married to his amazing wife, Deanna, and has three adult children and four grandchildren.

David “Dave” Backus and his wife, Shirley, became Christians in Morocco in 1961.  They have been members at KCC since 2012.  With an AS Ed., BS Psy, and additional studies with the American Association of Christian Counselors, Dave has served in various leadership positions as an ordained minister in the Churches of Christ.  Married 66 years, he and Shirley have 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

David Verdes currently serves as an elder at Kempsville Christian Church. He retired from Chesapeake Regional Medical after 41 years of service as a Clinical Laboratory Director. He has been blessed in marriage for 42 years to Maria Luisa, his college sweetheart. Together, they have three children, Joshua, Jordan, and Jana, and eight grandchildren.

Denise Yonkovich became a Christian in 1991 and has been a member of KCC since 2012.  She holds a Masters and Doctor of Science degrees in physical therapy and currently practices in the home health setting, working with geriatric and frail elderly patients.  She enjoys exercise and encourages others to be functionally fit.  She has been happily married to her husband, Jay (Richard), for 11 years; their blended family includes five adult children, a beautiful granddaughter, and two crazy cats, Luna and Stella, who keep them on their toes!

Don Lauzon has been a dedicated member of Kempsville Christian Church (KCC) since 1989, serving as an Associate Deacon and Deacon before becoming an ordained Elder in 2015. In 2014, Don was also ordained as a minister through House of David Ministries, where he passionately shares his faith and the truth of God’s love. A certified technician for Ford, New Holland, and Kubota, Don holds 14 certifications, including expertise in 10 series Fords and 1765 series hydraulic systems. He has worked as a heavy equipment mechanic at Century Concrete for 35 years. Don has been married to his beautiful wife Michele for 35 years, and together, they have 12 children—10 biological and 2 adopted—along with 35 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Hayden Bennett was born in Washington, D.C., but raised in Marietta, Georgia. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school, which brought him to Norfolk, Virginia, where he served aboard the USS Samuel B. Roberts. While in Virginia, he met his wife, Jeannine. Together, they have three adult children and seven grandchildren. After his Navy service, Hayden transitioned into civilian life by starting a successful flooring business and later earned his MBA in Project Management. Now retired, he enjoys managing stocks, practicing long-range shooting, and watching his Vizsla, Chance, chase birds in a 100-acre field. A long-time member of Kempsville Christian Church, Hayden is an Assistant Deacon who remains actively involved in various volunteer roles and values time spent with family and friends.

Jeannine Bennett is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, and dedicated assistant professor at Liberty University, where she loves empowering others to find purpose in their careers and faith. Holding both a PhD and an MBA, she founded a Christian career coaching and business consulting firm that blends practical strategy with faith-based values. A proud member of Kempsville Christian Church for over 20 years, Jeannine treasures her community and the friendships she’s built there. She’s been happily married to her husband Hayden for 25 years, and they’re blessed with three adult children, seven wonderful grandchildren, and an energetic bird dog named Chance, who fills their home with excitement and love.

Josh Childress has been on the staff of Kempsville Christian Church in Virginia Beach, VA, since January 2000. His tenure of service has included youth ministry, small groups ministry, and associate ministry. In January 2016, KCC transitioned him into the senior ministry role. Josh received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biblical Studies at Point University in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1999. He met his wife, Wendy, on the campus of the college, and together they committed in marriage a few weeks after graduation. They have three beautiful children: Caleb, Tannah, and Isaac. Josh has a passion for the absolute Truth of God’s Word and believes fully in the work and calling of the local church in the community. He loves spending time with his wife, kids, and, of course, the open road on his cherished Harley.

Kathy Mills has been a member of Kempsville Christian Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia, since 2002 and is where her husband Brad served as their church’s worship minister until his death in 2008. She loves to write devotions and words of encouragement for A Widow’s Might Ministry, and her first book, Legacy of Love, was published in 2023. Along with writing, she loves to travel, spend time with friends, and enjoy her sweet little dog, LuChia.

Melissa Caldwell was drawn to Jesus as she attended Kempsville Christian Church to help teach her children values. As a result of hearing God’s word and connecting with the church family, she felt the call on her heart that she needed Jesus. Melissa accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior in 2005. As a licensed clinical social worker, Melissa cherishes the opportunity to support and encourage people in their toughest times. Next year, Melissa and her husband, Daniel, will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They have six children, five amazing women, and one special young man. Melissa and Daniel are also blessed to have two precious granddaughters. Melissa is an avid sports lover, whether it is playing herself, being a coach/athletic director, or cheering on her favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Noelle Peterson became a Christian at the age of nine and grew up as a preacher’s kid.  She has been on staff at KCC as the Kids Ministry Director since February 2019. Noelle went to Florida Christian College, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Christian Ministry and was commissioned at Generations Christian Church in 2010 to serve in vocational ministry.  She also serves on the board of the non-profit organization Impact Forever and loves to travel as a co-trainer with that organization.  Noelle enjoys quality time with friends and family, traveling the world, good coffee and great reads.

Rachel Wentworth was born and raised in a Midwestern, Christian home.  Rachel became a Christian at the age of 9. In 2004, Rachel came to Virginia to study Law at Regent University. Shortly before graduation, she decided to stay in Virginia and placed her membership with KCC in 2007. Since 2007, she has been practicing law and serving at KCC by singing in the choir and teaching in the children’s wing. Rachel is raising her two children, Ella and Dillon, with the help of her parents and enjoys spending time reading and hiking.

Robyn Vasile was taught as a child to love Jesus and dedicated her life to Him as a young teen. Since then, she has been blessed with many church and school leadership responsibilities, keeping her spiritual self focused on His mission. When her hereditary progressive hearing loss became permanent and complete, her entire life changed. She retired from all active duties where hearing comprehension was required, and her hubby became her first interpreter. Robyn has trained three amazing hearing assist dogs to assist her physically over the past 16 years. She now makes things, gardens, renovates, writes Bible Study books, and advocates for the Service Dog community. Through it all, the Lord has been faithful to His Word. Robyn is forever grateful to Him for redirecting her path when she lost her way and for her family’s wonderful support.

Scott Barritt is a 17-year veteran educator. He served as a volunteer in youth ministry for 17 years at various churches before moving on to be the part-time youth minister at Celebration Christian Church in Suffolk. Scott came to Kempsville Christian Church to be the interim youth minister, moved into his current ministry with the Children’s Ministry, and in 2018 transitioned into the Student/Family Ministry position. He has a God-given passion for working with young people. His experience in working with students with special needs adds to his ability to work with all ages. Scott currently resides in Chesapeake with his beautiful, talented, creative wife, Christy, and their two sons, Eli and Silas.

Sydney Mustard became a Christian in 1985 and has been a member of KCC since 1999. Sydney is a Licensed Certified Professional Midwife, and she serves families throughout the Hampton Roads area during their childbearing years. Sydney has been married to her husband, Chris, for 26 years, and they have four adult children together. Sydney enjoys sunny days on the boat and beach, leaf peeping and waterfall chasing in the fall, and fun, competitive games of pickleball.

Tony Hrdlicka was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1978 and has dedicated nearly 24 years to the art of tattooing. In 2007, he moved to Virginia Beach to advance his career, quickly establishing himself as a talented and respected tattoo artist. From 2012 to 2019, Tony was a member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. In February 2019, he experienced a life-changing moment that led him to embrace his faith and use his position at the tattoo shop to inspire and connect with others. Tony is a devoted family man, married for ten years, and the proud father of five children, aged 9 to 28, as well as a grandparent. Since 2022, he has served as a deacon at KCC, actively participating in the garage ministry and baptism team. Tony’s journey reflects his passion for artistry, his commitment to his family, and his dedication to making a positive impact in his community.

Wendy Childress grew up attending the churches where her dad served as senior minister throughout her childhood years. She professed faith in Jesus at a backyard vacation bible school at the age of four, and she was baptized into Christ on her twelfth birthday in a local Upper Michigan lake. She met her husband, Josh Childress, at Atlanta Christian College (now Point University) in 1997, and they were married in 1999. Josh and Wendy have served the Lord together in ministry at Kempsville Christian Church since the year 2000. They have three amazing adult children and enjoy spending time with them. Professionally, Wendy serves the community as a speech-language pathologist. She can often be found hiking, biking, gardening, or doing anything outdoors with family and good friends!