Larry and LaVonna Cockerham - Pastors

Larry and LaVonna Cockerham founded Living Word Church in 1986. They have planted churches in Nepal, Ukraine and Mexico as well as in America, with ongoing ministries in several other nations as well. They are affiliated with Evangel Fellowship International under Bishop Houston Miles. A growing number of ministers look to Larry and LaVonna as their spiritual mentors and apostolic covering.

Larry received his Bachelors Degree from Wake Forest University and M.S. and PhD. Degrees from North Carolina State University. His passion is to help people to live from their hearts, expressing their gifts in winning the lost and nurturing the body of Christ.

LaVonna received the Bachelors Degree from Lee University and has done graduate work in Bible and counseling. Her primary gifts are expressed in teaching, counseling and prayer. She has an effective ministry to women, couples and families. Larry and LaVonna are an effective husband and wife ministry team. The heart of their message and ministry is knowing God intimately, worshiping Him freely and obeying Him completely.

Lewis McNeely - Administrative Pastor

Lewis & Kim were married in 1995 and have one son named Austin and two girls named Isabella and Paige. Their heart is to teach the world that God the Father is deeply in love with them.

Lewis, at age 18, gave his life to Jesus. He'd been engulfed in drugs and alcohol and lived in violence  but was dramatically set free. He moved to Cleveland, TN in 1985 to attend bible school then began traveling with the Christian acting ministry, The New Life Drama Company from 1986 to 1988. Ten years later in 1998, He began working as Larry Cockerham's ministry assistant and now serves as an assistant pastor at Living Word Church.

Kim gave her heart to Jesus in 1980 after attending a youth group meeting at her Methodist church in Fort Oglethorpe Ga. In 1984 Kim was baptized with the Holy Spirit and begin to have a more Christ filled walk. Kim is a homeschool teacher with Gateway Christian Schools.

Bob and Jenn Bevan - Youth Ministry

Bob and Jennifer came to Cleveland to attend Lee University in 1993. They began attending Living Word Church in 1994 and began leading worship for cell group meetings in 1995. They have 2 children, Brianna and Luke.

They graduated in 1997 with Jennifer receiving her BA degree in Psychology and Bob receiving his BA degree in Secondary English Education. They were married in May of 1997 and continued working with Living Word Church.

In 2000 they felt the call to step into the Youth Pastor position and have been leading the youth since that time. Bob and Jen also serve as worship leaders and in the International House of Prayer in Cleveland.

Jonnie and Tab Shumate - Children's Ministry

Jonnie and Tabitha were happily joined in marriage December 2001.  They graduated from Lee University in May 2004, Jonnie with a bachelor's degree in physical education and Tabitha a bachelor in psychology. Jonnie and Tabitha have three beautiful girls: Jade, Neenah and Esther.

Jonnie came to Living Word in 1997 and began serving in the ministry where needed. Jonnie served as the college pastor for 4 years and as mission's director for 2 years. Tabitha served in the college and career ministry as well. Jonnie and Tabitha have been filling the calling of children's pastors since 2005.  Both have a heart to raise up kids for the Lord. They hope to see children draw closer to Jesus while having lots of fun in the process.

Nancy Clark - Prayer Pastor

Nancy has had a heart for prayer since she became saved as a chil of 12.  She carries a burden for the singles and the families of Living Word. She has been overseeing prayer the last six years and rejoices at the great increase we are seeing at Living Word. We have grown to include 24/7 prayer with Josh Hood leading. Through Jonnie Shumate's leadership, morning prayer was added in 2008.

We join the nation the first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of each month for a 3 day time of fasting and prayer, connecting with the bridegroom prayer out of Kansas City.Tweleve months prayer for 3 days a week  adds up to 40 days of prayer and fasting for the year.

Elders

Jerry & Molly Allen
Rob and Mary Benton
Rob & LeAnne Charles
Kenny and Tonya Fletcher
Robert and Gladys Sampson