Leadership

Our leadership team recognizes the authority of God and realizes that we are shepherds who serve under the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. We desire to devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. Our passion and goal is to equip the believers for the work of the ministry until we all attain maturity in the fullness of Christ. Their focus on spiritual growth, practical leadership, and community engagement makes this church a vibrant and welcoming place for everyone seeking to connect with God and with others.

Denver Copeland

Senior Pastor

Pastor Denver has a passion for carefully unpacking the truths of Scripture. He has been in ministry for over 50 years, serving as a servant of the Lord while ministering to God’s people. He became Senior Pastor of Stithton on November 7, 2016. Pastor Copeland served for 8 years in Hawaii, 25 years in Alaska, and was on staff and/or a pastor of churches in Colorado, Germany, Nevada, and Missouri. He is married to his wife, Debbie, and they have 5 children (2 are in heaven) and 14 grandchildren in 7 different states. He retired from the Air Force, pastoring churches for 18 of the 20 years. Over 25 years ago, God revealed to him he had to get outside the doors of the church building and reach people where they live. Since that time, God has led him to start dozens of ministries in churches to reach the lost. At one church in Nikiski, AK, God led him to write a small book, “No Fishing in the Parking Lot,” about stepping out in faith and reaching out to the community.

Email Pastor Denver

John Marshall

Outreach Pastor

Pastor John R. Marshall was born in Warrenton, Virginia. At the age of eight, he confessed and accepted Christ as his savior at Little Zion Baptist Church in Greenville, Virginia. John joined Stithton Baptist Church in 1973, and got involved in the choir and bus ministry. On December 9, 1984, he united with New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, where he was ordained as a Deacon on January 19, 1986. He answered the call into the Gospel Ministry and was licensed on June 15, 1986. He served as a school teacher and as Youth Minister for several years. In January 1994, he was called to Pastor Solid Rock Baptist Church in Vine Grove, Kentucky, and was ordained and installed on February 20, 1994. To learn how to serve God better, and be more effective in his witness, John attends seminars and has taken correspondence course in associate in Biblical studies degree from Moody Bible Institute, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, (Boyce Bible College) Louisville, KY; working toward Master’s Degree in Homiletics at Christian Bible College and Seminary in Missouri. He has been affiliated as a board member with North Hardin Hope, Inc, The United Way, The Justice Department’s Hardin County Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Council, and Kentucky’s Hardin County Youth Advisory Board. Retired police officer (1971-1991), 1989 U.S Marshal’s Training Academy, Glencoe, Georgia, 1990-1992; Southern Baptist Sunday School Board Courses, and many more courses.

Email Pastor Marshall

Kandice Rice

Next Gen Student Ministries

Kandice is passionate about reaching kids for Christ. She grew up in Texas and spent 15 years living in Nikiski, Alaska. Kandice has actively been involved in children’s ministry and evangelistic outreach events for 15 years. She and her husband Mike have six adult children and three grandchildren between them. Their family is spread out between Oklahoma to Alaska and Kentucky. The couple loves to spend time outdoors, play card games, and serve together. They are excited to be part of the mission of reaching the lost for Christ in their community.

Email Kandice

Jenn White

Next Gen Children's Ministeries

Jennifer has a strong passion for seeing children meet Jesus and build a relationship with Him that is life changing. Jennifer has served in various areas of ministry most of her adult life and has been in Children’s Ministry since 2016 and joined Stithton in 2023. Her and her husband, Kevin have two girls Kaylynn and Jaycie. They enjoy family movie nights and game nights. Their family loves serving together as the hands and feet of Jesus.

Email Jenn

Ashley Carmona

Secretary

Ashley was born and raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. She moved to Fort Knox in May 2010, along with her parents and her two sisters. Ashley met her husband, Jesus, in 2011 while working at a restaurant. They started dating January 2012. Ashley and Jesus got married in June 2016, and they have three kids: Amberlynn, Mikayla, and Myles. Ashley and Jesus started attending Stithton in March 2014 and has been active in nursery and other activities within the church. Ashley enjoys spending time with her family and friends.