Dr. Bobby Blanton, Senior Pastor

Dr. Bobby Blanton became the senior pastor of Lake Norman Baptist Church in 1997. Prior to coming to LNBC, Dr. Blanton served as pastor of Macon Baptist Church in Macon, NC for 3.5 years, Midway Baptist Church in Pickens, SC for 3.5 years, and then Balfour Baptist Church in Asheboro, NC for 12 years.

Dr. Blanton is currently serving as the President of the N.C. Baptist Board of Directors. Additionally, he was recently elected to serve as the President of the 2011 N.C. Baptist Pastor's Conference.

Dr. Blanton was raised in Woodruff, SC, and graduated from Gardner Webb University, in Boiling Springs, NC. He received his Masters of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. He received his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Drew Theological Seminary in Madison , NJ.

Bobby and his wife, Debbie, have three grown children and one grandchild.

Landon Horton, Associate Pastor & Minister of Education

Associate Pastor Landon Horton was born in Fort Worth, Texas, but grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina, graduating from Northwestern High School in 1985. He completed his college degree at Furman University in 1989 and his seminary degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas in 1992.
 
As the son of a Baptist minister and of a mom who played the piano/organ at church, Landon was blessed to have grown up in a strong Christian home. At the age of seven, he committed his life to Jesus and was baptized. Sensing a call to full-time Christian service throughout his teenage years, it wasn’t until his senior year in college that he committed to that call.
 
Upon completion of seminary, he was called to serve First Baptist Church, Woodruff, South Carolina, as Minister of Youth/Education where he met and began dating his future wife. Six years later, in 1998, he committed to a call to serve as Associate Pastor at Lake Norman Baptist Church.
 
Landon is married to Starr, and they have two wonderful children, Abby and Landon, Jr.
 
Other than ministry, Landon enjoys time with his family, sports, reading, golf, and is an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys.

Gerald Vaughn, Director of Administration and Operations

Gerald Vaughn became LNBC’s full-time Director of Administration and Operations in December of 2006. Gerald has an extensive background in the business world, primarily in nuclear energy. Originally from Columbia, SC, Gerald obtained an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of South Carolina, a Senior Reactor Operators License from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and currently has a real estate license in North and South Carolina.

Gerald and his wife, Susie, have five children and four grandchildren. For recreation, Gerald enjoys playing golf.

Rev. Hal Brown, Minister of Pastorial Care

Rev. Hal Brown became LNBC’s Minister of Pastoral Care in August of 2006 and was ordained into ministry in June of 2007. After having worked for General Electric for 25 years, Hal served as Vice President and General Manager of Cole Electric Company in Atlanta, Regional Manager of Consolidated Electrical Supply in Miami, and Territory Manager of Tower Sales in Norcross, Georgia.

Hal was born in Charlotte and graduated from West Mecklenburg High School. While working for General Electric, Hal attended UNCC, William and Mary, and George Washington University. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Shirley, and they have two children and four grandchildren.

At LNBC, Hal has served as Adult Sunday School Director and Sunday School Teacher.

Bonnie Lancaster-Johnson, Music Director

Bonnie Lancaster-Johnson has been serving in music ministry for 21 years. Originally from Cadiz, Kentucky, she received her Bachelor of Music Education degree with applied vocal emphasis from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. Following graduation she worked professionally in musical theatre, performing lead roles including seasons in Nashville, Tennessee and Flat Rock Playhouse in North Carolina.

Following a call into the ministry, Bonnie attended Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where she received her Master of Church Music degree, also with vocal emphasis. After graduation she served nine years as Minister of Music at North Kannapolis Baptist Church outside of Charlotte and 2009 will mark her twelfth year in service to Lake Norman Baptist Church. Bonnie and her husband, Jimmie, reside in Belmont, North Carolina near Lake Wylie.

Brad Averette, Youth Pastor

Rev. Brad Averette became LNBC’s Youth Pastor in February, 2008. A native of Alabama, Brad received a Bachelors of Education in Social Sciences from Jacksonville State University and a Masters of Divinity in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Brad has served as a summer Youth Pastor at Oak Grove Baptist Church, Interim Youth Pastor at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Youth Pastor at Morgan City Baptist Church, and Youth Pastor at Liberty Baptist Church in Chelsea, Alabama. Brad was licensed into the ministry in 1996 and ordained into the ministry in 1999.
 
Brad and his wife, Stacy, have two children, Andrew and Kate, and are planning to soon expand the family through adoption from North Carolina’s Foster Child Network.

Tim Moody, Communications Director

Tim Moody became LNBC’s Communications Director in January of 2008, after having served for seven years as the church’s Youth Minister. Tim oversees the church’s internal and external communications and publicity, including media relations, bulletin, email blasts, signage, brochures, promotional materials, and more. He also works in conjunction with the Web Campus Team to help provide oversight of the church website. Tim received a B.S. degree in Communications/Media Advertising from Appalachian State University. Tim previously worked for twelve years as a Major Advertising Account Executive at The Charlotte Observer newspaper. Tim has two daughters, Rose and Julia.

Kristy Swartz, Financial Administrator

Kristy Swartz became LNBC’s Financial Administrator in July of 2008, having served in both the ministry and business worlds. She administers all accounting and financial functions of the church, including personnel-related matters. Since coming to LNBC, she has established internal accountability systems and financial policies and procedures.

Kristy graduated Summa Cum Laude from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. She holds a B.B.A in Accounting, a B.S. in Music and is a Certified Public Accountant. She and her husband, JT, have been married since March 2007 and are expecting twins in March of 2010. They also have 2 dogs. Kristy enjoys singing, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Sue Beard, Administrative Assistant

Sue Beard joined the LNBC staff in 2006 as Administrative Assistant. to the Senior Pastor. She has an extensive background and experience in the administrative field. Sue has been a proud resident of the Lake Norman area since the early 1970’s, and she and her husband, Rod, have been members of LNBC since 2002. They are both actively involved in the LNBC Music Ministry. They have four daughters and are the proud grandparents of two boys and one girl. They enjoy spending time with family and friends, singing, boating and being Carolina Panther fans!

Missy Cook, Administrative Assistant

Missy Cook performs all tasks and duties in the office ranging from maintaining the church database system with members, visitors, and guests, setting up for CARE, keeps the church facilities calendar, as well as all office duty tasks.  She has been at LNBC since July 2008. Missy is from St. Matthews, SC. She moved to the Huntersville area in 2007 with her husband, Bill Cook, and their sweet daughter, Carly.

Lynda McDaniel, part-time Receptionist

Lynda McDaniel is a part-time receptionist at LNBC. She began as a volunteer in the office in 2003 and eventually was added to the staff. In addition to answering the phone, she handles membership records and visitor records and keeps the database updated. She also does correspondence and other office duties.  She assists any staff member or committee member who needs help with projects.

Lynda volunteers on the Library Staff at the church. She is an avid reader, enjoys gardening, and her greatest passion is her grandchildren. She lives in Cornelius with her husband, Doug, and dog, Sammy.

Sheri Faulk, part-time Technology Director

Sheri Faulk is the part-time Technology Director for LNBC. She is responsible for the computers, server, software, hardware, and telephones. Sheri has a B.S. in Business from UNCC, with an emphasis in Information Systems. She has worked for Microsoft, First Union (now Wachovia), Anixter Corporation, 3Com and Nortel Networks. Sheri has a wide range of experience from computer support to designing and installing computer and industrial network systems. She has a heart for helping others with computer and network needs. Sheri and her husband, Faron, live in Cornelius with their two kids, Sarah and Alex. They have been members of LNBC since 2005.

Dawn Linebarrier, Music Director Assistant

Dawn Linebarrier came to Lake Norman Baptist with her husband Gary in February 2001. In the fall of 2002, she began working as a Music Assistant to Bonnie Johnson. Dawn carries out administrative duties, in addition to directing the Orchestra, Handbell Ensemble, and Grades 4-6 Children's Choir. She plays synthesizer in the Family Life Center Praise Band and clarinet in the Orchestra.

Dawn graduated from Appalachian State University in May 2000 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education. She taught music in the public schools until the time she and her husband welcomed their first child. In addition to her work at Lake Norman Baptist, Dawn also teaches private music lessons and homeschools her two children, Noah and Lydia. Dawn, Gary, and their children reside in Mooresville.

Wendy Roland, Preschool Director

Wendy Roland became LNBC’s Preschool Director in 2008, after having served as a teacher in the preschool since 2001. Wendy has worked in children’s ministry since she was a teenager and has always felt God leading her in that ministry. She has a B.A. in Biology from UNC-Greensboro. Her focus was research, but she also studied Child Development.

Wendy helped develop the Children’s Church program in 1998, has served as VBS Director and Worship Rally Leader since 1998, and has also served on many youth mission trips. Wendy and her husband, Eddie L. Roland, have three kids - Jacob, Drew, and Rebeccah. The Roland family has lived in Virginia, Ohio, and North Carolina.

Phyllis Gordon, Minister to Children

Phyllis became LNBC’s Minister to Children in August 2004.  Before serving at LNBC, she served as part-time Minister to Children at Denver Baptist Church in Denver, NC from 1995 to 2000, and from 2001 to 2004.  Phyllis grew up in Charlotte, NC and graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1987.  She then went on to complete the Age Group Ministry Certification for Preschool and Children through Campbell University Divinity School and the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina in 2002.

Phyllis and her husband, Doug, have 3 children:  Bobbie Ann, Brittany, and Megan and a chocolate lab named Hershey.  Doug is also going into the ministry and is now completing his degree in Religion and Christian Counseling through Liberty University.  Phyllis enjoys photography, sports, and cake decorating.

Jennifer Kayser has been LNBC’s Nursery Coordinator since June of 2007 and a member of LNBC since January of 2007.  She and her family moved to Cornelius in May of 2006 from Portland, Oregon, and before that lived in Denver, Colorado.

She has enjoyed being a member of a wide spectrum of churches because of the relocations, and therefore has a great perspective of the various church sizes, demographics, etc. which is helpful in coordinating an ever-changing nursery program. 

Jennifer accepted Christ at age 8 and has worked with young children in church and school since she was in 7^th grade. Jennifer has a BA in English and Elementary Education and is the mother of 5. She is the very blessed wife of Shad.