Jeff Noble
Lead Pastor
Jeff became Northstar's second pastor in 2009 after the retirement of founding pastor Bob Jackson. He and his family are from southeast Arkansas where he served as a campus minister at the University of Arkansas at Monticello for eight years before planting Journey Church there and serving as its founding pastor for six years.
Jeff loves coffee and is still trying to decide if he's a "runner." He's a former fantasy football champion, the author of Super Center Savior, an Apple fan boy and a teller of bad puns.
Jeff loves coffee and is still trying to decide if he's a "runner." He's a former fantasy football champion, the author of Super Center Savior, an Apple fan boy and a teller of bad puns.
Matt Simpson
Discipleship and Small Groups Minister
Matt was raised on a small farm outside of Gettysburg, PA. He was homeschooled K-12, but don't hold that against him. Upon graduating high school, Matt went to work in the outdoor recreation industry, which ignited a passion for the outdoors that he still carries today. He graduated from Liberty University in 2013 with a B.S. in Speech Communications and a minor in Biblical Studies and moved to Blacksburg, where he met and married his wife, Emily, and began working full-time at Northstar in 2016. He currently attends Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where he is pursuing a Masters of Divinity degree.
Julie Jewell
Children’s Minister
Julie grew up in Augusta, Georgia. She received a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia State University in 2004 and a Master’s degree as a Reading Specialist from Radford University in 2010. She previously worked as a classroom teacher and reading specialist in the area.
Katie Boulter
Children’s Ministry Assistant
Katie grew up in Warren, Michigan. She then moved to Orlando, Florida. While working for the mouse at the most magical place on earth, Walt Disney World, she studied Early Childhood Education. She worked as a Lead Teacher at the YMCA Child Development Center at Walt Disney World Resort and then became a professional nanny for 9 years. In 2012 Katie and her husband, Jonathan, had their first child and decided to move closer to family which led them to Blacksburg, Virginia. They have been attending Northstar Church since 2013. Katie enjoys being outdoors, reading, working out, saving money, and spending her time with her family. She has three children, Kayla, Cale, and Benjamin.
Jessica Yalung
Financial Secretary
Jessica was born and raised in State College, Pennsylvania. Her family moved to Blacksburg for her senior year of high school. She graduated from Virginia Tech in 2008 with a degree in Human Development. The summer after graduation Jessica married Justin and moved to join him in North Carolina and in 2010 she earned her Master of Arts in Teaching from NC State. After the birth of their first child they moved back to Blacksburg in 2012 to be closer to her family, Hokie football, and the small town they love. Jessica and Justin have two boys, Ezra and Micah, and a daughter, Abigail. They love spending time outside, Sunday drives, and visiting little old towns in the mountains.
Jessica has served on staff as Children's Ministry Assistant and coordinator of the Reserve venue in downtown Blacksburg before her current role.
Jessica has served on staff as Children's Ministry Assistant and coordinator of the Reserve venue in downtown Blacksburg before her current role.
Lindsey Hamilton
Care Ministry Facilitator
Lindsey was born and raised in Roanoke, VA. She received a BS in Biology from James Madison University. She had a career within the USG Intelligence Community before moving to Blacksburg. Lindsey has been married for 15 years and has two sets of twin girls. She has attended Northstar for 2+ years and is incredibly excited to serve our church family in this new care role.
Philip Beaver
Youth Minister
Philip was raised in rural Wythe County VA as one of five homeschooled boys. Throughout his teenage years, he worked for his family businesses in lawn care, electrical work, and managing a local horse camp. Philip was active in youth group and the worship team at his home church during high school. He also met his now-wife, Emma, in youth. After graduating, Philip helped lead the youth group at his home church while studying business and finance at Wytheville Community College and Radford University before he became a real estate agent full-time. Philip and his wife Emma got married and moved to Christiansburg in early 2020 and got plugged into Northstar quickly, where his passion for the worship team, youth ministry and BEing the local church grew.
Tanner Blankenship
Worship Leader
Tanner is a New River Valley Native, a musician, a businessperson, a motorcycle rider and a wannabe world traveler. In 2011 he earned his master’s degree in Philosophical Apologetics at Biola University. Tanner is an adrenaline junkie and enjoys just about any outdoor adventure. He's attended Northstar since 2012 and is proud to serve with the music team as our volunteer worship leader.
Carri Drake
Administrative Assistant & Events Coordinator
Carri was raised in Allentown, PA. Her gymnastics took her to West Virginia University earning a BS in Exercise Physiology. Carri was involved with a few different ministries on campus at WVU, but met her now husband Josh through BCM. After spending one year at home in PA coaching gymnastics, she moved back to Morgantown, WV, married Josh and pursued a degree to become a Physical Therapist Assistant. Since being licensed, Carri has worked mostly in inpatient rehabilitation settings focusing on rehab with Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, and Stroke patients. After having their first son, Liam, Carri and Josh moved to CO, while Josh completed his PhD. After having their second son, Eli, they found themselves in Charlottesville, VA. Josh accepted a position at VT which brought their family to Blacksburg, VA in January of 2020. Carri enjoys exploring the mountains, hot yoga, reading, attempting to train their GSP puppy, Kenai, and digging into God's word with a friend and a good cup of tea.
Joy Simonton
Communications Manager
Joy was born and raised in New Hampshire until her family packed up and moved to Virginia in 2016. She has an older sister and brother, and a younger brother. She is currently enrolled in New River Community College to obtain her Associates in General Studies. She plans to further her photography business and use her creative skills to serve the church. Joy loves hiking, kayaking, and spending time with friends and family.
Livi Marrin
Intern & Volunteer Coordinator
Livi is currently a junior at Virginia Tech studying History. Upon graduation she wants to pursue full time ministry serving college students wherever the Lord takes her! She is a big coffee drinker and you’ll most likely find her at Bollo’s in her free time chatting with all the locals. Livi also loves going on long walks, reading, asking deep questions, and making popcorn with her Whirley Pop.
Aaron George
Intern
Aaron is currently a grad student at Virginia Tech studying Business Analytics. He has previously been a leader with Cru, a college ministry group. Aaron enjoys the outdoors, playing guitar, and hiking. You can also find Aaron working at the local Virginia Tech bookstore. Aaron is excited serve the church & grow in his relationship with the Lord through interning at Northstar!
Leadership Board
This team serves as the primary spiritual anchor of Northstar that assists the pastor and church staff in guiding and shepherding the church. Team members consist of Darrell Cook, Tyler Farnsworth, Steve Lavinder, Trey Moore, Jeff Noble, Nolan Schmidt and John Shockley. This team has a formal process of membership which involves nomination by a church member. The process is defined in our membership materials.
