Leadership
Leadership
Jerel Law | Lead Pastor
Jerel is a passionate communicator who loves helping people find and follow Jesus—especially those who never thought they’d step foot in a church. He’s been in full-time ministry for over 30 years and launched Love Lake Norman in 2017, which means he’s basically the OG around here. When he’s not preaching, leading, or dreaming up big things for the church, you might find him golfing, fishing, or hanging out with his wife, Liz, and their family. Oh, and he’s also a published author of two Christian fiction series for youth—so if you need a good book recommendation, he’s your guy. Connect with Jerel at jerel@lovelkn.org.
Philip Hamrick | Worship & Creative Arts Pastor
Philip is all about creating a culture of worship where people can encounter God in a real way—and he does it with both passion and serious musical talent. He’s never met a stranger, which makes him an instant friend to pretty much everyone. When he’s not leading worship, you’ll find him spending time with his wife, Rachel, and their daughters, writing songs, or casually being an amazing musician (he has two published albums, no big deal). Want to talk music, worship, or just life in general? Hit him up at philip@lovelkn.org.
Ethan Pope | Connections Pastor
Ethan is a born-and-raised North Carolinian with a gift for making people feel like they belong—because they do! He’s led student and small group ministries in both North Carolina and Utah, bringing creativity and energy wherever he goes. Ethan is a dedicated husband to Emily and a dad who loves playing baseball with his boys, coloring with his daughter, hitting the gym, and hunting down vinyl records like a true music enthusiast. If you’re looking for community at Love Lake Norman, Ethan is your guy! Connect with him at ethan@lovelkn.org.
Jayce Shirley | Next Wave Students & Outreach Director
Jayce is all about discipleship, student leadership, and making an impact in the community—especially among middle and high school students. Before joining Love Lake Norman, he worked in urban ministry in Northeast Charlotte, which means he’s no stranger to meeting people where they are. He’s married to Ana (our amazing Social Media Coordinator), making them a true power couple in ministry. When he’s not investing in the next generation, you can find him coaching high school soccer, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, or perfecting his coffee game (he’s the official staff coffee connoisseur). Connect with Jayce at jayce@lovelkn.org.
Toni-Ann Pfeiffer | Love Kids Director
If energy and enthusiasm had a name, it would be Toni-Ann. With over 15 years of ministry experience, she’s passionate about helping kids build strong relationships with Jesus—and having a blast while doing it. She loves to laugh, read, cheer on the Packers (cheesehead alert!), and visit her two amazing daughters. If you’re looking for someone who can make faith fun for the kids, Toni-Ann is your person!
Connect with her at toniann@lovelkn.org.
Pat Sechrest | Administration Director
Pat is the definition of wisdom and organization, and we honestly don’t know how we’d function without her. A retired teacher of information and technology skills, she’s been leading and serving in church ministries for over 40 years. Pat has a huge heart for seeing people grow in faith, and when she’s not keeping things running smoothly, you’ll probably find her playing pickleball with her husband, John, tending to her garden, or getting lost in a good book. Connect with Pat at pat@lovelkn.org.
Stephanie McKinley | Service Production Coordinator
Stephanie is the behind-the-scenes genius who makes sure every worship experience runs seamlessly—from audio to video and everything in between. With a background in customer service, administration, and healthcare, she brings the perfect mix of organization, creativity, and heart to her work. She loves helping people experience the life-changing love of Jesus—preferably with excellent sound quality. When she’s not making Sunday services happen, she enjoys hiking, reading, and cheering on her husband, Matt, at his gigs. Connect with Stephanie at stephanie@lovelkn.org.
Ana Shirley | Social Media Coordinator
If you’ve ever liked, shared, or commented on something from Love Lake Norman, you can thank Ana! As our Social Media Coordinator, she keeps our online presence fresh, fun, and full of encouragement. Whether she’s creating engaging content, capturing the heart of our church in a post, or making sure you never miss an important update, Ana brings creativity and passion to everything she does. She’s also the proud wife of Jayce, an expert in finding the best local coffee spots, and a firm believer that GIFs are an essential form of communication. Connect with Ana (or at least double-tap her latest post) at ana@lovelkn.org.
Leadership Structure
Advisory Team
The Advisory Team is like the wise and steady compass of Love Lake Norman, making sure we stay on course with our mission, values, and vision. Serving as our Board of Directors, they prayerfully discern, shepherd, and evaluate everything happening in the church through the lens of our mission, resources, and doctrinal beliefs. They also keep our Lead Pastor accountable—so if you ever wonder who keeps Jerel in check, it’s them! On top of all that, they have the important task of approving the budget, ensuring we steward our resources well. With wisdom, faith, and a whole lot of heart, they help guide Love Lake Norman forward.
Advisory Team members:
Kelly Brett – Chair
Jason Brett
Mike Hurd
Jerel Law
Mike Mills
Love Lake Norman is guarded by the Advisory Team, guided by the Staff Team, and gifted through the congregation. We work hand-in-hand to move the mission to help people find and follow Jesus forward.