Staff

Lanny Green

minister of music

Born and raised in Michigan Lanny Green moved to Cleveland when he began his Bachelors degree in Music at Lee University in the fall of 1998. He finished his Bachelors degree in Music in the fall of 2002. Lanny began working part time as the Minister of Worship at North Cleveland Baptist in Feb of 2003 while also working on a Master degree in Church Music From Lee University. After finishing his Masters in the Spring of 2004 the church changed his position to full time. While he loves music and singing Lanny also enjoys being out side in God’s creation whether it is hiking in the mountains, riding his bike, or just getting his hands dirty landscaping and working in the garden. Lanny is married to Leah Green who is also a graduate of Lee University with a degree in psychology. They are the proud parents of Levi , Judah, Natalie and Sarah Green.

Jonathan Nelson

minister of Preschool & children

Jonathan was born in Knoxville in 1996 and grew up all over the East Tennessee area. In 2019 he married his beautiful wife Amber and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies from the University of Tennessee. Only three months after being married, Jonathan and Amber moved to Wake Forest, North Carolina where he would begin graduate school at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. While there, he worked as a tech in the school’s IT department where he would learn a great deal about computer systems and networks in addition to his theological studies. It is during this time at seminary that he would discover God’s call on his life to minister to kids thanks to the help of the children’s pastor at his local church. A big nerd, Jonathan enjoys all things Jurassic Park (and dinosaurs in general), Disney, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings. Though not particularly good at any sports, he does enjoy playing pickleball, basketball, and golf as well as being a die-hard, orange-blooded Tennessee Volunteers fan. In December 2022, Jonathan graduated from Southeastern with the degree of Master of Divinity with a concentration in Christian Apologetics shortly before coming to North Cleveland Baptist Church as the new Children’s Minister in March of 2023.

Sonya Huddleston

Pastoral secretary & office coordinator

Sonya grew up as an active member in our congregation. Her family started attending in 1993. Her first job was watching children in our church nursery. Later, she taught in the child development center through college. She attended The University of Chattanooga, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. In addition to her role as our Office Coordinator, Sonya also serves as the Area Coordinator for Operation Christmas Child for the Tennessee Valley Area. She also coordinates our annual shoebox packing party. Sonya has been married to her husband, Alan, since 2006. In her spare time, Sonya loves to travel, lift weights, spend time with her family and friends, and spoil her nieces and nephews!

Jena Cavett

Financial Secretary

A life long resident of Cleveland, Jena has a heart for ministry and our community. After studying accounting and computer science at Cleveland State, she began her career in banking, later opening an accounting/tax business. Through the years, she felt a calling on her life to focus on assisting churches and other non-profit organizations in accomplishing their financial goals. Serving in many areas of ministry, her desire is to assist staff members so they have more time to serve others. She served as Financial Administrator for First Baptist Cleveland for more than 15 years.

Jena became a follower of Christ at the age of seven here at North Cleveland. She was married to Tony Cavett for almost 40 years until he went to his Heavenly home after battling a rare form of early on set dementia. Their two children, Kristen and Corey and two grandchildren Kinsley and Owen are her life’s joy. She loves music, writing, interior design and her Golden Doodle, Lucy.

Brandi Hipps

Director of weekday childcare

Brandi graduated from Gateway Christian Academy in 2003 and started working in our child development center in 2004. She became Director in 2021.  Brandi believes God has called her to work with children. It is her desire to show them the love of Christ and help them as they grow not only physically but spiritually. She has been happily married to Travis since 2012. They love spending time with family and enjoy outdoor activities.