What We Believe
Jon Watson
Lead Pastor
Jon has a Master of Theology from the University of Glasgow and Edinburgh Theological Seminary, and a Master of Divinity from Knox Theological Seminary. His academic emphases are biblical theology, Old Testament theology with a focus on Genesis, and narratology. Jon has spent years serving local churches, including two years as Minister in Training at St. Columba's Free Church in Edinburgh, Scotland (2019–2021). He currently serves as Pastor at Christ Church, which was planted in the north suburbs of Nashville, TN, in January, 2022. Jon and Beka have been married since 2011, and have three kids: William, Kathryn, and Eleanor. Originally from Washington state, they moved to Tennessee in 2015 and immediately sank into the gospel doctrine and gospel culture of Immanuel Church Nashville. While serving at Immanuel and working in the marketing industry, Jon was leading small groups, discipleship groups, and seminars. Beka worked as a birth doula, discipled women, taught in the kid’s ministry, and led women’s theology seminars. In 2019 they were sent to Edinburgh, Scotland, as missionaries, to continue Jon’s theological education and to serve at St. Columba’s Free Church. During the two years in Scotland, Jon preached regularly, Beka started Bible studies, and they shared the love of Jesus with their church and their neighbors. The Lord has led them back to Nashville to begin the labor of love he’s been growing in their hearts for years: planting a church in the Nashville area.
Nathan Merrick
Director of Worship Arts & Operations
Nathan is a creative individual who was born and raised in Jonesborough, TN. He gave his life to Jesus at a young age, likely between 5 and 8, during a powerful, Baptist-style hellfire and brimstone presentation. Music has been a significant part of his life, as he has played in a variety of bands ranging from jam bands to praise bands and even heavy metal. Nathan attended ETSU, where he pursued a degree in digital media and met his wife, Michelle, during their first semester. They have been married since 2008 and have two amazing children. In 2012, Nathan and Michelle relocated to Nashville, where Michelle’s career as an interior designer began to take off. Nathan worked in the sign industry and later transitioned into marketing. Around 2017-2018, Nathan decided to step away from his career to pursue a Master of Arts in Biblical Theological Studies at Covenant Theological Seminary. As he neared the completion of his degree, Nathan felt called to fully dedicate himself to supporting the planting of Christ Church, a mission he has been actively involved in ever since.
Michael Sharpnack
Co-Director of Kid’s Discipleship
Michael has been passionate about teaching the Bible and ministering to young people since he was 16. Out of high school, he followed that passion to Bible College, interning at the college, and then into full time youth ministry. After starting a family, michael transitioned to a career in personal finance where he currently works. Michael grew up on the West Coast; Washington State, Arizona and California before meeting his beautiful wife, Sarah, and moving to Tennessee. Michael enjoys reading, playing chess and wrestling with his 3 boys.
Ray Vaca
Elder
Ray, a California native, and his wife Patty and three children moved to Tennessee in 1999 to serve as house parents for a children’s ministry home for boys. This was a one year break in his career as an audio engineer in the television industry where he worked for over 25 years in Los Angeles and finished his career in Nashville. He is now retired and serving at Christ Church, and leading a busy life with 10 grandchildren.
Jen Pollert
Deacon of Finances
Jen has called Nashville home for almost 20 years. As a deacon and treasurer at Christ Church, she is honored to serve in ways that strengthen both the church’s mission and its community. Her heart for worship and passion for music fuel her joy in leading others into God’s presence. Outside of ministry, she works in HR and cherishes every moment with her wonderful husband, Taylor and three beautiful children. Jen is grateful for God’s faithfulness in her life and is committed to serving with love, humility, and joy.
Mason Prophater
Deacon
Mason Prophater is married to his awesome and supportive wife, Nichole, and they have one very outgoing daughter who loves being around people. At home they also have a rambunctious pup named Truffle and a sweet cat named Saucy. Mason has grown up in the church and became a Christian around 8th grade. He has always loved serving the local church through music, hospitality, leading youth and adult bible studies, missions, and more. Out of high school, he served with the NAMB (North American Mission Board) in Alaska helping run a youth camp, fishing ministry, helping run VBS at several churches, as well as re-building a church. A couple years later he served in South Africa with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) helping provide support in an orphanage in one of the townships of Cape Town, as well as helping build a church there. During his early adult life, he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Boyce College, the undergraduate school of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, with a desire to serve as a worship pastor or some other ministerial role throughout his life. He is grateful to be a part of what the Lord is doing in and through Christ Church, grateful to serve as a deacon, and desires nothing more for others in the city of Nashville to truly experience and believe the undeniable and deep love of Jesus for them. Go team go!
Chris Reeves
Deacon of Communications
Chris has served as the Deacon of Communications at Christ Church since the diaconate was first established. In this role, he takes minutes for diaconate meetings and sends the weekly church email. He loves that deacons are called to serve with benevolence, meeting the needs of both the church body and the surrounding community. A full-time writer and content creator, Chris sees communication as central to his work, hobbies, and service. He also serves on the board of Rahab House, extending the church’s mission beyond its walls. In both his writing and ministry, he is captivated by the “Already but Not Yet” reality of following Christ—learning each day what it means to live in the tension between redemption and the completed Kingdom. Chris has been part of Christ Church since its early days and has spent most of his life in Ashland City, just outside Nashville. He is a husband to Carrie and father to Phoebe, believing his first calling is to love and serve his family well. Guided by Micah 6:8, Chris is grateful that God has made a way for all people while calling each person individually. As a deacon, he hopes to reflect God’s kindness through Christ Church, meeting tangible needs with justice, mercy, and humility so that more people may hear and respond to God’s call.
Theo MacMillan
Deacon
Theo MacMillan has been a deacon at Christ Church since 2024. He is originally from Winchester, KY but has lived in Nashville since 2016. Theo attended Berea College in Berea, KY where he studied Computer & Information Systems before moving to Nashville to pursue a professional career. Theo works full-time as a software engineer and is peripherally involved in the music industry as a songwriter and performer. Theo has been married to his wife Paige since 2022 and the couple welcomed their first child, Fletcher, in 2024. Theo was raised in a Christian home and professed faith in Christ from an early age. He was always active in the local Christian community, serving in many roles throughout his teenage and college years including as a musician, bible study leader, camp counselor, and event planner. His desire is to see the church unified around practical community, theological essentials, personal holiness, and cultural impact.
Beka Watson
Ministry Coordinator, Director of Women’s Discipleship
Beka trained as a missionary for several years prior to meeting and marrying her husband. Before moving overseas as a family for a couple years in mission work, she found her mission field: their three kids. For years she has served Christ as a homeschool educator, a Classical Conversations Tutor, a kids’ curriculum writer, and most recently as the Director of Women’s Discipleship and Ministry Coordinator at Christ Church. Beka grew up in Washington State, where she earned a B.A. in Communications, and where the Lord began to develop in her a passion for discipleship and education. She spends her time reciting Latin declensions with the kids, organizing Sunday morning logistics and special events, and growing beautiful dahlias.
Sarah Sharpnack
Admin Assistant, Co-Director of Kids’ Discipleship
Sarah has been involved in church ministry in various forms for most of her life. Born in California, Sarah moved to TN at 5 when her parents ran a foster home. She grew up in the church as her parents served in ministry and were a part of several church plants. Sarah wanted to pursue a deeper understanding of God and scripture, and so she went to Bible College in California. She met her husband, Michael, in college and they moved back to TN to serve in youth ministry together. On staff at the church, Sarah worked in kids’ ministry, youth ministry, and college ministry. She worked there for 4 years before having children. She took some time off to be a stay at home mom to her boys. Sarah now works as the admin assistant at Christ Church TN and volunteers as the Children's Ministry leader alongside her husband. Sarah and Michael have been married for 11 years, and together they have 3 boys, August, Theo, and Milo. She loves spending time with her family. Some of her biggest hobbies are reading and gardening.
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