Chip Stallings, Senior Pastor
Pastor Chip began his ministry as Senior Pastor at East Valdese Baptist Church in February 2021. During his 20 years of pastoral ministry, Chip has served as a Youth Pastor, Church Planter/Senior Pastor, and Campus Pastor. While pursuing his Masters of Divinity degree, he served as the Director of The Center of Pastoral Leadership at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition to serving in these pastoral roles, Chip has also enjoyed supporting other church planters as a NAMB Church Planting Coach.
Pastor Chip was born in Laurinburg, but raised in Wilmington, NC, where his parents still live today. After going to Liberty University for his undergrad, he moved to West Palm Beach, FL and pastored there for 20 years. In 2008, Chip was married to his wife and partner in ministry Brittni. They love their active home filled up by their three sons: George, Deane and Thomas. When not coaching his son’s sports teams, Chip enjoys working in the yard and pulling on his UNC Tarheels, Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ken Gillen, Students & Children Pastor
Pastor Ken began his ministry as Student and Children’s Ministries Pastor at East Valdese Baptist Church on August 17th of 2020. Ken, along side his wife Cindy, have served in student lay-ministry since 1990 and have served in full time ministry since 2006. During his 14 years of full-time pastoral student ministry, Ken earned his Master of Arts in Religion Discipleship Ministries from Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary.
Cindy and Ken have two sons, who through marriage have given them two beautiful daughters. Jonathan and his wife Karen currently live in Charlotte NC, and Bailey and his wife Hannah live in Hickory Corners MI. Ken and Cindy enjoy traveling around the country and when opportunity arises, visiting other countries. They also take delight in bike riding together around the beautiful trails in NC. The buzz is that Ken also enjoys bee keeping. It’s a sweet hobby! Ken’s favorite verse is Romans 1:16-17.
Shannon Deaton, Music & Media Pastor
Pastor Shannon began his ministry as Music/ Media Pastor at East Valdese Baptist Church in June 2022. He has been in music and worship ministry since 1994, also serving as education and discipleship pastor as well in various churches. He has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a minor in Music from High Point University and a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2008.
Pastor Shannon grew up in Trinity, NC and has served in various churches throughout North and South Carolina. He is married to his love Renee Spoon Deaton. They have two daughters together. Their oldest daughter Amber lives in Monroe, NC. Their youngest, Kayleigh, still lives at home. In his free time, Shannon enjoys anything UNC Tar Heels (especially basketball), and any boating and water sports on the lake.
Sharon Lowman, Executive Ministry Assistant
Sharon joined the staff at EVBC in February 2013 as the Executive Ministry Assistant. She is responsible for the overall management of the church office, and provides administrative support to the church staff and it’s many ministries.
Sharon has more than 20 years of experience working in ministry and non-profits, as well as owning a small business.
Sharon spent her early years in Norfolk, Virginia, moving to Catawba county after college. She relocated in 2013 to Burke county and resides in Connelly Springs. Sharon enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, as well as traveling throughout the country and abroad. She loves the outdoors and considers gardening her most loved hobby.
Linda Cannon, Preschool Coordinator
Linda joined the staff at EVBC in 2013 as Preschool coordinator. She is responsible for the preschool children from birth to kindergarten.
Linda has more than 30 years of experience working in preschool/children’s ministry. She also has almost 20 years experience as a church financial secretary. She is currently working at MDI as a payroll/financial administrator, as well as her part time job at EVBC.
Linda is a lifelong resident of Burke County. Linda resides in Valdese with her husband, Greg. They have been married for 32 years. She has one son, Christopher who lives in Easley, SC and works as a golf pro/manager at The Rock in Pickens, SC. Linda enjoys spending time with her husband and family. Her hobbies include reading and babysitting for her great nephews and great nieces.
Ashley Bean, Children’s Ministry Coordinator
Ashley joined the EVBC staff as the Children’s Ministry Coordinator in December 2021. Ashley works alongside Pastor Ken and helps with the Elementary Age students. She organizes and manages the elementary curriculum, as well as plans events for the students.
Along with the role of Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Ashley is also a first-grade teacher for Burke County Public Schools. She has been teaching for 10 years and has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education.
Ashley grew up in Livonia, Michigan, and moved to North Carolina in 2009 for a teaching job. She met her husband Lance 6 months later and the rest is history! Together, Lance and Ashley have three children; Ellie, Zeke, and Micah. Along with spending time with her family, Ashley enjoys fitness, crafting, and spending time outside.
Holly Hahn, Pianist
Holly has served as the church pianist at East Valdese Baptist Church since 2004. She works along side the praise/worship teams and band leading the congregation in song and worship during weekly services and other gatherings.
Holly has over 33 years of experience serving as a pianist, ranging from church ministry to traveling with ASU’s Baptist Student Union Choir while earning a Bachelor’s in Communications Disorders at ASU. Holly has also worked for Abound Health of North Carolina (formerly Turning Point Services) for the past 25 years as a Qualified Developmental Disability Professional. Making a difference in the lives of folks with developmental disabilities has been more so a ministry than a career for Holly.
Holly was born and raised in Burke County North Carolina where she continues to call home. She came to know her husband of 26 years, Mark Hahn, while attending Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Boone , North Carolina. Mark and Holly have two children, Ethan and Kaylee. Ethan also finished his degree at ASU, and is living and working in Boone. Kaylee has plans to transfer from Western Piedmont Community College to ASU in the Fall. Boone, ASU and Mt Vernon Baptist Church still play a big part in the lives of the Hahn family and they love spending as much time there as possible.
Family, church, and work commitments keep Holly pretty busy, but she loves cooking, hosting big gathering for family and friends, canning, raising free range chickens, organic gardening and growing flowers.