Our Leadership
Pastoral Staff
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.
Josh Settles, Associate Pastor
Josh and Melissa Settles desire to see their lives and the lives of others fulfilling their destiny as God’s sons and daughters. They balance their passionate pursue of His presence with practical ministry. More than anything, Josh and Melissa long to be in God’s presence and to hear from heaven. The H2O Student Ministry desires to seek Jesus, offer talents, and expand the Kingdom of God. In the time they have spent at Living Waters Church, their faith has grown tremendously. They believe that now is the time for a generation (from young to old) to rise up as a mighty army declaring God’s goodness and demonstrating His love. To cultivate an environment that fosters spiritual growth requires fervent worship, study of His word, and developing community.
Josh is a graduate of Louisville Bible College where he majored in Biblical Studies. He plans to continue his education in the future. Melissa is finishing her master’s degree in Secondary Counseling at Eastern Kentucky University. She is currently a guidance counselor at Martha Layne Collins High School. Their partnership in ministry is seen as they co-lead the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Collins High School. They are very excited for what God has in store for their family in the upcoming year. Their son, Connor, will be four in March. He is a fireball of energy and charisma, which the Lord is sure to use and mold into His purposes and for the kingdom of God.
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. Their daughter, Lindsey, is a PA student at Drexel University and son Chase, serves in the US Air Force stationed in Wyoming.
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.