Love. Grow. Serve.

Ministry Team

Sam Belisle – Lead Pastor

Pastor Sam has committed his life to leading, developing, serving, and ministering to others. He began his journey as a Youth Pastor serving in several churches where he developed successful ministries. After several years of youth ministry, God called him to serve as a Lead Pastor. He began his pastoral ministry in Virginia, and God led Him to Celebration in 1995. Pastor Sam is known as a caring and loving shepherd to those at Celebration, and also to those in the Roanoke Valley and beyond. He has dedicated nearly 30 years to training, developing and raising up people who serve in ministry. Pastor Sam’s greatest desire is to win the lost to Christ and encourage people to grow in their relationship with God. His highest priority and joy in life is his family including his wife, Susan, son – Josh, daughter – Jennifer, and his grandkids.

Pastor Sam is an Ordained Bishop in the Church of God, Cleveland, TN. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies from Lee University and a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies from the Master’s Graduate School of Divinity, an affiliate of Trinity University.

Susan Belisle – Worship Pastor

Pastor Susan’s heart’s desire is to raise-up leaders, build alliances, and advance God’s Kingdom. After working many years in the business world, God called Susan to a life of full-time ministry. She ministers both inside and outside of Celebration Church. Pastor Susan is a passionate worshiper and has the privilege of leading our worship ministry and raising-up worshipers at Celebration. She also provides oversight to our women’s ministries. Outside the walls of Celebration, Pastor Susan ministers to women called to ministry through the organization she founded in 2017 – Called 2 Ministry. Her mandate is to encourage, equip, and empower women called to ministry. More than her love for ministry is Pastor Susan’s love for her family. Some of Susan’s favorite things include traveling, bike riding, and drinking herbal tea.

Pastor Susan is a credentialed minister with the Church of God, Cleveland, TN. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Lee University and a Master’s degree in Education and Human Development from The George Washington University.

Steve Neace – Youth Pastor

Pastor Steve was raised in a Christian home and has a rich Christian heritage. He has a passion for outreach and evangelism and seeing young people commit their lives to Christ and grow radically in their faith.

Pastor Steve received training with Master’s Commission, an urban discipleship program of Lee University, Cleveland, TN. This training led him to involvement in several inner- city outreach and youth ministries such as Urban Commission and Revolution Ministries. He also established ChristCore where he led bible studies and youth groups. He has extensive experience teaching bible and prayer classes. He has also assisted in setting up Celebrating Freedom programs in several ministry centers. His ministry experiences have allowed him to do missions work throughout the United States and in Honduras.

Pastor Steve attended Southern WV Community and Technical College receiving a degree in Radiation Physics. He also studied at Marshall University and is a certified MRI Technologist. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family, hiking, and flying his drone.

Katie & Kevin Jarrell – Children’s Pastors

Kevin and Katie have a heart and passion for this generation. They desire to see them experience God and come to know him for themselves. They desire to disciple kids into a life love and relationship with Jesus. They believe that there are no age limits to knowing God and experiencing him in His fullness. They have served on staff as children and youth pastors for the last year and half. Prior to this they volunteered in kids and youth ministry at their home church. Pastor Katie has 13 years of experience as a Kid’s, Youth and Associate Pastor. Pastor Kevin has been serving in ministry for the last 2 years in various positions. Pastor Katie is ordained through the Church of God. Pastor Kevin is in the process of studying and testing for his ordination.

Kevin has his Ba and MA from ECPI in system security and Cybersecurity. Katie has 2 AS degrees from Reynolds Community college in Deaf Studies and Eng-ASL Interpretation. Kevin and Katie were recently married in 2022. In their spare time, they enjoy traveling, hiking state parks, watching their current TV show, cooking, playing games and puzzles. Kevin details cars and Katie reads books and gardens when they aren’t doing something together.

Phillip and Christie Gervase – Administrative Pastors

Phillip and Christie are fervently dedicated to the call of Kingdom work. Their desire is to see the Kingdom of God increase, God’s people living in the fullness and freedom that Jesus has paid for, and discipling others along the way. Celebration holds a special place in both of their hearts as it is the church Phillip found Christ and Christie has called home since she was 4 years old.

Phillip and Christie previously served at various churches as youth pastors and associate pastors, as well as evangelists with their outreach ministry. Christie is also a Clinically Informed Pastoral Counselor and loves seeing the transformation that Jesus brings to people’s lives through His healing word. Both have served in ministry since 2007 with the assignment to revive, restore, and renew. Additionally, they both find great fulfillment and joy in discipling and equipping others. They both are Ordained Ministers.

Furthermore, as owners of both a tax and a financial firm, they need strong administrative skills, which are essential as Administrative Pastors. Phillip has assisted a number of churches and ministries with their organizational structure. Additionally, Phillip holds a Bachelor’s in Organizational Business Management from Radford University and holds multiple certificates in various tax, financial, insurance, and ministerial studies.

Christie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work with an Emphasis in Mental Health from Radford University, as well as a Master’s Degree in Clinical Christian and Pastoral Counseling. Furthermore, she has completed post-graduate work in trauma at Liberty University. Additionally, she is a Board Certified Mental Health Coach. Christie holds multiple certificates in counseling, coaching, ministry, and taxes.

They love spending time with family and watching their greatest joy, their son, develop into who God has created him to be. Phillip and Christie also love to travel to new and familiar places, but specifically to any place that provides the beauty of an ocean or a lake.

Ministry Staff

Lea Hatangimana – Worship Leader

Lea has been part of Celebration Church since the age of six. After spending her formative years growing in worship at Celebration, she pursued her calling by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Music with a concentation in Artist Development. Now back home, Lea is honored to serve as the Worship Leader, coming full circle to lead the next generation in the same place where her own passion for worship began. Lea is passionate about creating a space for others to encounter God through music and is grateful to be part of the leadership team.

In her spare time, Lea enjoys language learning and watching films and TV. She also enjoys learning about different cultures.

Administrative Staff

Phyllis Crum – Special Projects Director

Phyllis has served more than 30 years in church ministry, and she brings a wealth of experience to our church ministry. Phyllis and her late husband, Ed, have been Children’s Pastors, and Phyllis has also led women’s ministry, sunday school and children’s ministry.

At Celebration, Phyllis is the developer and manager of our church management software, has served in our Children’s Ministry, led small groups and assists with other projects.

Phyllis has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science with a minor in Business Administration.

Prior to an early retirement from Norfolk Southern, Phyllis was an IT Manager responsible for several key transportation projects. Outside of ministry, Phyllis enjoys traveling, entertaining, and reading

Bethany Powell – Administrative Assistant

Bethany was raised in a Pastor’s home and has a heart for ministry and service. She provides administrative support for various ministries in our church. Beyond this role, Bethany is gifted in working with children and serve as a Lead Teacher for our After School and Camp programs with Celebrate KIDS!. She also serves in our preschool ministry at church.

Bethany attended Lee University in Cleveland, TN and received a bachelor’s degree in Human Development in 2019. Prior to her ministry role at Celebration, Bethany worked in childcare.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading and watching her favorite television shows.

Celebration Church

4429 Buck Mountain Road
Roanoke, VA 24018
540-774-7711
office@celebrationcog.org

Worship Times

Sunday Senior Adult Study- 9:30am
Sunday Worship - 10:30am
Wednesday Night - 7:00pm

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