OUR TEAM

The Gathering Church pastors, staff and Leadership Team work closely together to cultivate a community who loves people incredibly well as Jesus did.

PASTORS & STAFF

  • Curt Lowndes

    Lead Pastor

    Ask Me About: Preaching, Pastoral Care, Lunch Meetings, Appalachia, Bluey

    My wife, Jenny, a neonatal nurse, and I are both from small towns in Kentucky but call Durham home. You’ll find me supporting our incredible daughters on soccer fields and in Durham Public Schools. Our latest sabbatical adventure sums me up quite well: travel, national parks, friends, tasty food, sports, books, silent retreats, and roller coasters.

  • Elizabeth Swett

    Associate Pastor

    Ask Me About: Youth, Young(ish) Adults, Community Engagement, reading

    Originally I’m from Gainesville, Georgia, and now I live in Durham with my dog Delilah. I most often find God in the laughter and brave questions of teenagers, in hearing stories from folks in the community, and around the table at a potluck.

  • Evan Talbert Beane

    Associate Pastor

    Ask Me About: Kids, Home Groups, Communications, hot yoga

    I live in South Durham with my husband Nick and our dogs, Bella and Kabo. I believe imagination and creativity are powerful gifts from God, and I find joy in helping kids learn how to use their gifts to join in God’s Kingdom work here in the Triangle.

  • Charles Cleaver

    Audio/Visual Technician

    Ask Me About: livestream, old vinyl records, overlooked music history

    I am a musician and audio engineer who lives in Durham. I believe music is a gift that is best enjoyed when we share it with our community.

  • Emily Foster

    Church Administrator

    Ask Me About: Bookkeeping, Finances

  • Riley Taylor

    Worship Leader

    Ask Me About: Sunday AM worship, songwriting, farming, Jason Isbell

    I am from a small town in rural, upstate SC and recently graduated from Duke Divinity School. I love to play music with my band, Dog Named Squid, cheer on the Atlanta Braves, get my hands in the dirt, and read fiction.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Our Leadership Team (LT) is selected by congregational nomination and serves three year terms. Our current leadership team is Toogie Hampton (co-chair), Matt Walters (co-chair), Josh Kimbrough, Caitlyn Rogers, Megan Long, and Laura Yost-Grande.

In partnership with pastoral staff, the LT oversees the spiritual growth of The Gathering Church. They provide direction, focus, and resources to help the church and its members grow and share the good news of Jesus Christ. The LT promises to…

Be a model of spiritual life and health

Provide meaningful input for decisions that impact the current and future of our church

Invite all Gathering members (and beyond) to be a part of this journey