Our Staff
The Rev. Chris Webb
Pastor Chris Webb grew up in Tampa, Florida as a pastor’s kid and spent his summers hiking the mountains of NC and having fun at Myrtle Beach. He attended and graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne college with BA in Communication. While attending LR, Pastor Webb sang in the A Cappella choir, acted in the LR Playmakers, enjoyed being Joe Bear and a cheerleader, and served as the student body president.
He met his lovely wife Janine at Camp Lutheridge where they both served as counselors and area directors. They were married at The Lutheran Church of the Nativity in Arden, NC. They are the proud parents of two children, Andrew and Katherine. Andrew is graduating from Valparaiso University in May and turns 22 in June. Katherine just finished her freshman year at Appalachian State University and is 19 years old.
Pastor Webb earned his Master of Divinity at the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. He was a prison chaplain for one summer, began his ministry in Gainesville, FL, and served as the Chairman of the ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod Youth Committee for 5 years. Pastor Webb has served as the campus pastor of the Lenoir-Rhyne Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville for 6 years and also serves as a Chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserves.
In addition to parish ministry, Pastor Webb enjoys vegetable gardening, fishing, hiking, Red Sox baseball and rooting for the Florida Gators during football and basketball season. Pastor Webb enjoys meeting new people and hearing their amazing life stories. He loves to preach, teach, and dream up creative ideas for ministry. His is passionate about making disciples, ecumenical partnerships, strategic planning, and working together for positive change in our community.
Assistant to the Pastor
The Rev. Kate Crecelius
Pastor Kate serves part time to help with visitations to hospitalized and homebound persons, calls to prospective members, special communion occasions and similar pastoral duties.
She received her Master of Divinity in 2009 from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, OH. She is relatively new to Hickory and after all these years have finally found where I was meant to be all along. She has two grown daughters who live in Cincinnati and Chicago, and two dogs, Deacon and Usher. Free time is spent with friends and in her studio where she explores her faith and God’s love for creation through textiles and mixed media.
Youth & Family MInistry
Van began his work at Holy Trinity in 2014, after being on staff at Lutheridge and Lutherock for more than two decades. He's been struck by lightning twice and had a cameo in a George Clooney movie.
Music Ministry
Karen joined the staff of Holy Trinity in 2016 after many years of serving as a volunteer. She has taught music in elementary, middle school, high school, and college.
Instrumental Music
Jo Carol began directing several handbell choirs at Holy Trinity in 1990 as a volunteer, and in 1997 she joined the church staff as director of all handbell choirs. She oversees music ministry and participates actively in worship planning.
Organist
David Lail
David has been organist at Holy Trinity since 1994. He plays for both Sunday morning worship services, funerals, and all special services. Additionally, he directs the Chapel Choir and Luther Choir.
Parish Administrative Assistant
Karen has been with Holy Trinity since April 1991. In addition to serving as administrative assistant, she also serves as wedding coordinator and is in charge of keeping membership records.
Communications & NewSong
Emily has been serving Holy Trinity since 2008. She serves as both Communications Secretary and NewSong Worship Curator and Lead Musician. She coordinates all of Holy Trinity's communications, leads the NewSong Worship Team, and develops unique worship services for Holy Trinity’s 5:00 p.m. service.
Financial Administrator
Denise began her work as our Financial Administrator in March 2015. Denise brings a wealth of financial administration experience after 22 years at The Catawba Women’s Center.
Pre-School Directors
Kristy and Lori have been teachers with the Holy Trinity Pre-School since 2008 and 2007 respectively. They stepped into the role of co-directors for the program in 2017.
Nursery
Melinda Hager
Melinda oversees the nursery staff and ensures coverage of the nursery
for church services and special events.
Custodian
Wayne Mitchell
Wayne is in charge of keeping church buildings clean and trash picked up, cleaning sidewalks, overseeing repair work, and setting up for special events. He has been at Holy Trinity since 2000, following 29 years as a truck driver.
Church Hostess
Nancy Wilfong
Since 1996, Nancy has been in charge of coordinating floral arrangements, table cloths, color schemes, decorations, serving pieces and utensils, food, and table set-up for receptions, social functions, and numerous church activities and meetings.
Wednesday Church Night
Steve Spivey
Steve joined the Holy Trinity staff in January 2019. He was born in London, Kentucky, but grew up in Lexington. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Design. He has served in the food service ministry for nearly 20 years.