Our Leadership

Larry and LaVonna Cockerham - Pastors

Larry and LaVonna Cockerham founded Living Word Church in 1986. They have planted churches in Nepal, Ukraine and Mexico as well as in America, with ongoing ministries in several other nations as well. They are affiliated with Evangel Fellowship International under Bishop Houston Miles. A growing number of ministers look to Larry and LaVonna as their spiritual mentors and apostolic covering.

Larry received his Bachelors Degree from Wake Forest University and M.S. and PhD. Degrees from North Carolina State University. His passion is to help people to live from their hearts, expressing their gifts in winning the lost and nurturing the body of Christ. LaVonna received the Bachelors Degree from Lee University and has done graduate work in Bible and counseling. Her primary gifts are expressed in teaching, counseling and prayer. She has an effective ministry to women, couples and families. Larry and LaVonna are an effective husband and wife ministry team. The heart of their message and ministry is knowing God intimately, worshiping Him freely and obeying Him completely.

Lewis McNeely - Administrative Pastor

Lewis & Kim were married in 1995 and have one son named Austin and two girls named Isabella and Paige. Their heart is to teach the world that God the Father is deeply in love with them.

Lewis, at age 18, gave his life to Jesus. He'd been engulfed in drugs and alcohol and lived in violence  but was dramatically set free. He moved to Cleveland, TN in 1985 to attend bible school then began traveling with the Christian acting ministry, The New Life Drama Company from 1986 to 1988. Ten years later in 1998, He began working as Larry Cockerham's ministry assistant and now serves as an assistant pastor at Living Word Church.

Kim gave her heart to Jesus in 1980 after attending a youth group meeting at her Methodist church in Fort Oglethorpe Ga. In 1984 Kim was baptized with the Holy Spirit and begin to have a more Christ filled walk. Kim is a homeschool teacher with Gateway Christian Schools.

Bob and Jen Bevan - Youth Ministry

Bob and Jennifer came to Cleveland to attend Lee University in 1993. They began attending Living Word Church in 1994 and began leading worship for cell group meetings in 1995. They have 2 children, Brianna and Luke.

They graduated in 1997 with Jennifer receiving her BA degree in Psychology and Bob receiving his BA degree in Secondary English Education. They were married in May of 1997 and continued working with Living Word Church.

In 2000 they felt the call to step into the Youth Pastor position and have been leading the youth since that time. Bob and Jen also serve as worship leaders and in the International House of Prayer in Cleveland.

Jonnie and Tab Shumate - Children's Ministry

Jonnie and Tabitha were happily joined in marriage December 2001.  They graduated from Lee University in May 2004, Jonnie with a bachelor's degree in physical education and Tabitha a bachelor in psychology. In April 2005 God blessed them with Jade, their beautiful baby girl and another blessing with the birth of Nina in 2006.

Jonnie came to Living Word in 1997 and began serving in the ministry where needed. Jonnie served as the college pastor for 4 years and as mission's director for 2 years. Tabitha served in the college and career ministry as well. Jonnie and Tabitha are now happily filling the calling of children's pastors.  Both have a heart to raise up kids for the Lord. They hope to see children draw closer to Jesus while having tons of fun in the process.

Nancy Clark - Prayer Pastor

Nancy became prayer pastor at Living Word January 2004. Prayer and intercession have been a central part her life since she became born-again at age 12. Soon after, she participated in a prayer meeting seeking God for the salvation of her best friend. The next day her friend received Christ. This made a believer out of Nancy concerning prayer and intercession.

Nancy was married to John Clark until he went home to the Lord in December 2003. This position of prayer pastor has brought focus, purpose, and healing for her in the loss of John.

Her duties include oversight of noon prayer at LWF and participation in prayer at various churches in the city and throughout the TN Valley. Nancy views prayer as the heart and foundation of the church and credits daily, fervent prayer as the power that has sustained her in the loss of her husband. She gives God the glory for the prayer base being built in our city of Cleveland , TN.

Elders

Jerry & Molly Allen
Dave & Miriam Andrews
Rob and Mary Benton
Rob & LeAnne Charles
Kenny and Tonya Fletcher