Our Staff Team

Rev. Dr. Matthew B. Hastings,
Lead Pastor

Ordained Elder

Joined HCN Staff in 2022

Matt has served as a youth pastor to churches in Florida & Michigan before taking a lead position in Tennessee. He has served as a lead pastor for 5 years in Chattanooga & 10 years in Estill Springs. Matt also serves as an adjunct professor for Trevecca Nazarene University’s School of Graduate & Continuing Studies program. He has taught Ethical Leadership, Congregational Discipleship, Intro to Christian Ministry, Christian Worldview and Biblical Perspectives. Matt and his wife, Keri, are both graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University. They have 5 children, 2 sons in law & 2 grandsons; Bailee & Matthew Davis (& Brooks), Evan & Emily (& Ronan) Clemons, Matt Jr., William and Emmett. Pastor Matt is deeply committed to transparent pastoral ministry and fostering the church to live out an authentic faith in Jesus Christ.  Email
Subscribe to Pastor Matt’s Tuesday’s Good Word HERE

Rev. Carol Waller,
Executive Pastor

Ordained Elder

Joined HCN Staff in 1999

Carol Waller serves as Executive Pastor at HCN. In this role, she oversees all administrative and operational aspects of the church to ensure the vision & mission of HCN are accomplished. The call of God on her life is to preach and lead and serve the local church. She is an Ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene and a graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University and Vanderbilt University. Carol is married to Michael Waller, who is the Director of Engineering at REI in Cookeville, TN and they have 4 children plus 2 sons-in-law and 1 grandson : Anna & Chase (& Everett) Earles, Sara, Becca & Christian Bowlin, and Lucas. Email 

Rev. Laura Neumar
Worship Pastor

Joined HCN Staff in 2024

Holding a bachelor’s degree in worship arts and a master’s degree in organizational leadership, Laura brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to Hermitage Church. Laura is a gifted musician, vocalist, and spirit-filled worship leader. She has been a Chapel Worship Mentor and a PR Band Coach for Trevecca as well as serving as a Worship Pastor for 6 years in Nashville.  Laura’s husband, Jake, is a singer-songwriter and producer in Nashville. Laura and Jake have one child, Eloise.

Rev. Jennifer Neely,
Community Life Pastor

District Licensed

Joined HCN Staff in 2019

Jennifer “Jenn” Neely has been at Hermitage Church for 26 years and came on pastoral staff in March 2019 serving as the LIVEWIRE Middle School Pastor. She brings high energy, deep faith and 20 years of experience working with University students as they identify and reach their life goals. Jenn is trained as a therapist and her greatest calling is to walk with people of all ages challenging them and pointing them to Jesus as they become whole and holy beings. Beginning in 2022 Jenn began serving as our Community Life Pastor. This role provides connection points for all ages, supporting and elevating the HCN values of hospitality, discipleship and relationship building. Jenn is married to Kris and is momma to Wyatt and Benton. Email                                 

Rev. Brad Mullins,
College Pastor

District Licensed

Joined HCN Staff in 2022

Brad is a district licensed minister who is completing his Religion Major with a minor in Pastoral Ministries degree at Trevecca.  Brad began his ministry with our middle school students as a small group leader and has demonstrated faithfulness and incredible relationship building skills. Brad transitioned to the role of College Pastor in 2023. He is married to Bella who works at HCA. They are expecting their first child. Email        

Rev. Hunter Steinmetz,
Senior High Pastor

Ordained Elder

Joined HCN Staff in 2014

Hunter Steinmetz serves as the high school and college pastor at HCN. Hunter is a child of HCN. He is an Ordained Elder in the church of the Nazarene and a graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University with a bachelor’s degree in pastoral ministry. He began an internship with the NextGen Team in 2013 that led to him becoming the middle school pastor in 2014. In the spring of 2015, he became the high school pastor. Hunter is a mission-minded, discipleship-driven, and Spirit-led follower of Christ and calls his students to be the same. Email

Dawson Bush,
Middle School Ministries Pastor

Joined HCN Staff in August of 2023 

Dawson Bush is a product of our B1 Ministries & is pursuing a call to ministry through his studies at Trevecca. He is one of a kind. He has a sense of humor perfect for middle schoolers & a spiritual depth that will shepherd them well. Dawson is excited to meet all of our middle school students & families. Email

 

Melissa Holder,
Elementary Ministries Pastor

Joined HCN Staff in 2021

Melissa serves as our of Elementary Ministries Pastor.  She has a BS in Social Work and a background in Children’s Ministries.  She is married to Randy and homeschools her 4 children. Email

 

 

Mica Mitchell,
Preschool Director

Joined HCN Staff in 2016

Mica Mitchell has served in the HCN Lamb’s Club preschool ministry since 2016, when she initially began as the ministry assistant before becoming the preschool director. She graduated from the University of Louisville with a master’s in Communication Disorders and works as a speech language pathologist at a pediatric therapy clinic. Mica is married to Dustin and they have two young daughters. Email

Rev. Ramón and Rev. Alma Rosa Gonzalez, Pastors of Iglesia del Nazareno Betel Hermitage

Ordained Elders

Ramón  and Alma Rosa lead HCN’s Hispanic Congregation.  They are gifted communicators with hearts for evangelism.  They desire that our Hispanic neighbors find HCN to be a place where they can worship and be discipled in Christ.  They have 2 children and 1 son-in-law, Diana & Samuel Moore and Isaac. Email

 

Don Hastings,
Chapel Worship Minister of Music

Joined HCN Staff in August of 2022

Don Hastings has over 50 years of experience leading worship and directing choirs in the Church of the Nazarene. He and his wife, B.K., are graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University. They have two children, Missi (Brian) Schmelzenbach, Matt (Keri) Hastings, 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandsons. Don is the Engagement Officer for Planned Giving and Senior Adult Engagement at Trevecca. Email

 

Jody Scott
Office Administrator

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Pam McNeese,
Head Housekeeper

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Betty Willis,
Choir Secretary

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