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.

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Jim Swim

Teaching Pastor

Pastor Jim is an evangelist, preacher, teacher and author. He was educated in Alabama, Illinois and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Pastor Jim is retired from the United States Air Force where he worked in Explosive Ordnance Disposal prior to his call to ministry. Pastor Jim comes from a Pentecostal Holiness Church background prior to being ordained and licensed to preach as a Southern Baptist minister. He is an active, vocal proponent for the State of Israel and supporter of civil rights. Pastor Jim served with the military chaplaincy and later as a chaplain for the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs. He has pastor for several churches in Kentucky. Pastor Jim and his wife reside in Elizabethtown.

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Mike Lake

Shepherding Pastor

Michael has a strong passion for the gospel and preaching God's word. He was born and raised in Elizabethtown, Kentucky and is a true Kentucky Wildcat fan. The Lord started calling Michael to preach in 2018 while he served as a Deacon and Trustee, he finally accepted the calling and began preaching in 2021. Michael and his wife Jo Ann have 5 adult children between them (one is in heaven) and 9 grandchildren located in Kentucky, Illinois and Oregon. Michael recently retired after 30 years as a Customer Development Specialist with Gordon Food Service. Michael is a veteran of the U.S. Army, loves fishing, camping, coaching football and spending time with his wife at their lake house on Rough River. Michael enjoys helping others grow their faith and maturity in Christ, provides spiritual care and walks closely with people offering biblical counsel and prayer.

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Rob Ratledge

Campus Pastor

Pastor Rob is honored to serve as Campus Pastor and is a dedicated servant with a passion for sharing the Gospel and ministering to God's people. He is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition to his ministry, he is also a dedicated family man, happily married to his wife, Nacole. Together they are blessed with three wonderful children. Furthermore, he continues to serve our nation on active duty in the U.S. Army, a testament to his dedication and leadership.

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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.

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Jenn White

Next Gen Children's Ministries

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.

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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.