Our Leadership

Pastoral Staff

Joel and Carol League

Pastor Joel League, Senior Pastor

Pastor Joel has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arkansas Tech University and a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. Joel pastored United Methodist Churches in Arkansas and Kentucky from 1973 to 1981. In 1981, he founded Living Waters Church and has been the Senior Pastor from the church’s inception.

Joel is originally from Carlsbad, New Mexico. In 1965, he married Carol Gleason League and they have two children, Delisa League Riley, Joel (Jody) League, Jr. Delisa and her husband, Stephen, have four children – Paul, Daniel, Michael and Jana Riley. Jody and his wife, Becky, have three children – Jessica, Cristina, and Elijah League.

Philip Whitehead, Pastor of Worship and Small Groups

Philip has a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Carson Newman College and a Master’s of Church Music from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Philip served as Minister of Music at Farmdale Baptist Church, Eastern Parkway Baptist Church and Hurstbourne Baptist Church – all in Louisville, Kentucky. He has also served the East Maryville Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee and the First Baptist Church of Friendsville, TN. Philip joined the Living Waters staff on July 8, 1990.

Philip is originally from Maryville, Tennessee. He married Susan Adler Whitehead from Pleasureville, Kentucky. Philip and Susan have two sons: Stephen and Paul. Stephen is a graduate in theology from Lee University in Cleveland TN and works as a District Executive with Boy Scouts of America. His wife, Casey (Winters) is a nurse and they have two sons, Benjamin and Nathaniel; Paul has a Bachelor’s Degree in vocal performance from Lee University and a Master’s Degree from Appalachian State University.

Marti Brown, Children’s Minister

Marti graduated from the Art Academy of Cincinnati in 1974 as a graphic design and photography major. She did her graduate work at the University of Cincinnati in Art Education. Marti taught in the Bardstown Public School System for 5 years then stayed at home with her children until her son was in kindergarten. She then taught at Living Waters Christian School – two years in the elementary school and two years in the high school.

Marti and her family have been a part of the Living Waters family since 1994. It wasn’t long after visiting Living Waters that they knew that God had called them to this place.

Marti is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. She is married to Randy Brown, a medical tech with Max Care of Shelbyville. Randy and Marti are the parents of Vivian Brown Cox, a wonderful homemaker to her husband Jesse and two children, Judah Alexander and Keegan; daughter, Lindsey, a Physician’s Assistant for the U.S. Air Force stationed at Andrews outside of Washington DC. She is married to 2nd Lt. Tony Leibig, an officer in the Army; and son, Chase, in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Jeremy Cloninger, Youth Minister

Jeremy grew up in a pastor’s home and has always had a heart for God. As a preacher’s kid, he grew up seeing the lost saved, broken hearts healed and God’s healing power manifested in people’s lives. He was a part of the mighty move of God that swept through Living Waters in the 1990′s and from that time has been on a passionate pursuit of the heart of God. He has been in youth ministry and has led worship at churches and conferences for over twenty years all over the region. Jeremy is impassioned about seeing a generation awaken to their inheritance as sons and daughters of God.

Katie was also raised in a Christian home as one of nine children. She takes great joy in showing hospitality every chance she gets. She is also quite famous for her love of cooking and finding healthy alternatives for daily living. She has completed two half-marathons and is currently training for two full marathons, one of which is the Chicago Marathon. She currently oversees the fellowship dinners that are periodically held at Living Waters.

Together, Katie and Jeremy are raising two amazing sons…Matthew, 15, and Jonah, 13… and find great joy in parenting. They are focused on raising their boys to love God, to love people and to impact hearts everywhere they go.

Support Staff

Karen Carpenter, Church Administrator

Karen graduated from Kentucky State University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Karen came on staff May 8, 2000. Karen has been married to Don Carpenter for 41 years. They have two sons (Chip and Gabe), three grandchildren (Christian, Adrianna, and Reuben), and a daughter-in-law (Felicia). Karen was saved at age 11, but really allowed Jesus to be Lord of her life at age 34. She and Don began attending LWC in 1985 after the Lord introduced the baptism in the Holy Spirit to their family. This changed their lives, saved their marriage, and healed their broken relationships. Karen went on a mission trip in 1987 to the Philippines, Hong Kong, and China (where they took Bibles in), helped build a church in Haiti in 1988, and went to India in 2007 wth a mission team from LWC. She has been to Israel four times and Don has been three times. “I love the Lord and owe everything to Him.”

Nina Hinkle, Church Secretary/Receptionist

Nina is vital to the staff of Living Waters Church. Her many gifts and excellent computer skills make the Pastors and staff members look good.

Nina has two sons, John and Joseph. Nina worked for the Commonwealth of KY as a branch secretary and an administrative assistant before coming to work at the church. She officially started working for Living Waters Church in July, 1997.

“It is my honor and deep pleasure to be here serving the Lord and this congregation. Hopefully I will remain here, unless the Lord calls me to go elsewhere.”

Congregational Elder

Larry Southard

Larry is retired after a 32-year career in state government, where he worked the final 22 years in tourism and travel research. He and his wife, Elisabeth, serve as leaders of an Oasis Home Group and participate in the Father’s Love Ministry. Larry had served 12 years in the Office of Deacon, the final six years as Chairman of the Board of Elders and Deacons, prior to being ordained as Congregational Elder in April 2011.

Deacons

Donny Carpenter

Donny is currently retired. He and his wife, Karen, have two children (Chip and Gabe), a daughter-in-law (Felicia), and three grandchildren (Christian, Adrianna, and Reuben). Donny is vice chairman on the Deacon Board, he is an Oasis Home Group leader, serves on fundraising committe and serves as assistant leader of the Doorkeepers.

Bob Dyer

Bob Dyer is the owner of Architectural Paving Concepts.
Bob and his wife Sharon have two children, Cameron and Mikayela.

Jody League

Jody League serves as the Director of Corporate Education for ZirMed in Louisville. He and his wife, Becky, have three children (Jessica, Cristina and Elijah). Jody and Becky are leaders of an Oasis group in the Shelbyville area.

Vernon Magness

Vernon is retired from the State Government in Transportation Security. He and his wife, Linda, have three children and 4 grandchildren. Vernon is an intercessor and is also much involved with the men’s ministry of the church.

Matt Maxwell

Matt is a Secondary Math teacher at Cornerstone Christian Academy. He has been working for the school, in different capacities, for 18 years. Matt and his beautiful wife, Betsy, have two wonderful children (Zoe Grace and Noah James). Matt also serves on the church Finance Committee.

Gary O’Nan

Gary retired from Ford Motor Company after 31 years of service and now works for the US Army Corps of Engineers. He and his wife, Donna, have three children (Leigh Anne Jessee, Andrea Schank, and Alex O’Nan) and six grandchildren. Gary serves on the Personnel Committee.

Darrell Tracy

Darrell is a professional engineer. Darrell and his wife, Carole, have five children (Tammy Baker, Brandon Ross, Bethany Tracy, Justin Ross, and Scott Tracy) and eight grandchildren. Darrell serves on the Foreign Missions Committee.