Church Leadership

Elders

Keith Franklin

Elder

Keith Franklin is the Elder focused primarily on Benevolence and Involvement.

He is a native of Gary, In. and a graduate of South Carolina State University (1977) where he obtained a B.S. degree in Music Education. He owned his own Insurance Agency in Charlotte, NC for 35 years before retiring in 2015, to begin serving the church and congregational needs full time.

Keith was added to the church in Augusta GA. at the Florence St COC in 1979 at the age of 24 and then moved to Charlotte, NC in 1980. While living in Charlotte he was appointed an Elder at the Archdale COC in Charlotte prior to Gold Hill Rd as well as helping to establish another congregation in Charlotte, NC.

Keith and his wife Rhunette have been married going on 40 years and have 3 children (Shanna, Marja and Alex) who all members of the body of Christ. They have 6 grandchildren.

Tommie Washington

Elder

Tommie Washington is the Elder focused primarily on Evangelism & Technology.

As an Army Brat, Tommie traveled extensively growing up, but spent most of childhood in Southern New Jersey and Germany. He obeyed the gospel 1990 at the Northeast Philadelphia church of Christ, where he was a volunteer Youth Leader, Teacher, Song Leader and Preacher. Tommie has served as a Deacon, and now an Elder at the Gold Hill Road church of Christ. He has a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and a Master’s Degree in Motion Media.

Tommie and his wife Leila have two children, Aaron and Ethan. Aaron and his wife Rebecca are graduates of Freed-Hardeman University. Ethan is currently pursuing a degree in Communications at FHU.

Mark Inness

Elder

Mark Inness is the Elder focused primarily on Finance.

He grew up in the Church in Northeast Arkansas. He attended Crowley’s Ridge Academy, A small Christian School in Paragould Arkansas and later graduated from Harding University, with a degree in Business Administration. Mark and his family moved to South Carolina from Arlington, Texas where they were active in the Pleasant Ridge Church of Christ. There Mark served as a Deacon, a teacher and a Care Group Leader.

Mark and his wife Paula(P.J.) have 3 children, Tyler, Connor and Catherine. In his spare time Mark enjoys golf, softball, and spending time with his family.

William Ireland

Elder

William Ireland is the Elder focused primarily on Youth and Technology.

Hampton Hager

Elder

Hampton Hager is the Elder focused primarily on Education.

Gilbert Shelton

Elder

Gilbert Shelton is the Elder focused primarily on Local Evangelism and Foreign/Domestic Missions.

He grew up in Surry County, NC where the family were egg producers (poultry). Gilbert graduated from North Carolina State University in 1979 and has an MBA from Queens University. He worked in Manufacturing for 31 years and then 12 years in corporate Banking before retiring in mid-2022.

Gilbert joined the church in 1979 while a senior in college. Over the years, he and his family have been able to be a part of several congregations in the Carolinas. He has been a deacon at two congregations and is now an Elder at the Gold Hill Congregation.

Gilbert and wife Sue, have been married for over 41 years. They have three children; Andrea, Andy and Allyson, as well as seven grandchildren. Gilbert enjoys their grandchildren, photography, all things NC State and their Border Collie, Cooper.

Pulpit Minister

Keaton Pearce

Pulpit Minister

“Keaton is a native of Danville, Kentucky and has served as our pulpit minister since May of 2022.

Keaton graduated from the University of Kentucky for his undergraduate degree and went on to receive his Masters of Ministry from Faulkner University. He is the author of I am a Christian…Now What: An Everyday Manual For Living A Christ Filled Life.

Keaton married the love of his life, Kyla. Together they have 1 year old twins. A son, Boone and a daughter, Brooklyn.

If you want his undivided attention, you can ask him about the Kentucky Wildcats, woodworking, or his home away from home, Palmetto Bible Camp.”