leadership
Cole Huffman
Senior Pastor
Cole returned to Nashville, where he began in ministry, after pastoring in Memphis for many years. He is married to Lynn, dad to two sons and three daughters, and “Pops” to three grandsons. If only he had a dollar for every time someone said, “You’re tall!” He was educated at the University of North Alabama, Dallas Theological Seminary, and Beeson Divinity School at Samford University. Cole has been a church planter, an adjunct seminary professor, and is the author of He Made the Stars Also. He reads widely, runs slowly, and loves smoothies.
Trey Powell
Executive Pastor
Trey is an Alabama native who was born in Tuscaloosa, but spent most of his life in Birmingham, AL. He attended the University of Alabama and graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering. After finishing his undergraduate degree, Trey stayed in Tuscaloosa working as an associate college minister while earning his Master of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, AL. Trey and his wife Carly have lived in Nashville since August of 2018 and are excited to now call Tennessee home. In his spare time, Trey enjoys hiking, exploring new places, and watching college football.
Tanner Heath
Discipleship Pastor
Tanner is a Middle Tennessee native, but returns to Nashville after traveling the globe. He previously served as a pastor and church planting team member in Portland, OR, which was followed by some time in West Africa. He is always up for an adventure and time with people. Tanner earned degrees in Communications and Biblical Studies from Carson-Newman University and an M.A. in Global Leadership from Western Seminary. He loves most any sport, time outside in the mountains, and is a self-proclaimed film and food critic.
Sally Schroeder
Gospel Kids Director
Sally is originally from Vail, Colorado and moved to Nashville after graduating from Colorado State University. Her love for children came from helping to start and run a preschool during COVID. She has worked with all ages of kids and loves watching children be unapologetically themselves. Sally loves to be outside skiing, boating, playing pickle-ball, and camping.
Brittney Daves
Worship Team Coordinator
Brittney moved to Nashville in 2016 after she heard God calling her from her hometown of Lake Stevens Washington.
Ever since she was little growing up in church, she knew she wanted to be involved in ministry and music.
After earning her Bachelors of Music in songwriting from Lipscomb University, Brittney found herself at The Gospel Church and fell in love with the worship team.
Brittney loves spending time with her husband Zach, her friends and family, songwriting, Harry Potter, and traveling.
Stephen Mitchell
College and Young Adults Ministry Intern
Stephen is from Columbia, Maryland and came to Nashville to get a degree from Lipscomb University. While in college, the Lord brought Stephen to The Gospel Church where he began to serve with the church through guest services and VBS. His passion and excitement to serve the church and help students grow led him to begin serving as Student Ministry Intern. Stephen loves climbing, hiking, volleyball and movies.
Ella Martin
Middle School Ministry Intern
Ella is originally from New Hampshire, and then moved to Nashville to pursue a ballet career at Nashville Ballet. She was blessed to dance for a year there until the Lord stirred in her heart a much deeper love and passion for youth ministry! She loves youth and their childlike faith and joy in the Lord. Ella finds it a blessing to connect with the youth on a deeper level and explore God’s love with them! In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, running, journaling, and spending time with her family and friends.
elders
Drake Stahr
Drake grew up in Mayfield, Kentucky and attended college at Murray State University, majoring in Marketing. Having worked in the automotive business for many years, his job lead him to Nashville in 2018. Shortly after the move Drake began attending The Gospel Church, where he met his wife, Sarah!
Drake and Sarah live in the White Bridge neighborhood. A former high school football coach, Drake loves the Titans and Kentucky Wildcats. He and Sarah love traveling and trying new restaurants in Nashville.
Matt Andreatta
Matt originally studied biotechnology and focused on plant genetics and fermentation sciences, which led to studying winemaking around the world. He got his masters in molecular biology and his PhD in genetics from Purdue University. (But the SEC is definitely a more fun environment, he admits).
“I was brought to Christ from three people in my life: My grandmother who taught me about the Lord. My wife who led me to church. And my brother, Donovan Jordan, who poured into me over years of discipleship and guidance. Truly, through these three leading me, I found what was needed to humble myself and realize what it meant to have faith in the Lord and to let his Spirit guide me. I have been given good soil and want to help others find the same. Mark 4:3-9 has continued to be a guide for me in this purpose.”
Will Pierce
Will grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. He completed his undergraduate studies at Auburn University and his graduate studies at the University of Miami. The Lord led Will and his family to Nashville and the Gospel Church in 2019. He lives with his wife Jackie, son Charlie, and daughter Mia in Belmont-Hillsboro. Will works in real estate finance and enjoys exploring cities, playing yard games, and meeting new people.
David Gensheimer
David grew up and went to school in Texas. He moved to Nashville in 2008 to dance with the Nashville Ballet. David also was a business owner for 10 years, but then God called him into law enforcement. He loves his job and being able to help the least of these. David started attending The Gospel Church in 2008 and has been a member ever since. He has an amazing wife, Colleen, who is a DPT in pelvic health. They live on a few acres outside the city with their German Shepard, Stella. David is a man of many interests, if you enjoy it, he probably does as well.
You can reach out to our elders for more information by sending an email to elders@thegospelchurch.com.