OUR TEAM
PASTOR- JOHN GARGIS
John answered the call into Pastoral Ministry 15 years ago after a long career in Information Technology.
While in ministry, John has served with Celebrate Recovery, Knox Area Rescue Ministries, Emerald Youth Foundation, and Knoxville Leadership Foundation.
He accepted Jesus at the age of 35. He has been sober from his struggle with alcohol and drugs for 22 years. He was a Religion major at Liberty University and completed his seminary studies
at Asbury Theological Seminary.
John's passion is walking with others as they find wholeness in life through their one true identity in Christ.
He has authored a book on this subject which will was released in 2022. (www.pathwaytowholeness.info)
He loves to laugh and have fun in any setting he is in;
and always brings Jesus to any environment where he is present.
John, his wife Becky, have lived in the Hardin Valley area for many years. They have two sons that were HV Hawks. They have two grandsons. All currently live way to far away.
ASSOCIATE PASTOR - GARRETT HAMMONDS
Garrett is originally from Seymour Tennessee, lived in Durham, North Carolina before returning to Knoxville. Garrett has been married for five years to his wonderful wife Kalie. They met each other in college at East Tennessee State University.
After graduating college, he went on to teach ESL courses in Seoul, South Korea for one year, and then he and Kalie taught ESL classes in Madrid Spain for nine months. After returning from Spain, they hiked the Appalachian Trail as Circuit Hikers for the Holston Conference in 2019.
Garrett first felt a call to go into vocational ministry in 2012 while on a mission trip. He shares, "I felt a passion connecting people to God’s love. It took several years for me to develop a clearer sense of what God was calling me to, but eventually I felt led to attend Seminary. During my time serving in local congregations for my field education, I felt a strong sense that God was leading me to serve as a Pastor. I loved preaching, helping serve communion, and working with the other ministries of the Church."
Garrett was appointed as the Associate Pastor of Valley Church July of 2023
Email Garret at garrett@valleychurch.church
CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR- LEXIE VAN PELT
When you call the church, chances are you will hear Lexie's voice and sense her desire to help you.
Lexie Henry Van Pelt grew up in East Knoxville on her family farm which was settled in the late 1700s. She is proud to have deep roots in Knoxville’s history. She and her husband Bill both graduated from UT in 1984. After graduation, they moved to Augusta, GA where they lived for 31 years.
They are both lifelong Methodists and have served in many positions including Administrative, Committee Chair, Treasurer, Teacher, Children & Youth. Lexie was a stay-at-home mom for many years with their daughter Haley. She served in many volunteer positions in Haley’s school and community activities.
In 2009, Haley was injured in an automobile accident and is now disabled. In 2015, Lexie and her family moved back to Knoxville to be closer to family and they built a home in Hardin Valley. Through caring for Haley’s needs they have seen God work in so many ways to provide for their family. They have a strong faith and believe that the Lord sees us and knows our hearts.
Jeremiah 29:11- "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
DIRECTOR OF FAMILY MINISTRIES - CHRIS JACOBS
Chris grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, and he fell in love with the mountains when he went to college at ETSU and seminary at Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan University. He felt a call to ministry after giving his life to God at the age of 21 and immediately diving into Fraternity & Sorority ministry on ETSU’s campus.
Many years and adventures later he met his wife Lauren online and they truly are a perfect match! She loves to travel and go outdoors much like Chris! They live in Maryville with their 2 sons Viggo and Milo
and their dog Kaya and 2 cats.
Over the past 20 years Chris has had the opportunity to be involved with a variety of different types of ministries spanning from elementary ages through adulthood! Each age holds a special place in his heart, and he has always felt called to children and youth ministry.
Chris loves collecting vinyl records, traveling, quoting funny movies, and eating anything drenched in sauce! Say hi to Chris at chris@valleychurch.church.
Worship leader / Producer
aaron_tracy@icloud.com
WORSHIP LEADERS- AARON TRACY & RANDI YEAROUT
When we launched Valley Church in 2020, we prayed for a Spirit-filled worship leaders that were "as excited about what we are doing as we are." God answered this prayer. Aaron, Matt, Randi, Kevin and Kris are family. We are blessed to have each one of them leading worship.
We hope you will join us this Sunday morning to experience this blessing firsthand!
Click here to view past worship services.