Pastors & Staff

Senior Pastor: Shawn S. Merithew, Ph.D.

Photo of Dr. Shawn Merithew Shawn was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, and surrendered to God’s call to ministry while in college in 1993. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida in the Fall of 1993, his Master of Divinity from Southern Seminary in 1997, and the Doctorate of Philosophy from Southern Seminary in 2003. Prior to coming to Morningview in 2006, Shawn served churches in Florida and Kentucky, and he also taught Expository Preaching at Southern Seminary. Shawn enjoys reading, fishing, sport-shooting, and time with his family. He is married to his high-school sweetheart, Lisa, and they have 5 children – Grace, John David, Josiah, Faith and Joy.

Shawn can be reached at shawn.merithew@morningview.org.

Pastor of Worship: David Hardgrave, M.Div.

Photo of David Hardgrave David was born in Jacksonville, Florida and raised in a military family. He graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Mobile in 1997, and the Master of Divinity degree in Church Music from Southern Seminary in 2001. He served three churches during his educational pursuits, both in Alabama and Kentucky, and he joined the Morningview staff in 2001. David enjoys reading, running, gardening and just about anything else that gets him outdoors and away from a desk. He and his wife, Angela, have three daughters – Sarah, Kathryn, and Lilly.

David can be reached at david.hardgrave@morningview.org.

Pastor of Discipleship: Tom Hicks, Ph.D.

Tom was born in Jackson, Mississippi and raised in a military family. His family moved to Montgomery, Alabama in 1991 and subsequently began attending Morningview Baptist Church. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Auburn University of Montgomery in 2000, the Master of Divinity Degree from Southern Seminary in 2004, and the Doctorate of Philosophy degree from Southern Seminary in 2009. Tom enjoys reading theology, hiking, and traveling. He and his wife, Joy, have two daughters – Sophie and Karlie.

Tom can be reached at tom.hicks@morningview.org.

Director of Children’s Ministries: Kem Holley

Photo of Kem Holley Kem is a native of Montgomery, Alabama and a member of Morningview since 1982. Kem is a dedicated mother that responded to the call to children’s ministry at Morningview in 1995. Children are a gift from God and Kem develops ministry at Morningview with that principle in mind. Kem places strong value on family and feels parents are the prime influence in their children’s lives. Kem enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, studying the Bible, and working outdoors. Kem is married to Trey and they have three adult children and four grandchildren.

She can be reached at kem.holley@morningview.org.

Pastor to Students: Randy Breedlove, M.Div.

Photo of Ed and Linda Wright Randy was born in Nagasaki, Japan and raised in a military family. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Florida State University in 1992 and a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Seminary in 1997. Randy joined Morningview’s staff in 2003 after serving as Minister to Students in Opp, Alabama for six years. He enjoys running, sports, and spending time with family. Randy and his wife, Missy, have four children – Cameron, Caroline, Claire and Carson.

He can be reached at randy.breedlove@morningview.org.

Directors of Senior Adult Ministries: Ed and Linda Wright

Photo of Ed and Linda Wright Ed is a native of Elmore county, Alabama and he attended the University of Tennessee and the FBI Academy. Linda was born and raised in Montgomery and she holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Auburn University at Montgomery. They both come from extensive careers in Law Enforcement and they assumed leadership over the Senior Adult Ministry early in 2007. They enjoy traveling and reading, and Ed avidly participates in Track and Field events.

Ed and Linda can be reached at linda.wright@morningview.org.

Director of Missions: Jonathan Oue, M.Div.

Photo of Jonathan Oue Jonathan was born in Kobe, Japan, and as a missionary kid has lived in several cities in Japan and the United States. He received an engineering degree from the University of Georgia and a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Seminary. He has served in a lay capacity in various churches in the area of teaching, missions, and as a musician. Professionally, Jonathan works in Research & Development in the automotive industry. He enjoys reading, football, music and blogging. Jonathan and his wife Brittany have three children, Benjamin, Jon, and Rachel.

Jonathan can be reached at missions@morningview.org.

Lay Pastor: Greg Graham

Greg was born in Fort Payne, Alabama, was adopted at three months and has lived in Montgomery all of his life. He has been a member of Morningview since 1990. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Troy State University Montgomery in 1996 and is currently enrolled in Birmingham Theological Siminary working on his Master of Divinity degree. Greg enjoys archery, fishing, and the outdoors in general. He and his wife Jennifer have three children – Andrew, Anna Grace, and Elijah.

Lay Pastor: Thomas Noland

Thomas Noland, familiarly known as “Bubber”, was raised in Montgomery and is a charter member of Morningview. He has an accounting degree from Auburn University and has been in business in Montgomery since graduation. He and his wife Dona married in 1960 and have two daughters and five grandchildren. They like to spend time with their family. Bubber enjoys walking for exercise, Dona rides a three wheel “bike”, both like to work in the yard, and both enjoy reading. Bubber’s greatest joy at Morningview is working on Sunday mornings in the Pre-School Department.

Lay Pastor: Cole Portis

Cole has been an active member of Morningview for 37 years. He previously served as chairman of the Deacons. In addition, he teaches the Adult 1 Sunday School class and sings in the choir.

Cole graduated from Auburn University and The University of Alabama School of Law. As an attorney for the Beasley Allen law firm, he has been recognized by Martindale-Hubbell as an AV rated lawyer and was selected as an “Alabama Super Lawyer”. Cole believes that his secular occupation allows him to offer godly counsel to his clients.

Cole and his wife Joy have adopted four of their seven children. They are strong advocates for adoption and work diligently to mobilize Christians to care for orphans.

Lay Pastor: Rick Quave

Rick was born and raised on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the small community of Vancleave. Rick works as an engineering executive in the aerospace industry. He and his family moved to Montgomery in 2001, joining the Morningview family in 2002 where he teaches Sunday school and systematic theology in the MIT program. Rick enjoys reading, history, sport shooting, auto mechanics and spending time with his family. Rick is married to his high-school sweetheart, Tina and they have two children in high school – Caleb and Olivia

Lay Pastor: Jim Smith

Jim grew up in a small town about two hours from New York City. He later graduated from the Air Force Academy and was saved by God’s grace in his mid-20s. He has served in the Air force for the past 27 years and has lived in various locations where he and his family have been ministered to and have had the opportunity to minister to others. Prior to Morningview, Jim was stationed in the Washington D.C. area where he also had the privilege of serving as a lay pastor. Jim is married to Lynette and they have seven children: Jaelyn, Seth, Josiah, Amaris, Matthias, Michaela, and Luke.

Lay Pastor: Joel Thompson

Joel was born and raised in Montgomery, AL. He became a Christian in 1988. Joel is a graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (BGS, 1994; M.Div. 1997) and The Masters Seminary (Th.M, 2002). He and his wife, Ana, have three children. Joel has served in pastoral ministry in Louisiana, Northern Ireland, and Alabama. He has been a member of Morningview since 2005 where he teaches in the Theological Institute and serves in the College and Career ministry. He is currently employed at Contractors Steel Supply in Montgomery.