Meet Our Staff

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 School in Madison, NJ.

Bobby and his wife, Debbie, have three grown children and three grandchildren.

Email: bobby@lakenormanbaptist.com

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.

Email: landon@lakenormanbaptist.com

Rev. Hal Brown, Minister of Pastoral Care

Rev. Hal Brown surrendered to God’s call on his life in August 2006 and joined the staff of LNBC. Along with various pastoral duties, Hal leads in the Pastoral Care Ministry, Missions, Senior Adults, and Counseling.

Hal is a graduate of West Mecklenburgh High School and later attended UNC Charlotte, William and Mary, and George Washington University.
He is married to his high school sweetheart, Shirley. They have been married 57 years and have two children and four grandchildren.

Email: hal@lakenormanbaptist.com

Rev. Matt Hearn, Minister of Youth

Youth Pastor Matt Hearn has been working with the student ministry at LNBC for over 4 years, but was called by God into full-time ministry 3 years ago. He has a Master of Arts in Religion from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and has been the youth pastor of LNBC since March 2011.

Matt didn’t have a relationship with Christ until he was saved at the age of 23. His passion is serving the Lord by motivating and equipping students to not make the same mistakes he did and to surrender their lives to Christ. Matt also serves as the Chapel campus pastor and helps plan and organize the worship service in the chapel each Sunday at 9:45.

Matt is married to his amazing wife Ashley, who is also a big part of the youth ministry. They are the parents of two beautiful children, Grace and Jackson.

Email: matt@lakenormanbaptist.com

Rev. William Beck, Worship Pastor

William received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Piedmont Bible College in Winston Salem, North Carolina, majoring in Voice and Bible with a Minor in Piano. William has been actively involved in Baptist work on the State Convention and Association levels for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Oklahoma, and has lived in each of these states as well.

William and his wife, the former Leslie Van Allen of Charlotte, North Carolina have 3 children: son Caleb and wife Lauren, daughter Katie and husband, Stephen, and youngest daughter, Kayce.

Email: william@lakenormanbaptist.com