Meet Our Pastors

Payton Cody joined our staff in September as full time Pulpit Supply. Once her ordination is recognized within the Cumberland Presbyterian church, she will then officially be our Lead Pastor.

Payton has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from King University and a Graduate Degree in Ministry from Richmont Graduate University. She is currently working on her DMin in Leadership and Spiritual Formation from Richmont.

Payton is a Cleveland native. She is married to Trae, and they have three children: Ivie (7), Crosby (5), and Storie (2). In her spare time, she enjoys reading, being outdoors, exercising, enjoying a good cup of coffee, and spending time with her family.

Josiah Liljekvist joined our staff in May of 2021 as a part-time youth director and was hired on as a full-time Director of Family Ministries in October of the same year.

Josiah has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Youth Ministry from Lee University and a Graduate Degree in Ministry Leadership also from Lee University. 

In Josiah's spare time, he enjoys all things outdoors, cooking, longboarding, board games, and video games. Josiah is married to Courtney, who has a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and is currently a practicing therapist.

Church Staff and Leadership

Administrative Assistant: Alexandra Coffey
Nursery Director: Hannah Dearman
Sexton: Marvin Stidam
Choir Director: Kathy Morelock
Organist/Pianist: Robbie Cody
Organist: Paula Griffith
Clerk of Session: Krystal Miller
Church Treasurer:​ Lukas Salyer
Church Session: Bill Brown, Joshua Johnson, Moe McCormack, Krystal Miller, Tommy Newman, Lukas Salyer, Amy Slifko, Andrea Thomas
Interim Session Moderator: Rev. Courtney Krueger

Church Government

"Presbyterian" describes a form of church government  where decisions are made by elected representatives. Those representatives are called "elders," but they aren't necessarily old! Elders can be any age, and leadership positions are open to women as well as to men.

​Our elders serve three-year terms on the ruling body, which is called the Session. The Session meets once a month to do church business, and our ruling elders help with pastoral responsibilities as well.

Churches within a particular geographical area are organized into Presbyteries. All ministers plus elected elder representatives from each congregation meet twice a year to do Presbytery business, which includes work on shared ministries and mission efforts, oversight of pastors and candidates for ministry, and assistance for churches who are in need.