Pastor Emeritus William H. (Bill) Montague served Mt. Tabor Church Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America from the spring of 2002 until the September Presbytery of 2011 where he asked to be relieved of duties because of an on-going illness. He was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina in 1943 and came to Tennessee in 1961 to attend Knoxville College (PCUSA). From birth to 1969 he was a member of Haymount United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, NC. He completed high school at Boggs Academy in Keysville, Georgia which was owned and operated by the Presbyterian Church United States of America. While enrolled at Knoxville College he served as a lay-minister to New Market Presbyterian Church. Upon graduation from college in 1966, he chose to delay seminary and went to work as an Assistant District Scout Executive for Boy Scouts of America-New York City. After 6 months he was drafted into the United States Army and served as an Instructor for Special Purpose Equipment and Vehicles at Fort Lee, VA until deployment to Vietnam in 1969. Upon returning from Vietnam, he came to Jackson, TN as a Police Officer, later joining Mother Liberty C.M.E. Church and answered the “call” to the ministry. In 1973 he was ordained and assigned churches in Hardeman County.TN. By 1976 he had completed graduate school and was assigned to churches across the state until 2002 when he asked to go on “Leave of Absence” status to come to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America as Pastor at Mt Tabor. Pastor Montague had a dual career as a bio-vocational minister along with 30+ years of duty as a Correctional Professional (teacher, Principal, Deputy Warden, Jail Administrator, and Prison Operations Administrator). He was married to Jacque Carolyn Cole until her death. They have five children. He has been married to Deborah Montague since 1996. In 2005 he completed Seminary at Memphis Theological Seminary with a Master’s of Divinity degree.
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Reverend Mark Hester is in his 9th year serving as the Pastor of Loudon Cumberland Presbyterian Church in the Presbytery of East Tennessee. He had a long career as a bi-vocational minister serving often as an Interim, Stated Supply and Pulpit Supply. Before his retirement from full-time secular work in 2021, he was a Registered Investment Advisor and Certified as a Financial Planner. In his 43 years in the financial world, he managed wealth for clients in 27 states and specialized in taking care of ministers and their families. Mark studied Communications at the University of Tennessee, Religion and Arts at Lambuth University (University of Memphis), Finance and Estate planning from Michigan State University and The American College and Theology from Southern Seminary and Memphis Theological Seminary. He is a Program of Alternate Studies graduate and beginning a final year in a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Therapy program from Memphis Theological Seminary. He is the Chair of his Presbytery’s Committee on the Ministry – Clergy Care and has served on various boards and agencies at all judicatory levels. He is a former member of the Board of Trustees at Bethel University. He has been an Instructor for Program of Alternate Studies and Memphis Theological Seminary in minister’s finance. Mark is at least a 4th generation Cumberland Presbyterian and a Cumberland Presbyterian “preacher’s kid”. He is a native Tennessean and he and his wife live happily ever after in Farragut, Tennessee.
Mark is working on a doctoral research project on clergy care for Cumberland Presbyterian ministers. The purpose is to better serve ministers involving self-care and continuing education. If you are Cumberland Presbyterian minister, click the link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7T3RTYF. The survey is point and click and takes approximately five minutes.
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Greg Bowen writes, "Hello, I’m Greg Bowen, and I have the incredible privilege of serving as the full-time pastor of Liberty Cumberland Presbyterian Church in McMinnville, Tennessee. Sharing the gospel and helping others grow in their faith is my passion, and I love seeing lives transformed by God’s truth. I’ve been married to my wonderful wife, Sue, for 38 years, and together we have been blessed with a beautiful family. Our daughter, Keri, and her husband, Ryan, live in Glasgow, Kentucky, and they have given us the joy of being grandparents to our sweet granddaughter, Blakely, who is 11. Our son, Grant, and his wife, Brittany, also live in Glasgow and have blessed us with our energetic grandson, Gatlin, who is 2. Before stepping into full-time ministry, I spent over 17 years in the broadcasting media industry. While that was an exciting chapter of my life, God had bigger plans, leading me to serve Him and His people in a new way. Now, my heart is focused on preaching, teaching, and helping
others experience the love and grace of Jesus Christ. I love connecting with people, whether through worship, Bible study, or just a good conversation about faith and life. I believe God’s Word is powerful and relevant, and I’m excited to share this journey with you!"
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Originally from Cali, Colombia, Juan Manuel Cabezas Torres is a husband and father who loves God and believes that everyone can contribute to God’s kingdom uniquely. He graduated from Colegio Americano, a school founded by the Cumberland Presbyterian Mission in Colombia. Then, he earned his degree as Dentist from University Santiago de Cali. Juan and his wife later made Memphis, Tennessee their home. Juan has been an active member of Faith Cumberland Presbyterian Church for years, sharing his musical talents as a drummer in the worship praise band. His journey of faith led him to pursue ministry, earning his Master of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary in 2024. In early 2025, he officially joined Faith Church as Associate Pastor, working in a supportive role alongside Pastor Rev. Dr. Andy McClung. With a heart for service, connection, and spiritual growth, Juan is committed to boosting his congregation and supporting our community meaningfully.
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Reverend Jamie Adams is a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, a school teacher, and entrepreneur. To learn more about The Record Shop, click the link below to the December 2024 issue of The Cumberland Presbyterian magazine.
https://www.calameo.com/cppubarc/read/007729667ca6ed8a20773?authid=BgFycxxQ1Esp
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Reverend Brian Gibson writes:
"My name is Brian Gibson. I am sixty years old and have been married to Michelle for 32 years. We met on July 4th of 1992 and were married on September 12th of 1992. We have three children Adam, Kevin, and Annalise. We also have four grandchildren Haley, Hagen, Gabby, and Amelia.
My daughter, Annalise, was the catalyst in my wife and I returning to church. She was friends with Drew Edwards, son of Joey Edwards, and asked if we could go to her dad’s church. We attended on that Sunday and our faith journey began.
I began seminary at the age of fifty. My first professor, Steve Parrish walked in with long hair and sandals and a notebook the size of two Bibles. Introduction to the Old Testament was begun.
During my spiritual walk, my wife lost her mother and I lost my brother and mother. I also lost a great deal of my eyesight to a disease known as optic neuritos. Those stumbling blocks led me to almost end my faith walk. If it had not been for Tiffany McClung, Barry Anderson, and Courteney Pace, I would have closed the book on the calling God has told me to take. I am also grateful the strength my family gave me and continues to give me to this very day."
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Reverend Isaac Gray is a lifelong Cumberland Presbyterian born and raised in East Tennessee. He began his ministry journey in 2008 after being ordained at his home church in Afton shortly after graduating seminary. He and his family moved to Smithville in July of 2014 after pastoring the Pineville Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Arkansas for 6 years. Isaac, his wife Susan, and his two children, Caleb and Sarah, are excited to be in Smithville doing the work God has given them.
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Reverend Taylor Young is a 34 years old pastor of St. Luke Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Madison, Tennessee. He is a first generation Cumberland Presbyterian and graduate of Memphis Theological Seminary. Taylor and his wife are expecting their first child soon and can't wait for that new journey.
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Reverend Rian Puckett serves as the minister of the Faith Hopewell and New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian churches in the Batesville, Arkansas area. Additionally, he is the boys' basketball coach at Salem High School. Rian met his wife, Michelle, while students at Bethel College and they have two children, Colby and Brooklyn. Rian has a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from Bethel and an Master of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary.
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Audrey Adams, a 25 year-old life-long Cumberland Presbyterian and recent Memphis Theological Seminary (MTS) graduate, joins us today to talk about her faith journey. Audrey comes to us having graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin (UTM) in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a minor in Communications. While at UTM, Audrey balanced part-time work at a local law practice and participated and served in various organizations, including SGA and the Writing Center, as well as volunteered as the youth leader at Cool Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Trimble, Tennessee, where her mother is the current pastor and where she was able to serve in various leadership roles at Cumberland Presbyterian youth functions. Through the English program, Audrey also had the opportunity to participate in two travel studies abroad during her time at UTM. After feeling called to further her education at Memphis Theological Seminary following her time at UTM, Audrey began studying at MTS in the Fall of 2021, and recently graduated in May of this year with a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM) with a specialization in social justice. Audrey is presently serving as the Store Manager at her family’s new business venture, For The Record, in downtown Union City, Tennessee.
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Reverend Dennis Croslin writes, "I've been married to Melinda for almost 22 years. We have 8 children. I have been the pastor at Union Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church for 11 years and have been ordained since 2017. I'm a PAS graduate and a licensed funeral director and embalmer, which leads to various ministry opportunities. The church that I pastor is the church I grew up in along with my mother, my grandparents, and great-grandparents."
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Reverend Blake Stephens is a life long Cumberland Presbyterian. He was raised in the First Cumberland Presbyterian church in Winchester, Tennessee. It was a long road to ministry for Blake but after many twists and turns he surrendered to the call. He serves the Owens Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian church in Winchester and just celebrated his 10th year there. Blake is a volunteer with his local search and rescue organization and serves as land search captain specializing in tracking and as the group chaplain.
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Larry Blakeburn was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, but grew up in a mobile environment as his father prepared for and participated in full-time ministry. He has lived in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, and Tennessee.
He graduated from Greeneville High School, Bethel University, and later earned a Master of Divinity degree at Memphis Theological Seminary. Additionally, he was the first recipient of a Doctor of Ministry degree from MTS. Larry joined the United States Marine Corps in 1968 and served in Vietnam in 1969, where he was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
Larry was ordained on February 18, 1979. He has served five Cumberland Presbyterian churches: Bolivar CP Church, Bolivar, Tennessee, St. Luke CP Church, Ft. Worth, Texas, West Nashville CP Church, Nashville, Tennessee, Dyersburg First CP Church, Dyersburg, Tennessee, and First CP Church of Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Dr. Blakeburn was President of Memphis Theological Seminary from 1997-2001.
He has served as commissioner to General Assembly several times. Larry was on the Board of Trustees of Memphis Theological Seminary from 1985-1991. He served nine years on the Board of Trustees of Bethel University. Larry was on the General Assembly Organizational Task Force in 2006 and 2007 to evaluate how our denominational organization and structure work together, and on the General Assembly Evaluation Committee for Memphis Theological Seminary and the Historical Foundation which reported to the 189th meeting of General Assembly. He has been moderator of five different presbyteries and served on the Board of Missions and the Committee on the Ministry in those presbyteries.
His philosophy of ministry revolves around trying to be a pastor for every member of his congregation and not just those who agree with him theologically, politically, and socially. “Every congregation that I have served has been made up of people from a variety of religious traditions and people who are politically and socially diverse. We accept absolutely everybody, but that does not mean that we agree with everybody or that we approve of everything they do. We are all in the process of being saved and we are trying our best to be like Christ.
Adapted from the Cumberland Presbyterian magazine, May 2024.
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Nick Chambers was born and raised in Camden, Arkansas. He is the grandson of the late Rev. Leo Smith, who pastored for 50 years in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church (CPC). His mother, former Women’s Ministry President, Martha Chambers, father, and father-in-law are ordained elders in the CP Church. His brother and aunt are also CP Ministers. But serving in the church was never the dream for Nick.
Nick and Andrea have six children who are all homeschooled. His two oldest kids help lead worship every Sunday. Nick has served as moderator of Arkansas and Grace Presbyteries, numerous presbyterial committees, and the Communications Ministry Team. He is currently the pastor of the Camden CP Church, and, via video stream, the Walkerville CP Church. Adapted from the Cumberland Presbyterian magazine, May 2024.
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Rev. Lucas Garcia is a Cumberland Presbyterian minister in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Lucas writes, "I have been happily married for ten years to my beautiful wife Jennifer and we have a three year old son named Santiago. I have served the El Redil Cumberland Presbyterian Church for the past six years as its pastor. It has been a wonderful and fulfilling journey. I love playing the guitar and laughing."
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Benjamin Diaz Villa is an ordained elder and pianist at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Houston, chair of Trinity Presbytery Board of Christian Education, and is currently a PhD aerospace engineering student at the University of Texas at Austin. His research is currently on hypersonic aeroelasticity, and he enjoys composing music in his free time.
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Danny Willis is a Cumberland Presbyterian minister in Owensboro, Kentucky. He and his wife Jessica, join me in this faith journey on Cumberland Road. Danny writes, “my story is one of ‘I am lost and now I am found’ and being pulled from certain death, by God’s hand. My church, wife, and children have all been a huge part of my journey; a journey that has just begun.”
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Matthew H. Gore is a British journalist, historian, popular culturist, archivist, and educator residing in Memphis, Tennessee. He is the immediate past-president of the Society of Tennessee Archivists and is best known for his book The History of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Kentucky to 1988 (2000). He has also published on a variety of topics as diverse as The Origin of Marvelman (a British superhero of the 1950s and 1960s), the relative scarcity of East German philatelics, and the biography of British pulp artist, Denis McLoughlin. He is employed by the Ministry Council of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at the Cumberland Presbyterian Center in Memphis, Tennessee, as editor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Magazine and as publications manager. He has been associated with both Western Kentucky University, which honored him with their James H. Poteet Award, and the University of Kentucky. He also serves as editor for all Boardman Books (Memphis, Tennessee) publications.
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LeighAnn Morgan is serving as the Congregational Life Director at Winchester Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Tennessee. She was raised in the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination and says she has "loved every second of it". She answered the call into ministry while in high school and graduated from Bethel University in Mckenzie, Tennessee with a major in Human Services. LeighAnn is now attending Memphis Theological Seminary.
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Carissa Welch lives in Oklahoma. She and her husband have three children, 7, 5, and 2. She is a seminary student and attends Covenant Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
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