Leadership at Hurley
We believe that Jesus Christ is our Chief Shepherd, the true Leader and Head of the church. All we do and teach is guided by His Word and His example of love, service, and obedience to the Father. Our overseers strive to reflect that example – to shepherd the flock with compassion, lead with integrity and courage, and ensure that every member has the opportunity to develop a deeper relationship with God.
Guided by the Word
The New Testament church is a body with many parts, led by men who are called to serve in specific Biblical roles. Below, you will find information on our elders, deacons, and minister. Each role is vital to our mission of preaching the Word, caring for one another, and honoring the Lord in Jackson County and beyond.
Elders
Our elders lead with love, wisdom, and devotion to God’s Word, offering guidance to help us grow in faith and unity.
Deacons
Our deacons are dedicated servants who manage the practical needs and benevolent work of our congregation.
Ministers
Our minister is committed to the clear preaching of the Gospel and the spiritual growth of every member.
New Testament Elders
The Goodness of God & the Joy of Shepherding
God is so wonderful and loving, and He desires that we live faithfully so that Heaven can be our eternal home someday. In His wonderful plan, God has set forth that every congregation of the Lord’s church appoint men to serve as shepherds. Their role is to spiritually feed, protect, tend to, and lead the flock by their godly example (1 Peter 5:1-3; John 21:15-17). Serving as an elder in the Lord’s church is a wonderful opportunity. Elders who truly love God and love their brothers and sisters in Christ find great joy in serving God’s people. Elders are needed to ensure the church is properly fed — listening to God is essential (cf. Hebrews 5:9; Matthew 15:8-9). When brethren are sick or hospitalized, the elders visit them and pray for them. If someone in the church is struggling spiritually, the elders, because they love the flock, will go to that person with encouragement and prayer to help restore a right relationship with God. Good elders spend a great deal of time in prayer. God desires faithful men to lead His people toward Heaven, so He gave certain qualifications that these elders must meet before they are appointed by the church to serve. These qualifications are found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, and Titus 1:5-9. Our wonderful, Heavenly Father is good and loves us deeply. He provides for every need.
God’s Descriptions
When we look to the New Testament pattern for the leadership of the church, we find the Greek words, presbuteros, translated as “elder”, and episkopos, translated as “bishop” or “overseer”. Acts 20:17-28 shows these terms are interchangeable. The terms “shepherd” and “pastor” come from the Greek word poimainō, which is used in 1 Peter 5 to describe a function of the office.
Our Relationship to the Shepherds
Hebrews 13:7 tells us to remember those who rule over us — those who speak the word of God to us — and to follow their faith. Verse 17 instructs us to obey them and submit to them, because they watch over our souls. We are to give them joy and not grief. Whom are we to remember and obey? “Those who rule over us.” Why obey them? Because they watch out for our souls. Paul also states in 1 Thessalonians 5:12 that we should recognize them — that is, know them well and treat them with tenderness and respect.
Aren’t Pastors really Preachers?
The denominational world often uses the words “pastor” and “preacher” interchangeably, but God’s Word does not. In fact, the word “pastor” comes from Peter’s discussion in 1 Peter 5 concerning the role of elders. Peter admonished the elders to shepherd the flock. In Acts 20:28, Paul admonished the overseers (plural, not singular) to shepherd the church of God. God does not want a dictator. He wants at least two qualified men to work together to lead and guide His church so that it serves Him and obeys His will. We should always speak about Bible things in Bible ways — using God’s words, not our own, to describe the roles within the church.
New Testament Deacons
In Acts chapter 6 we find that the apostles encouraged the disciples in the early church to find seven men of good reputation to oversee the daily distribution of food. The apostles needed to focus on prayer and proclaiming the Gospel, so they suggested that seven righteous men be chosen to serve the church. God, in His pattern for governing the church, has directed congregations to appoint deacons so that they can be dedicated servants in the work of the local church, allowing elders time to focus on the spiritual needs of the church. Just like Elders, there are certain qualifications a man must meet before he can be appointed by the church; these qualifications, which emphasize a life of high integrity and deep faith, can be found in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Their work is vital because it ensures that no member of the flock is overlooked and that the church's resources are managed with care and wisdom. Some areas where a deacon may serve would be transportation, missions, maintenance of the building, outreach, church activities, etc. Deacons today, just like the seven men chosen in Acts 6, are a great asset for the work of the church and a tremendous help to the elders. I Timothy 3:13 tells us, “For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
New Testament Ministers
In Acts chapter 6 we find that the apostles encouraged the disciples in the early church to find seven men of good reputation to oversee the daily distribution of food. The apostles needed to focus on prayer and proclaiming the Gospel, so they suggested that seven righteous men be chosen to serve the church. God, in His pattern for governing the church, has directed congregations to appoint deacons so that they can be dedicated servants in the work of the local church, allowing elders time to focus on the spiritual needs of the church. Just like Elders, there are certain qualifications a man must meet before he can be appointed by the church; these qualifications, which emphasize a life of high integrity and deep faith, can be found in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Their work is vital because it ensures that no member of the flock is overlooked and that the church's resources are managed with care and wisdom. Some areas where a deacon may serve would be transportation, missions, maintenance of the building, outreach, church activities, etc. Deacons today, just like the seven men chosen in Acts 6, are a great asset for the work of the church and a tremendous help to the elders. I Timothy 3:13 tells us, “For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
A godly minister will serve the Lord with patience and humility, possibly with tears at times. He will teach when the church gathers, and he will also teach from house to house, preaching the whole counsel of God. He must exhort the church, warn, rebuke, and pray for them. Last, but certainly not least, he must love them.
His personal life must reflect the message he preaches. By living a holy life and adhering to sound doctrine, the minister protects the spiritual health of the church and ensures that the message of salvation remains pure for all who hear it.
Satan aims to destroy Jesus’ church; therefore, God needs faithful ministers who will be loving and compassionate yet speak the truth with boldness. They do this in the hope of keeping His people focused on their hope of Heaven — it truly will be a wonderful place! The faithful preacher has God’s heart — he wants all men to go there!
Those Who Lead through Christ
Wayne Roberts
ElderWayne was born in Camp Polk, LA, and grew up in Montgomery, AL. He met his beautiful wife, Lana, in Kansas, and they married in 1968. Their next-door neighbor, Debbie, shared the Gospel of Christ with them, and they were baptized into the Lord in 1978. Wayne served in the U. S. Army as a cook from 1965-1971 then joined the Air Force Reserve, serving from 1980-1996, including during Desert Storm, as a mechanic on KC-135 refuelers.
Wayne and Lana have two children, Russ and Keri (Adam), and they have been blessed with four grandchildren and one great-grandson. He and Lana also have a love for animals and have rescued countless ones through the years.
With a strong love for Christ and His church, Wayne attended preaching school in Independence, MO, and he preached for congregations in the area surrounding Eudora, KS, for several years. He began preaching for the church in south Mississippi in 1996 and continued for 15 years. Wayne’s quiet strength and humility in serving as an elder in the church for over 20 years has been a tremendous blessing to the Lord’s work here in Hurley.
Wayne Roberts
ElderWayne was born in Camp Polk, LA, and grew up in Montgomery, AL. He met his beautiful wife, Lana, in Kansas, and they married in 1968. Their next-door neighbor, Debbie, shared the Gospel of Christ with them, and they were baptized into the Lord in 1978. Wayne served in the U. S. Army as a cook from 1965-1971 then joined the Air Force Reserve, serving from 1980-1996, including during Desert Storm, as a mechanic on KC-135 refuelers.
Wayne and Lana have two children, Russ and Keri (Adam), and they have been blessed with four grandchildren and one great-grandson. He and Lana also have a love for animals and have rescued countless ones through the years.
With a strong love for Christ and His church, Wayne attended preaching school in Independence, MO, and he preached for congregations in the area surrounding Eudora, KS, for several years. He began preaching for the church in south Mississippi in 1996 and continued for 15 years. Wayne’s quiet strength and humility in serving as an elder in the church for over 20 years has been a tremendous blessing to the Lord’s work here in Hurley.
Sam Craft
ElderSam was raised on Paris Mountain, SC. At 17 years old, he volunteered to join the army, serving as a Quartermaster Heavy Equipment Repairer. At 18, while stationed at Fort Lee, VA, he met his lovely Diane, and they married at 19 and 16 years old in 1963. Sam was baptized into Christ that year.
The Crafts have four children, Teresa, Tammy (H. T.), Toni (Steven), and Stephen, and they have been blessed with seven grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren with more on the way.
Sam has worked in many fields, including working in a bakery, making contact lenses, working on a horse ranch, building steel buildings, and working as an electrician. He retired as an Electrical Instrumentation Controls Design Engineer in 2009. Sam’s parents, Homer and Lizzie Craft, were instrumental in helping establish several congregations of the Lord’s church in SC, and they instilled a strong love for the church in him at an early age. He has been actively involved in domestic missions for most of his life. The Central Chesterfield church of Christ in Chesterfield, VA, began in his and Diane’s home in 1986, and he also served as an elder there. The name was changed to the Hopkins Road church of Christ in 1988. Sam was prayerfully appointed as an elder in the church at Hurley in 2015.
Sam Craft
ElderSam was raised on Paris Mountain, SC. At 17 years old, he volunteered to join the army, serving as a Quartermaster and Heavy Equipment Repairer. At 18, while stationed at Fort Lee, VA, he met his lovely Diane, and they married at 19 and 16 years old in 1963. Sam was baptized into Christ that year.
The Crafts have four children, Teresa, Tammy (H. T.), Toni (Steven), and Stephen, and they have been blessed with seven grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren with more on the way.
Sam has worked in many fields, including working in a bakery, making contact lenses, working on a horse ranch, building steel buildings, and working as an electrician. He retired as an Electrical Instrumentation Controls Design Engineer in 2009. Sam’s parents, Homer and Lizzie Craft, were instrumental in helping establish several congregations of the Lord’s church in SC, and they instilled a strong love for the church in him at an early age. He has been actively involved in domestic missions for most of his life. The Hopkins Road congregation in Chesterfield, VA, began in his and Diane’s home in 1985, and he also served as an elder there. Sam was prayerfully appointed as an elder in the church at Hurley in 2015.
Steven Lucas
Elder and MinisterSteven was raised in Mobile, AL, and he was baptized into the Lord’s church in 1979. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Faulkner University in 1990 and worked with the city of Montgomery after graduation. In 1993, he married Toni, and they moved to Chesterfield, Virginia, where he worked in the home lighting industry. Steven had the fine example of service to the Lord in his parents, Perry and Donna Lucas, and while in Virginia, he served as a deacon in the church and was involved in youth ministry. At the encouragement of Tom and Donna Marshall, he began preaching once a month. This stirred in him a desire to preach full-time, and the Lucases moved to Knoxville, TN, to attend the East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions under the directorship of James Meadows. Steven graduated with a Bachelor of Bible and Toni graduated from the women’s program in 2006.
The Lucases have been blessed with two children, Emily and Will. Emily has a degree in photography from Freed-Hardeman University, and Will has a preaching certificate from the North Carolina School of Biblical Studies and is currently studying digital media and sports broadcasting at Faulkner University.
Steven and Toni worked with the church in Ligonier, PA, for several years then moved to Hurley in 2011 to assist with the work here. Steven has been the full-time pulpit minister since that time and was appointed as an elder in Hurley in 2022.
Steven Lucas
Elder and MinisterSteven was raised in Mobile, AL, and he was baptized into the Lord’s church in 1979. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Faulkner University in 1990 and worked with the city of Montgomery after graduation. In 1993, he married Toni, and they moved to Chesterfield, Virginia, where he worked in the home lighting industry. Steven had the fine example of service to the Lord in his parents, Perry and Donna Lucas, and while in Virginia, he served as a deacon in the church and was involved in youth ministry. At the encouragement of Tom and Donna Marshall, he began preaching once a month. This stirred in him a desire to preach full-time, and the Lucases moved to Knoxville, TN, to attend the East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions under the directorship of James Meadows. Steven graduated with a Bachelor of Bible and Toni graduated from the women’s program in 2006.
The Lucases have been blessed with two children, Emily and Will. Emily has a degree in photography from Freed-Hardeman University, and Will has a preaching certificate from the North Carolina School of Biblical Studies and is currently studying digital media and sports broadcasting at Faulkner University.
Steven and Toni worked with the church in Ligonier, PA, for several years then moved to Hurley in 2011 to assist with the work here. Steven has been the full-time pulpit minister since that time and was appointed as an elder in Hurley in 2022.
Come join us in our mission to share the hope of Christ and live out His love.
“To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.” — Ephesians 3:21