Morningview Baptist Church

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

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 five children – Grace, John David, Josiah, Faith and Joy.

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

Pastor of Worship: David Hardgrave, M.Div.

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 Lily.

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.

Pastor of Family and Student Ministries: Reid Ward, Th.M.

Reid was born in Demopolis, Alabama.  He served churches in Kentucky and Alabama before coming to Morningview in 2011 from Bush Memorial Baptist Church in Troy, Alabama where he served as Pastor of Discipleship and Education since 2007.  Reid obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of West Alabama in 1994, his Master of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1997, and his Master of Theology from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2000.  He and his wife, Rayanne, have four children – Trinity, Elijah, Zachariah, and Aaron.  Reid also serves as the President of Legacy Ministries and enjoys reading, sports, outdoor activities, and spending time with his family.

He can be reached at reid.ward@morningview.org.

Director of Children’s Ministries: 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. Kem is married to Trey her High School sweetheart. They have three adult children who are married and have blessed them with five wonderful grandchildren. Kem enjoys spending time with them as well as other family and friends.

She truly feels blessed to serve in a church where a strong emphasis is placed on parents and grandparents to train up the next generation to love the Lord their God with all their hearts! “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

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

Directors of Senior Adult Ministries: 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.

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 has studied at Birmingham Theological Seminary working toward a 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:  Cole Portis

Cole has been an active member of Morningview for 37 years.  He previously served as chairman of 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 five of their eight 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, Caleb and Olivia.

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 four 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.

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 retired after 27 years active duty in the United States Air Force. During that time, he and his family lived in various locations where they were ministered to and had the opportunity to minister to others.  Jim presently is on staff at Troy University Montgomery. 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 eight children:  Jaelyn, Seth, Josiah, Amaris, Matthias, Michaela, Luke, and Asher.

Billy has been a serving member of Morningview for over 40 years. Billy graduated from the University of Alabama in 1979 with a major in accounting and currently serves as a shareholder in a local firm. He and his wife, Brucie have two children, Emily, currently in college, and Tanner, in high school. The family enjoys spending time together, traveling, reading and sports. Besides this, they are all active in missions and count it a privilege to join the Lord in His work at home and abroad. In addition to his duties on the pastoral staff, you can find Billy just about any Sunday morning serving our church family by teaching the Adult II Sunday School class.

Support Staff:

• Sarah Jones, Pastor’s Secretary
• Heidi Callahan, Publications
• Becky Williams, Membership
• Danny Martin, Financial Administrator
• Ryan Kirk, Facilities Manager
• Joe Cameron, Systems Maintenance Director

Active Deacons:

• Jeremy Aldridge
• Tom Hicks, Sr.
• Calvin Lee
• Robert Martin
• Matt Cox
• Scott Estes
• Bruce Jones
• George Kelley
• Richard Mayer
• Joe Medlin
• Ashley Boyd
• Scott Dudley
• David Lawrence
• Jeremy Moreland
• Ben Robinson
• Dennis Shepard

*Please Note:  At certain times, some of our pastors and/or staff may be omitted from this page for privacy purposes.  For contact information for pastors and/or staff not listed here, please contact the church office in person during regular business hours