Whitney is a South Carolina native who has served across the Southeast and Arizona as a youth pastor, associate pastor, church planter, and lead pastor.  He came to Willow Hills in 2013 and has served as the Lead Pastor since February 2018.  He is passionate about seeing lives changed with the Gospel of Christ and helping people learn and understand God’s Word.  He enjoys the outdoors (especially the ocean), sweet tea, sports and spending time with his wife, Amy, and their three daughters: Esther, Elizabeth and Abigail

 

What is your favorite verse and why?

One verse that constantly resonates and challenges me is John’s description of the life of Jesus in John 1:14:  “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  Jesus was “full of grace and truth.”  I am reminded that, even though our world seems to struggle between grace and truth, Christ did not.  Some want to compromise truth in an attempt to “be kind and loving,” while others display truth divorced from kindness and compassion.  Jesus made it clear that I do not have to choose between truth and grace.  I can stand boldly and unashamed of the truth without sacrificing grace and kindness.  This was the life Jesus lived and this is the life we, as His followers, should seek. 

 

Favorite sports team?

The University of Notre Dame and the Carolina Panthers

 

Favorite local restaurant?

Cracker Barrel and Chic-Fil-a

 

Besides the Bible, what are some of the most influential books you have read?

There have been a lot of books that have impacted me, but I would have to say that The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer and What’s So Amazing About Grace Philip Yancey have probably had the biggest influence.  Reading The Pursuit of God while in college radically changed my life.  It helped me see God as a personal God who still speaks and guides those willing to listen.  What’s So Amazing About Grace allowed me to see God’s grace, not only as something necessary for salvation, but as something that impacts every part of our lives and that should flow through us to those we meet and encounter.  Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby, A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards, and the writings of Frank Boreham have are among the other writings that have impacted my life and ministry. 

 

What is your favorite quote?

My favorite quote is probably by Albert Schweitzer, “ I decided I would make my life my argument I would advocate the things I believed in terms of the life I lived and what I did.”

 

John Wayne’s “Life is hard, but it is harder if you are stupid” is a close second. 

 

Email: whitneywalters@willowhills.church

Pastor Andy was born and raised in Ohio and came to Willow Hills in 2018 with over 25 years of ministry experience and a passion for people, whether followers of Christ or those yet to become believers.  Although he was raised in the Church, He was saved in college where he played football.  He has served Churches in Florida, North Carolina and Indiana.  He holds 2 Master Degrees (Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling).  He also has a doctorate degree with a focus on Church education.  He and His wife, Karen, have four children: David, Victoria, Monica and Nathan. 

 

What is your favorite verse and why?

"Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (Jesus- Luke 4:21).  The coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah has changed everything!  I now live to carry out His mission and purpose!

 

Favorite sports team?

Ohio State Buckeyes (O-H-).  I also enjoy the other Cleveland sports teams, especially the Browns.  My hockey team is the Philadelphia Flyers, something my wife and I both enjoy.

 

Favorite local restaurant?

Backburner Restaurant in Prescott Valley.  They have great biscuits and gravy and cinnamon rolls!

 

Besides the Bible, what are some of the most influential books you have read?

Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs and The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan.  Letters to the Churches by Francis Chan is a very challenging and convicting read as well.

 

What is your favorite quote?

"Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will."  Jonathan Edwards

 

For your spouse: What qualities drew you to your husband?

The most important quality that drew me to Andrew is that he loves God.  He listens for God's guidance and follows the Lord according to where he believes God is taking him (us), no matter how hard.  Secondly, he is a great listener.  He will intently listen with great concern and you can feel the love and compassion that he has.

 

Email: andybarr@willowhills.church

My husband, Dean, and I have attended Willow Hills since 2011. We have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. I have lived in the Prescott area since 1994. I began working in children’s ministry in 2000 or 2001 in Vacation Bible School and have enjoyed children’s ministry since. I have continued working in various areas of children’s ministry to this day.

 

What is your favorite verse and why?

Jeremiah 29:11-13. Even when I am going through things in life and it seems impossible I always come back to those verses because they remind me that God has a plan for my life and can use anything I’m going through to achieve that plan.

 

Favorite local restaurant?

Chick-fil-A, Cracker Barrel

 

Besides the Bible, what are some of the most influential books you have read?

The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, The Power of a Praying Woman

 

What is your favorite quote? 

“Being in power is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.” Margaret Thatcher

 

For your spouse: What qualities drew you to your wife?

When I first met Stacie, I was impressed by her ability to balance raising 2 daughters and a challenging career still keeping  her love for the Lord as the focus of her life. She would use what little vacation time she had to teach VBS and spent her weekends teaching Sunday school.

 

Email: childrendirector@willowhills.church

Matt is a native of Lorain, Ohio and graduated  from Mount Vernon Nazarene College.  He has served Churches as worship leader  in both Prescott and Prescott Valley since 2014. With God’s help Matt has lead worship teams to Hopefest in downtown Prescott and has recently been accepted into Justin Unger’s Likewise Worship Collective. He is married to Becky who works at the Agape House in Prescott.  They have four children Mckaian, Jayln, Daniel & Elayna.  In addition to being a worship leader Matt is a paramedic for Life line Ambulance Company. 

 

What is your favorite bible verse and why?

Philippians 1:6: “Being confident of this that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day if Christ Jesus.”  I like this verse because it encourages me to remember God is not done with me! He continues to refine me into and guides me to become  better in the roles he has placed me in. 

 

What is your favorite sports team? 

The Ohio State Buckeyes football team. I also like the Cleveland Cavs, Indians, and Browns. 

 

What is your favorite local restaurant?

Texas Roadhouse! I love their BBQ chicken, steaks and great atmosphere. Not to mention freshly made dinner rolls with cinnamon butter!

 

Besides the Bible what are some of the most influential books you have read? 

It’s Not About Me, By Max Lucado, I think the title explains it pretty well, great read! 

Holy Roar: Seven Words that Will Change the Way you Worship by Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead. Its a constant reminder to me of how and why we are to worship our God! 

 

What is your favorite quote? 

“The point of life is to point to Christ,” Francis Chan.  

A close second is “To seek to learn, is to seek to serve.” MVNU class of 2001 vision statement. 

 

For your spouse: what qualities drew you to your husband? 

I have said for many years it would be; lead me to the cross.  Through his humble submission of prayer and worship, Matt’s heart and desire is to lead others to the cross.  No matter who we are or what situation- the cross is the answer. 

 

Email: mattmitchell@willowhills.church

Dan has served as Worship Leader, Choir and Orchestra Director and Praise Team Leader at Willow Hills since October of 2006. Prior to moving to Prescott, he served churches in California and Georgia including 16 years at his previous church in California. He also taught in School Music Programs for 11 years. He is a PK (Preacher's Kid) and spent his childhood on the road in his family's evangelistic crusades. Dan is married to Suzy and they have three daughters (Katy - married to Johnny, Emily - married to Phillip, and Elisabeth.)

 

What is your favorite verse and why?

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

In the most challenging time of my life, God used the reassurance of this verse to remind me of His faithfulness and that He would see me through to the other side. When all of life seems to be falling apart around us, He knows the future that we cannot see. Learning to trust in the assurance of His Word is life-changing!

 

Favorite sports team?

The Lakers and The Dodgers growing up. Having moved to Arizona, I root for the local teams now.

 

Favorite local restaurant?

Bill's Pizza

 

Besides the Bible, what are some of the most influential books you have read?

The Rebirth of Music by Lamar Boschman

A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards

 

What is your favorite quote?

"God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile"
– Max Lucado

 

Email: DanChandlr@aol.com

Wayne L. Hawley, born in Pennsylvania and was raised on a farm.  Married in 1957, joined the Army from 1958-1961, graduated from Grand Canyon College in 1972.  Worked in the computer industry from 1961 until 1994.  Was a bi-vocation pastor from 1986-1997.  Was a chaplain from 1995-1997 and became fulltime pastor from 1997-2005.  Joined Willow Hills January 2006. 

 

What is your favorite verse and why?

John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friend.” I am humbled to know, believe, and trust that is not only the type of love Jesus Christ says He has for me, but that He demonstrated that love by giving His life on a cruel Cross to prove how much He does love me.

 

Favorite sports team?

Arizona Diamondbacks

 

Favorite local restaurant?

Lindo Mexico

 

Besides the Bible, what are some of the most influential books you have read?

Gleanings of Genesis by Arthur W. Pink

Hearts of Iron, Feet of Clay by Gary Inrig

The Crucified Life by A. W. Tozer

The Bush Is Still Burning by Lloyd John Ogilvie

Lord of the Impossible by Lloyd John Ogilvie

 

What is your favorite quote?

  “Son, the least you can be is a man of your word!” by my dad.

 

For your spouse: What qualities drew you to your husband?

I saw his deep dedication to the Lord and his passion to share God’s love and Word to others.

 

Email: willowhills@willowhills.church