Leadership Board :
Our Leadership Board is a group of men that serve the church as elders, or spiritual shepherds. The men must meet the qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 and are appointed to 3-year terms. The Leadership Board is responsible for both spiritual and fiduciary oversight of Northstar, seeking to equip our members and staff to create a Christ-centered environment that promotes gospel-focused living within our local community. We are motivated by our desire for each member of Northstar to personally experience the hope offered in salvation through Jesus Christ and enter into an intimate, love relationship with God. More information on the Leadership Board’s responsibilities, functions, and selection process can be found in our ByLaws [insert hyperlink].
Darrell Cook:
Darrell and Laura Cook have been serving with Baptist Collegiate Ministries at VT for 23 years. They have had the honor of watching Northstar grow from the first steps of vision in the early 2000s to how God is using it in the NRV beyond today. They are also extremely honored to parent five children, who live in Germany, Tennessee, and Blacksburg.
Darrell and Laura Cook have been serving with Baptist Collegiate Ministries at VT for 23 years. They have had the honor of watching Northstar grow from the first steps of vision in the early 2000s to how God is using it in the NRV beyond today. They are also extremely honored to parent five children, who live in Germany, Tennessee, and Blacksburg.
Tyler Farnsworth:
Tyler and his wife Katie moved to the NRV after Tyler completed his PhD in Materials Chemistry from UNC Chapel Hill. They have been at Northstar since 2018 and Tyler joined the Leadership Board in 2021. When he is not hanging out with Katie and daughter Riley, you will likely find him enjoying a good cup of coffee or rooting for his beloved Tar Heels (especially when they play the Hokies).
Tyler and his wife Katie moved to the NRV after Tyler completed his PhD in Materials Chemistry from UNC Chapel Hill. They have been at Northstar since 2018 and Tyler joined the Leadership Board in 2021. When he is not hanging out with Katie and daughter Riley, you will likely find him enjoying a good cup of coffee or rooting for his beloved Tar Heels (especially when they play the Hokies).
Steve Lavinder:
Steve and his wife Amy moved to Blacksburg in 2019 after Steve finished his career doing environmental (water and wastewater) work. They both graduated from Virginia Tech in the 1980’s and moving back to Blacksburg is like coming “home”. Their son James, daughter Victoria and her husband Alec all live in Atlanta, GA and we are very proud of them! Steve and Amy joined Northstar in 2019 and love “being the church”. Steve enjoys the outdoors (hiking, cycling, camping, etc), working in the yard, and anything VT.
Steve and his wife Amy moved to Blacksburg in 2019 after Steve finished his career doing environmental (water and wastewater) work. They both graduated from Virginia Tech in the 1980’s and moving back to Blacksburg is like coming “home”. Their son James, daughter Victoria and her husband Alec all live in Atlanta, GA and we are very proud of them! Steve and Amy joined Northstar in 2019 and love “being the church”. Steve enjoys the outdoors (hiking, cycling, camping, etc), working in the yard, and anything VT.
Trey Moore:
Trey graduated from Virginia Tech in 2013 with his degree in engineering science and mechanics and now works full time with the campus ministry of Cru. While he grew up elsewhere in southwest Virginia, he has now found his true home in Blacksburg and loves helping college students find a deep Christian community and grow in their love for Jesus. Trey and his wife Rebecca have been married for six years and it was actually Rebecca who first introduced him to Northstar when they were dating in college. They live in Riner with their dog Mae.
Trey graduated from Virginia Tech in 2013 with his degree in engineering science and mechanics and now works full time with the campus ministry of Cru. While he grew up elsewhere in southwest Virginia, he has now found his true home in Blacksburg and loves helping college students find a deep Christian community and grow in their love for Jesus. Trey and his wife Rebecca have been married for six years and it was actually Rebecca who first introduced him to Northstar when they were dating in college. They live in Riner with their dog Mae.
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 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.
Nolan Schmidt:
Nolan and his wife Jan live in Giles County having moved to the NRV in 2018 to help lead Li Industries, a new start company located on the VT CRC campus. They quickly joined Northstar and Nolan joined the Leadership Board in 2021. Nolan and Jan have moved 21 times during his Marine Corps and business career; they have two children and 8 grandchildren.
Nolan and his wife Jan live in Giles County having moved to the NRV in 2018 to help lead Li Industries, a new start company located on the VT CRC campus. They quickly joined Northstar and Nolan joined the Leadership Board in 2021. Nolan and Jan have moved 21 times during his Marine Corps and business career; they have two children and 8 grandchildren.
John Shockley:
John and his wife Sharon have been in Blacksburg since the 1980’s and have been at Northstar since about 2009. John is in his 3rd term on the Leadership Board after a 3-4 year stint off the board between the 2nd and 3rd term. John and Sharon are enjoying being new grandparents to Little Brayden and love their various service opportunities at Northstar.
John and his wife Sharon have been in Blacksburg since the 1980’s and have been at Northstar since about 2009. John is in his 3rd term on the Leadership Board after a 3-4 year stint off the board between the 2nd and 3rd term. John and Sharon are enjoying being new grandparents to Little Brayden and love their various service opportunities at Northstar.