Leadership

Preacher Matt Hughes came to us as an interim pastor shortly after Hurricane Helene.   His positivity, energy, and love for the Lord were exactly what we needed after the storm.   On August 10, 2025, we voted unanimously to accept him as our undershepherd.   He lives with his wife, Elisabeth, and young daughter, Haizley, in the back forty of Mitchell County (Buladean).   Even with this great distance and young child, they still manage to make it to church on time.   We have learned that slow drivers are his “thorn in the flesh.”   They keep him humble and force him to rely heavily on the Lord.   Preacher Matt was ordained on April 3, 2022, at Snow Hill Baptist Church.   Altapass Baptist Church is his first pastorate home.   As of the writing of this biography, he still has not hung anything on the walls in his office but he does have two deer hides spread over his desk.   Although he is not an interior designer, he warmly welcomes anyone in to speak with him about their life, worries, and The Saviour.   In addition to herding cats at Altapass Baptist Church, Preacher Matt likes hunting, fishing, and Tennessee college football.   He has a large family that he enjoys very much (unless they are all crammed into a rental at the beach for a week).   His favorite foods are seafood and bologna.   He can often be heard mumbling “vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”   Preacher Matt invites you to join us for a church service or watch on our Church app or YouTube channel.

Greg has attended Altapass since birth.  While his occupation was in law enforcement, his heart was in serving God.  He took advantage of the witness field his job provided.  Music is very important in the McKinney household.  Greg's wife, Debbie, is our piano player and the best VBS teacher of all time.  Greg's favorite Bible verse is:  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

Charlie is our eldest and wisest deacon.  He is soft spoken and carries a pocket full of candy (and all the children know it).  He has been a member of Altapass for decades and we love him dearly.  Everybody knows Charlie and Charlie knows everybody.  His favorite Bible verse is:  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

Gregg is an introvert but don't let that fool you!  He is one strong Soldier for the Lord.  In addition to his role in our church, he and his wife, Lisa, are very active with the Gideon organization.  He may not say a lot but when he talks, we listen.  Also, he has "a merry heart that doeth good like a medicine."  His favorite Bible verse is:  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

David and his wife, Diane, are invaluable to us.  He is a Gideon and a volunteer fireman.  When he isn't working at the fire department, he is working at the church, or at home or somebody else's home.  He's just working, with a smile, all the time.  If something needs fixing we "tell David."  His favorite Bible verse is an entire chapter:  Luke 5.  (He does like to fish).

Mitchell is our UNC Chapel Hill fan.  Every church has one.  But seriously, he is our financial guidance guy whether he wants to be or not.  Nobody likes a budget but Mitchell presents us with one every year like clockwork.  He has extensive Bible knowledge and is one of the best Sunday School teachers around.  His wife, Wendy, is a nurse that shares her loving care gladly with anyone who needs it.  His favorite Bible verse is:  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

Richard wears many hats at Altapass.  He teaches Sunday School and is the assistant music director but where he really puts on the cape is with technology.  We have technological issues.  Who doesn't, right?  Richard is our go-to guy.  If he can't fix it then he knows a guy.  He is married to Anna.  She uses and abuses this technology so it's usually her call he answers.  His favorite Bible verse is:  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16