Pete Tackett, Pastor
Pastor Pete is a native of northwest Tennessee but lived in the Tri-cities for 17 year before moving to the Nashville area in 2000. He has been in ministry for 27+ years as youth minister, connections pastor, co-pastor, and senior pastor. He and his wife, Lori, after a year away from vocational ministry that he describes as his personal half-time, returned to Antioch and Johnson City to assist the church in a season of transition. In March of 2012, He and the church sensed the call of God for them to put down roots here and lead the church long term.You can see more about his journey at www.petetackett.com.
His primary role in addition to teaching and leading, is to help the church make the necessary changes to remain a viable, Kingdom-driven congregation into the next generation. He and Lori have two adult children, Sarah Gwen and Jonathan.
Brandon Burleson, Youth Director
Brandon Burleson has been our Youth Director since January 1, 2008. Brandon and his wife Crystal have been members at Antioch since 2004. They started out by helping in the AWANA program, our children’s ministry. After a couple of years, he was drawn to the youth program and started helping there. Brandon loves to play golf, spend time with his family, and hang out with the youth. In his own words, Brandon says “The Lord changed my life after many years of struggling after my parents’ divorce. He has given me a heart for young people, and continues to bless me and my family more and more every day.”
Brandon and his wife Crystal live in Johnson City and have three beautiful little girls, Madison, Megan, and Catelyn. Brandon leads all aspects of our Student Ministry including “The Effect,” our Wednesday night youth worship service for students and our Sunday night service ministry that enables students to serve others through our partnerships with several area ministries.
Lewy Cornett, Worship Leader
Lewy Cornett came aboard in May, 2011, to assist the pastor in coordinating our weekly worship times and to build a network of musicians, tech people, and vocalists to facilitate worship. Lewy was born in Statesville, NC and moved to Tennessee when he was very young. He accepted Christ at age 19. Lewy married April Harkey in summer of 1999 and they have two daughters Hannah and Emma. Lewy has been in ministry since 1998 when he was ordained and has served as a Youth Pastor, Associate Pastor, and Worship Leader in area churches. His primary roles have been in Youth Ministry and music. He has also traveled to conduct and lead retreats, camps and revivals.
Lewy loves to spend time with his family as well as cook and play his guitar. Music is a big part of his life because it “stops the busyness of the world and allows focus on God”. Lewy has a Kingdom approach to ministry in an effort to include the whole Body of Christ in bringing glory to God.
Lisa Pharris, Ministry Assistant
Ministry Assistant: It’s not just a job, it’s a calling. Lisa has been a church secretary ever since she was in high school. She earned the Ministry Assistant Certification from the Tennessee Baptist Convention shortly after being hired at Antioch in April 2001.
Andy, Shea, Candace, Lisa & Bruce
She and Bruce have raised 2 children, Andy & Candace. Andy is married to Shea, and they have 2 daughters, Hailey & Kaitlyn. Lisa enjoys showing off pictures & scrapbooks of her family. She attends Trinity Baptist Church in Jonesborough, where she teaches in the youth department, and sings with the praise team and choir.Lisa gives oversight to the administration of the church and assists the pastors and ministry teams in carrying out their tasks. Hers will be the kind voice you hear on the phone when you call the church office.
Sammy Combs – Building and Grounds Guru
Sammy is our longest-tenured staff member, having begun in August 0f 1991. He has been married to Kay for 32+ years and they have a son, Bryan, and a six-year-old Jack Russell Terrier named Rusty. Sammy and Kay are members of Trinity Baptist Church. Sammy likes golfing, target shooting, golfing, fishing, golfing, boating, and golfing. Did we mention he plays golf?
Sammy and his wife, Kay, and son, Brian
His spiritual gift is evangelism and he utilizes it often to share with others what God has done for him. His favorite preachers are Johnny Hunt and Tony Evans. In addition to his work at Antioch, he works with the Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of Johnson City as a driver and adopted grandpa, teaching golf in their summer program.
Sammy is the one who is responsible for keeping the building and grounds looking neat and setting up for special events you may attend at Antioch.
