elders & deacons



ElDer Leadership:

Evan anderson

Current Term: 2025-2028


Evan is a real estate attorney with an office and title company in Morristown. He and his wife, Kaci, live on a horse farm in New Market with their three children, Abby, Wyatt, and Maggie. The family enjoys spending time together on their farm, camping, going to rodeos, hockey games, and occasionally fishing and playing golf. Evan and Kaci joined JC3 in 2006 and have served in the children’s ministry together, where their daughter, Abby now serves. Kaci served as a decorator for the church for many years and Evan currently serves on the Media Team as a ProPresenter Tech. Evan considers his service as Elder to be a blessing and honor to be able to serve God.

Keith oakes

Current Term: 2026-2029

Keith began attending JC3 in 1989 as a high school senior with my soon-to-be wife, Pam. As members of the youth group, Pam and Keith accepted Christ and were baptized. They married at JC3 in 1991, raised their three children, and now have a 3-year-old grandson who attends JC3. Over the last 35 years, Keith has served as a teacher, deacon, and elder. JC3 has impacted every facet of their lives; the church's love was clear to them as teenagers and remains unchanged. It has always been his extreme honor to serve at JC3.

Ben price

Current Term: 2024-2027


Ben is married and has two daughters. He enjoys hobby farming and spending time outdoors.


Ben became an elder after serving multiple terms as a deacon. He has served in a variety of ways through the Student Ministry, Children’s/Pre-Teen ministries, Security, Community Outreach, and College and Young Adults Ministry. He enjoys helping guide church initiatives and serving the JC3 community.

adam tauscher

Current Term: 2026-2029


Adam has been blessed to be a part of the JC3 family for the past nineteen years. Jefferson City Christian Church has taught him how to “Love God, Love People, and Serve the World.” The JC3 Staff and family has not only encouraged him to grow in his faith over the years, but to invest in the lives of others. He is truly honored to have been nominated as an elder and equally thankful to have been voted in. As an elder, he looks forward to continually growing in faith along with like-hearted individuals. He also looks forward to being part of a team that helps make decisions that will allow JC3 to continue to make a difference in not only the church family, but in our community, and throughout the world.

Adam is married and has three children. He has worked as a real estate appraiser for twenty years and owns/manages several rental properties. In his spare time, he enjoys riding horses, camping, and traveling. He loves spending time with friends as he believes investing in each other’s lives is crucial in relationships.

Dwight bateman

Current Term: 2026-2027


Hello Church Family! My name is Dwight Bateman. I have a wife of 39 years (Jan), two grown daughters, one 3 year old grandson and one granddaughter that is due any day now! Jan and I have been at JC3 for 2 years; so, we are still getting to know many of you as fast as we can.


While it was age 12 that I accepted Jesus as my Savior and was baptized, I always point to my early 20s as the time when I really committed to making Jesus the Lord of my life as well. Here, I asked myself the question—"Am I going to live a life that grows my faith and lifts high the name of Jesus or am I going to be content to barely know Him.” This has proven to be a lifelong pursuit—the more I know Him, the more I want to know Him even more!


Fast forward---over the last 10+ years, Jan and my primary ministry has been focused on hosting a small group in our home. We have two goals in mind in this ministry---1) to break open and wrestle with God’s Word in the context of one amazing story and 2) to create a Community of Believers—a place where one can develop deeper friendships that rejoice with each other as well as bear each other’s burdens. We still see this as our calling and have told the Lord—"as long as you send people our way, we will be faithful to meet”.


We are so thankful to be at JC3. What drew us to the Church is its focus on loving each other and its community well. In a world that tells us that “you don’t need a church—you can live out your faith on your own”, we desperately need to push back and work to build Community within the Body of Christ. Only then can we begin to live out Jesus’s most important commandments of loving God and loving each other. Only then will the lost be drawn to the table of God’s goodness.

Mark gamber

Current Term: 2026-2027


Mark & Carmela Gamber came to JC3 in March of 2022, after moving to Jefferson City from Texas. Together we have 4 boys. Frankie & Joshua are Carmela's two sons while Brody & Zach are Mark's two sons. Mark works for Cummins Inc. as a Bus Account Executive who helps school & transit fleets maximize their use of the Cummins engine product line. Carmela runs a gift boutique, Christmas at the Creek, in downtown Jefferson City.


Mark has always been a believer in Christ but was previously not following His ways as a believer should. He was saved in the early 2000's and began to learn to obey the teachings of our Bible. Today, Mark serves as one of the JC3 deacons & is active in anything he has time for. He is a regular of the Greeting team, serves as needed for VBS, Trunk or Treat, Operation Christmas Child, Habitat for Humanity builds, & various community projects that get organized. If his work schedule permits, he hopes to be active on future mission trips as well.

Deacon Nominees:


David Reno

Current Term: 2025-2028


David Reno gave his heart to Jesus on April 8, 1990 as a young boy at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Knoxville. He met his wife, Sarah, in 2006 and they married in 2008 and had their son, Jack. They moved to New Market in 2012 and visited JC3 that summer. They attended regularly for a few years and served in the KidsWay department and finally joined the church. David later became a deacon. David serves on the Security team at church and also helps with plumbing issues that arise at the church.

Rhett alger

Current Term: 2026-2029


I am Rhett Alger and this is my family, my wife Jen and daughter Chayanne. Jen and I have been married 13 years as of August this year, my family and I have been members of JC3 for 8 years now. I currently serve on the JC3 security team and fill in when needed with teaching the Ride class.

Vince Smith

Current Term: 2026-2029


Vince and his wife, Laura, have been members of JC3 for over two years. They moved from Indiana to Tennessee three years ago to be closer to their son, Dallas, who lives in Knoxville. Besides Dallas, they have a daughter, Amanda, who lives in North Hollywood, CA. Vince came to know the Lord 28 years ago and has been involved with previous churches he attended back in Indiana. Due to a near fatal brain aneurysm with their son Dallas, he decided he wanted to do something that helped people. After much prayer, the Lord laid on his heart to become a Funeral Director, which Vince considers to be a ministry. When Vince is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family and riding his motorcycle. Vince’s favorite verse is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.

Ted sayer

Current Term: 2026-2027


Married to Lorraine for 41 years, and we have raised two children. One lives in Greenville TN and the other lives in Savannah GA. 


We moved to East Tennessee in 2022 where we appreciate the local values and culture, and enjoy the mountains and lakes. 


We are currently finishing up home renovations, and we both volunteer at Appalachian Ministries where I focus on IT support, donation pickup, and warehouse work. Additionally I volunteer at JC3 in Security, and serve on the JC3 Finance Committee. 


We enjoy boating, travel, christian fellowship, and helping others. Recent travels include Savannah, New York City, and Costa Rica. 

larkin keller

Current Term: 2026-2027


Larkin Keller is a Johnson University graduate and has been ordained as a minister the Woodlawn Christian Church in Knoxville. His church ministries include High Point NC, Cookeville TN, and Nashville TN. He has also traveled as a vocalist in the group “Sunday”, as a part of the “Christ in Youth” ministry. Since becoming a part of JC3 in 2005, he has served as a deacon and worship team vocalist. He presently serves as a greeter, a member of the prayer ministry, and with the “Vital Signs Deaf Ministry”, which he started in 2024.


Larkin has been married to fellow Knoxville native Emily for 38 years. Their son Ryan and his family, live in Jefferson City and faithfully serve their church. Larkin and Emily are “Papa and


Mimi” to Alice Gayle who is the apple of their eye! His hobbies are music, sports, bird watching, dad jokes and loving his five guinea pigs. Larkin desires to be emptied out daily and filled with the Holy Spirit.

jim sibbet

Current Term: 2026-2027


Jim and Paulette have been members of JC3 for over 2 years. They have 5 kids and 13 grandkids located all over the country. They moved to East Tennessee in 2020. Jim retired from law enforcement after a 30 year career. Paulette owned and operated a salon and spa. They both love to learn about Jesus are love this church. They enjoy traveling, especially to see their kids and grandkids. They like to entertain. Jim likes to golf and Paulette loves cooking and baking.

scott waisner

Current Term: 2026-2027


Scott and Susan Waisner found a church home in JC3 in 2023. Scott is a full time ReEntry Minister for Men of Valor in Knoxville, a ministry that disciples men returning from incarceration, leading them to reconcile with God, their families, and their communities. At JC3, Scott leads The Vineyard Sunday School class on Sundays and helps lead Vital Signs, the burgeoning deaf ministry of JC3. He can also be found in the Prayer Room. Scott and Susan have three adult children; Faith, Braden, and Corinne, and three lovely grandchildren; Grayson, Priscilla, and Izayla. 

Sam hartness

Current Term: 2026-2027


I’m Sam Hartness. My wife, Mary, and I have four wonderful daughters: Emily, Evelyn, Abigail, and Madelyn.


We’ve been attending JC3 for a few years now, and I’m honored to be considered for this role. We love spending time outdoors and being involved in our community.


As a small business owner in the HVAC trade, serving others is something that means a great deal to our family. Whether through our work, our church, or our community, we believe in doing our best to care for people well.

mike bussman

Current Term: 2026-2027


My name is Mike Bussman. My wife Brandi and I were married in 2009 and have three sons; Wyatt, Rhett, and Emett.


We have been members of Jefferson City Christian Church since 2023, and have lived in Jefferson County since 2012.

We started attending JC3 May 2023 when my mother was baptized here. We instantly fell in love with the church and it began to feel like home. Our children are very active in Kidsway and the youth, and Brandi and I are a part of the Parent Life life group and attend Wednesday night classes. I currently serve on the Safety Team and can sometimes be found chaperoning youth retreats.


I am an insurance adjuster specializing in physical damage claims involving heavy trucks and trailers, and have been in the Marine Corps Reserves since 2009."

Spence smith

Current Term: 2026-2027


Spence Smith and his wife, Jolene, are the proud parents of three beautiful children: Ava (22), Ella (18), and Spencer (16).

Spence has deep roots in JC3, as his parents, Jim & Judy Smith joined alongside the original founders. Having grown up in the congregation, he considers it his church home and plans to remain a lifelong member, a commitment he hopes to pass on to his children as well.

Professionally, Spence has served as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones for the past seven years. He is a graduate of Carson-Newman University and currently resides in Dandridge, Tennessee, having been raised in Morristown.

Spence has a long history of service within the church. He previously served as a deacon for 20 years and is currently being nominated for a second term. He has also faithfully served alongside Luke Emmert in the youth ministry for more than a decade and currently serves on the church Finance Committee.

Outside of work and church service, Spence enjoys spending time with his family, especially supporting his children in their athletic pursuits. Ava and Ella have been active in soccer, while Spencer plays football.

Through his dedication to his faith, family, profession, and church community, Spence seeks to serve others and contribute to the continued growth and strength of the congregation.