Elders

Bill Darnell

Tammy and I dated off and on through high school and after graduation we went our separate ways. She went to college and I went to work. We got together a couple of years later and realized we really loved each other. We married in 1979 and moved to Kingsport, TN. We were married ten years before we decided to start a family. Tammy already knew the importance of having God in your life, and she demonstrated Christianity in her everyday actions. God has truly blessed our lives with three wonderful children: Devin, Derek, and Alison. They are such an inspiration to us and we love to see their zeal to do God’s work. We moved from Valley Church of Christ to Northeast thirteen years ago primarily for the youth program. We became active immediately. I have served as a Deacon on the Brethren and Youth Ministries. Tammy and I coordinate our Lads to Leaders Program. Now as an elder, I feel it is an honor to serve the congregation in this capacity. I am committed to do the best I can to shepherd people along the way to mature in their Christian walk.

Prayer for the church: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

Frank Graves

Leslie and I are both native Mississippians. Leslie grew up in Starkville and I grew up in Brookhaven. We met at Mississippi State are we married in 1985 just before I graduated. I grew up in the church of Christ and was baptized in my youth. Leslie was baptized not long after we were married. We moved to Kingsport in January, 1986, and I have been working at Eastman Chemical Company since then. We have three adult children Daniel, Elizabeth, and Sarah and two grandchildren Sam and Abby, and another grandchild on the way. We love the congregation at Northeast and I am honored to serve as one of their elders.

Mark Mokry

I was born in Greeley, CO and am the seventh of ten children. Despite constantly moving all over the U.S. and having a wayward father; our conscience of God’s blessings, our mother and all the siblings pulling together kept our family intact. Although I met Karen my wife at an earlier age, we did not start dating until I saw her at the University of Memphis. I had always believed in Christ’s death and resurrection, but it was not until I started attending the Church of Christ with Karen and her family that I fully understood the greatness and simplicity of that gift; so I became a Christian. Karen and I have been married almost three decades and have three wonderful children; Cole, Tori and Ginger, who like for all parents keep one busy no matter how old they get. I have served as a deacon in our past congregations in Memphis, Las Vegas and here in Kingsport. It is a humbling honor to serve as an elder, and I ask for everyone’s continued prayers and support for all who serve in this role. With this I am reminded of 2nd Peter 1:5-9 that we all must strive to mature in our faith and love of God.

Matt Wimberley

I am originally from Paris, Tennessee, a small town near the Kentucky border. I attended college at David Lipscomb University, where I met my wife, Cecile, and graduated in 1999. After graduation, we both attended the University of Tennessee College of Law, graduating in 2002. In the summer of 2002, we took the bar exam, got married, and moved to Kingsport! We started attending Northeast Church of Christ that September. We have been blessed with two children, Michael and Matthew. Both Michael and I are Eagle Scouts and are waiting on Matthew to join the club. For the time that truly belongs to me, that goes to either the athletic programs at the University of Tennessee, the Atlanta Braves, or to the gold course. I am humbled and honored to serve the Northeast congregation as an Elder. I have grown up in the church and seen many great examples of what it means to serve faithfully in this role, and I am excited about the future here at Northeast Church of Christ. I know that God has great work to be done through us here! – 1 Cor 15:58

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

1 Timothy 5:17