Meet our CongregationAL Council
Congregational Council is composed of the Pastor, 4 Officers and twelve individuals elected by the Church congregation.
These council members can serve as chairs and members of the committees set up to oversee all the interests of the church. The officers are elected by elected Council.
The Congregational Council meets every second Sunday of the month.
These council members can serve as chairs and members of the committees set up to oversee all the interests of the church. The officers are elected by elected Council.
The Congregational Council meets every second Sunday of the month.
COUNCIL Officers
COUNCIL PRESIDENT
PROPERTY Will Howard Will is a lifetime member of Holy Comforter. Over his time growing up here he has participated in many of the functions of the church from Sunday school to weekend youth outings. He now helps with teaching the middle and high school Sunday school class and ushering duties Sunday. Aside from church he most enjoys Clemson University, his time at Stowe's Nursery and the early start of his own farm. His favorite scripture is John 13:34 
COUNCIL SECRETARY
WORSHIP & MUSIC YOUTH & RECREATION Fran Holland, Chair Fran has been a member of Holy Comforter for 36 years. In the last 20 years, Fran has been very active in the Church life through various venues, from being a communion assistant, usher, HCY leader, and coordinator of the Crucifers and Acolytes to serving on the Altar Guild. In her spare time she loves watching college football and basketball and professional football games. |
COUNCIL VICE-PRESIDENT
PASTOR Micah Kearney Micah is married to his wife Jenn, who grew up in Gastonia and also attended Lenoir-Rhyne where they met. In June of 2012 their son, Gabriel, was born just before they went on internship in Huntsville, AL. Their time there was filled with learning the pace and patterns of working in a church, as well as how to be parents. Micah graduated from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC in May of 2014. 
CHURCH TREASURER
Warren Heller Warren joined Holy Comforter in 2003 and moved to Gastonia in 2004 when he and Faye were married. Both of them commuted to Washington, DC until he retired from the FDIC in 2007. He has three grown daughters, five grandchildren and has been blessed with careers as an engineering physicist, financial analyst and entrepreneur. Favorite Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30. |
Council
PROPERTY
FINANCE John Koehler John has been a member of Holy Comforter for 10 years. John and his wife, Misty, have three children – Emily, Justin, and Leah. He enjoys spending time with his family going hiking, traveling, and camping. He is a long suffering NC State fan but continues to have hope for the future. At Holy Comforter he serves on Property and Finance committees and supports Misty with Kids Club programs. 
WORSHIP & MUSIC EVANGELISM Tom Bocchino, Chair Tom has been a member of Holy Comforter for 1 year. He is an audiologist at ENT Carolina and has been there for over 11 years. He and his wife, Melissa, moved to Belmont a little over two years ago with their daughter Lucy. Shortly after they moved they were shocked to find out that they were having twins. They now have two sons, Alex and Henry. Tom was raised in New York in an ELCA church. Since joining Holy Comforter he has started a Men’s Ministry and has been active with the Kid’s Club. His favorite bible verse is Ezekiel 25:17. 
EVANGELISM
Nathan Kelly 
FINANCE
Shelia Kelly, Chair Shelia has been a member at Holy Comforter for over 23 years. She has enjoyed assisting with VBS, the church choir, Sunday School, Church Council, youth activities and the Ministry Site Profile for ECLA Call Committee search. Shelia and her husband, Tim live in Belmont. They have two grown children, Nathan and Madison. Favorite Scripture: John 3:16 
Rebecca Yount Rebecca has been a member at Holy Comforter for 10 years. Through the hand of God’s love, she and husband Mark met and married here. Rebecca loves nurturing and laughing with our children by teaching Sunday School and working with the Christian Education committee. She has a passion for assisting with church meals and Altar Guild and is blessed to be Mom to Luke and Alec. Favorite scripture: Ephesians 3:17-18 |
SOCIAL MINISTRY
Kathy Graves, Chair Kathy is a native of Belmont. Has been a member of Holy Comforter for 40 yrs. She has been a Sunday School teacher, VCS Director and a member of the Altar Guild. She is an Southern Seminary Life Member. Favorite and most meaningful work has been in Social Ministry, particularly ministering to bereaved families. In the community, have been a volunteer at Community Relief Organization in Mt. Holly. Have, also, served as a Discussion Leader for Alzheimer's support groups. She has 1 married son in Hoover, Alabama. Favorite scripture verses are Romans 5: 1-2 and 1 Corinthians 13: 13 
STEWARDSHIP
Steve Bingham, Chair Steve has been a member of Holy Comforter since moving to Belmont from Raleigh seven years ago. He has been a Lutheran since 1996, not coincidentally the year he married Deb. Steve is professor of graduate education at Gardner-Webb University, double bassist in the GWU Orchestra, and a member of the HC choir. With Deb, Steve enjoys travel, music, good books, and spending time with their three adult children and twin granddaughters. His favorite scripture is Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.
WORSHIP & MUSIC
Carmen Buell, Chair 
MUTUAL MINISTRY
John Crist, Chair 
Evangelism
Stewardship Katie Kessen Katie became a member of Holy Comforter in 2011, when she graduated from Belmont Abbey College. Originally from Lee, Illinois, Katie has found family here at HolyC. She teaches Sunday School, serves on the Stewardship and Evangelism committees, and truly enjoys helping wherever there is a need. Katie enjoys road trips, concerts, and being with friends. Favorite Scripture: Romans 12:12 |
