Staff
Rev. Matt holds a Master of Divinity from Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University and Doctor of Ministry from Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. He and his wife Jessica have two daughters, Leigha and Samantha. He enjoys reading, running and spending time with his family.
Favorite Movie – Dead Poets Society
Favorite Song – “Gray Street” by The Dave Matthews Band (or anything by The Avett Brothers or Indigo Girls or David Crowder … or the greatest ever … DC Talk!)
Favorite Vacation – Trips to Disney World with friends and family and vacations at the beach to rest and recuperate.
Favorite Saturday Activity – Kayaking, watching movies, sleeping, reading, shopping or playing with art
Life Verse – “…please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us … I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life … Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively.”
(2 Corinthians 6:1, 11-13)
Eli was born and raised in Huntington, WV, where all of her family and best friends still live. Her four nieces and nephews are the light of her life! Eli moved to Richmond in 1997 to go to seminary at the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. She also served in the same local church for over 16 years while living in the Richmond area. Since her ministry there came to a close, she has been eagerly anticipating the next place of ministry where God would lead. After a bit of a journey, Eli and HBC seemed like a great match. She is very much looking forward to what God has in store for all at HBC. She is humbled and excited to serve alongside you through this journey.
As Minister of Spiritual Formation, Eli is responsible for planning, coordinating and directing the educational and discipleship ministries of HBC.
Favorite TV Show – “The Office” and “Law and Order SVU”
Favorite Song – “We Are Broken” by Paramore
Favorite Vacation – Going to Ocean Isle Beach, SC with my family
Favorite Saturday Activity – Taking my son to karate, cheering on my husband at this Rocktown Rugby matches and catching up with my best friend and her two children over dinner and a play date.
Most Influential Book – The Bible and Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
Life Verse – “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
Katelyn was born and raised in Harrisonburg, VA. She graduated from Harrisonburg High School in 2006. She received her Associate’s Degree from Blue Ridge Community College in 2008 and she graduated from James Madison University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Religion, with a concentration in religion.
Katelyn married her high school sweetheart, Chris Belcher, in December 2008 and they have two children, Trace and Quinn. Katelyn has been a lifelong member of HBC and was very involved in HBC’s youth group in middle and high school and she interned at HBC throughout her college years. Katelyn has a passion for the youth here at HBC and considers it a blessing, honor and privilege to be able to work with the young people of HBC and the Harrisonburg/Rockingham community.
Favorite Movie – A Man for All Seasons and The Heart is a Lonely
Favorite Song – Musicals … West Side Story is a favorite and James Taylor
Favorite Vacation – Edisto Beach, SC
Favorite Saturday Activity – Hiking or biking
Most Influential Book – The Hiking Place by Corrie ten Boom was an important book for me early in my Christian life. Cold Mountain and Angela’s Ashes are other books I have enjoyed.
Life Verse – “So teach us to number our days that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)
Gary retired from James Madison University fall of 2016 after 20 years in the School of Music as Coordinator of Music Education. Prior to coming to Harrisonburg, he taught at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he met his wife, Kathy, at Fort Hayes State University and in the public schools of Colorado. He is originally from Illinois.
Gary and Kathy were married in 1989. They have two boys, Cameron and Douglas. Cameron is an art teacher and Douglas is a student at JMU. HBC has been their home church since they arrived in Harrisonburg. They have been actively involved in church, including the music ministry for many years. Gary is looking forward to what God may do at HBC as all of us bring our gifts and our love for God to His worship and service.
Favorite Movie – The Sandlot
Favorite Song – Fire Fall Down by Hill Song United and Now and Forever by Richard Marx
Favorite Vacation – Australia
Favorite Saturday Activity – Slow flow yoga
Most Influential Book – Secrets of Imitating God by Bill Johnson
Life Verse – “May my prayer be set before you like incense, the lifting of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” (Psalms 141:2)
Ebony Nicole Cleveland has joined the HBC staff as our Praise Band Leader. She is a Harrisonburg girl or has been since she was 11 years old. She graduated from Harrisonburg High School where she sang in the HHS Honors Choir and Women’s Choir (8-12 grade). She was also invited to sing with the VA National Choir every year in high school and sang at the National Cathedral twice … what an honor! After graduating, she attended two years at the International School of Ministry in Australia.
Singing since she was 3 years old and playing the keyboard for the past 10 years, she has been leading worship since she was 15 years old. Even though she has led worship for different churches with different styles and atmospheres, one thing always remains with her and that is her love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Please make sure to attend worship service to hear Ebony’s beautiful voice and introduce yourself.
Favorite Movie – Titanic
Favorite Song – Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Favorite Vacation – Hawaii with family
Favorite Saturday Activity – Going to the movies, shopping, and preparing music for Sunday worship
Life Verse – “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)
Rosemary attended Chowan University and Old Dominion University. She has one daughter … Karen and her husband, John Hart, live in Harrisonburg. She has three granddaughters, Kathryn, Madelyn and Margaret.
Rosemary is retired from Lipton Tea Company in Suffolk, VA. She volunteers with many of the ministries at HBC.
Harold Bailey, Pianist
Harold Bailey is a Masters student in piano performance at James Madison University. He is a student of Dr. Paolo Steinberg. He received his undergraduate degree from Radford University.