meet the Team
Stokes Collins
Executive Pastor of Church Network
I have been married to Beth for almost 25 years. We have two adult daughters.
Favorite quote: “I don’t have to be right, but ‘it’ does. ‘It’ refers to whatever vision, project, or task a team is working on. It is less about me and more about the vision.”
Gayland Lawshe
Church Network Pastor
I have been married to Susan since 1969. We have 2 married sons and 6 grandchildren.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is: “Never give up.”
Mallory Bassham
Church Network Pastor
I have been married to Boyd since 1982. We have 4 married sons, 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is: “Wherever you are, be there.”
David Vestal
Church Network Pastor
I have been married to Dana since 1986. We have 3 grown children, a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law and a grandson.
Best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is: “Time will tell.”
EDDIE FREEMAN
Church Network Pastor
I have been married to Jessica since 1995. We have three children and two grandchildren.
Best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is: “Marriage is not 50/50, it’s 100%. Give all the time. If we truly believe in the laws of ‘sowing & reaping’ if I sow 100% then I will reap 100% (even when I don’t deserve it).”
Richard Hinojosa
Church Network Pastor
I have been married to Sandra since 1981. We have one daughter, two sons, and 8 grandchildren.
Best piece of advise: Always remember that you are just one beggar telling another beggar where the bread is, His name is Jesus and we all need him.
Tommy Briggs Sr.
Church Network Care Pastor
I am widowed with 8 grandchildren; all are married except two grandsons, and 1 great grandchild.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is: “Make your relationship with God as Father your 1st priority.”
Kathy Hise
Church Network Coordinator
I have been married to Cary since 1986. We have two 2 fur babies, KJ and Jaxi.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is: “To know and not do is not to know.”
Amy Warren
Church Network Coordinator
I have been married to Ryan since 2008. We have 3 amazing children.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is: Everyone can teach you something.
OUR MISSION
_________
“To help churches govern themselves in a healthy way by providing relational connection, leadership development, organizational and ministry consulting, and advanced training for the fulfillment of the Great Commission.”
Church Network Beliefs
- We affirm the autonomy of each local church for ministry vision, governance, and oversight.
- We affirm the New Testament model of apostolic and prophetic ministry for the support and work of the local church.
- We will work to support and develop apostolic covering and prophetic expression within each Network church.
- We affirm that the relationship with each church is established through the senior pastor.
- If we have connection with the congregation, it will be because the senior pastor has opened the door for the relationship by introducing us.
- If we have connection with the staff and elders, it will be because the senior pastor opens the door for the relationship by using our services to grow his staff and organization.
Events
Learning Communities
Learning Communities are gatherings for lead teams to collaborate on strategic initiatives in order to prioritize work around appropriate systems and timelines. These communities are great places for teams to share best practices so that we all can improve our service to God and to His people.
Roundtables
Roundtables are events where each participant is provided an opportunity to share their greatest challenge in ministry. A gathering of peers offer their experiences, insights, and perspectives so that solutions are more easily seen and understood.
Gateway Conference
Gateway Conference is a 3-day event that provides a time of powerful worship and ministry where pastors can receive and hear God, be refreshed, and network with other attendees and Gateway staff.