Ministry Leaders
Jeff Henley
Elder
Craig Miller
Elder
My name is Jeff Henley and I’m an Elder here at City Gate Church. I am married to my wife Terri, for 35 years. We have two children Kailey and Trevor and our son-in-law Travis . They’ve given us four beautiful grandchildren; the oldest is Nathaniel, followed by Calista, then Kolbey and Aaron bringing up the rear.
I am a proud veteran of the United States Army. I’m also a licensed master electrician and I’ve been very blessed to work on the nation’s largest data center that we are still building right here in Gallatin. But, I am most proud and so humbled to be a servant for God our congregation.
Six years ago our lives were shook to the foundation, when I was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer. I truly felt the hand of God move over me during prayer and when he answered mine and my wife’s prayer we both knew our lives were forever more changed. Only by our heavenly father’s hand was I healed.
Biblical responsibilities of an elder
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Provide spiritual oversight
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Guide the congregation spiritually.
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Help discern the direction and priorities of the church.
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Serve as a shepherd to the people.
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1 Peter 5:1–3
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Teach and protect sound doctrine
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Know Scripture and be able to teach it accurately.
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Guard the church against false teaching.
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Titus 1:9; 1 Timothy 3:2
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Shepherd and care for people
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Pray with and for members.
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Encourage those who are struggling.
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Visit and minister to the sick, elderly, and those in need.
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Help restore believers who have fallen into sin.
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James 5:14–15; Galatians 6:1
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Be an example of Christian character
Elders are expected to model the Christian life rather than merely hold an office. Scripture emphasizes being:-
Above reproach
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Self-controlled
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Faithful
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Hospitable
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Gentle
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Not quarrelsome
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Spiritually mature
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Responsible in family life
1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9
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Help oversee the church
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Participate in important church decisions.
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Work with the pastor and other leaders.
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Help ensure that church ministries operate according to biblical principles.
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Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 5:17
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Pray and seek God's direction
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Elders should be men and women of prayer, depending on the church's theological tradition.
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They should seek God's wisdom when dealing with difficult pastoral and organizational matters.
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Acts 6:4; James 1:5
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Promote unity and reconciliation
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Help resolve conflicts within the congregation.
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Encourage forgiveness, humility, and unity.
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Protect the church from division and unnecessary controversy.
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Ephesians 4:1–3; Philippians 2:1–4
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Exercise spiritual accountability
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Help hold church leaders and members accountable to biblical standards.
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Address serious doctrinal or moral problems when necessary.
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Do so with humility, fairness, and restoration as the goal.
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Matthew 18:15–17; Galatians 6:1
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Hi, I'm Steve Murphy. I came to City Gate Church after a chance meeting with Pastor Howie Cantrell, which I know was God’s will. I met with Howie because I was having trouble dealing with the tragic loss of a very good friend. After our conversation, I decided to give a Church another try. I’d made many excuses for many years for not going to Church, but for some reason this felt right. After being at City Gate for a short while, I discovered I had a very large hole in my life and didn't know how to or with what to fill it with. I can say now that by the grace of God and a good Church family God is filling up all the empty spaces.
I have been retired since 2006 and am walking proof that it is never too late to feel Gods love in your life. If you feel something missing in your life, come spend some time with our Church family and see what God has planned for you. May God bless you every day.
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Steve Murphy
Deacon
Darrell Morris
Deacon
Hi, I am Darrell Morris, one of the deacons here at City Gate Church. I live with (and am the eye candy for) my beautiful and oh so patient wife, Christy and our three dogs, Petey, Poncho and Presley.
I work for Binswanger Glass as a commercial estimator. I am a member and Road Captain for the Lebanon chapter of the Roughnecks Motorcycle Club, a public service-based club. Most of our members are either active or retired Police, Fire, EMT or military. I am also a founding member of the Wartrace Regulators, which is a cowboy action shooting club (CAS) and member of the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) the governing body of SASS.
I am proud, honored and humbled to serve God and this church as a deacon.
Here are a few answers to questions I am commonly asked...
Yes
Yes
No
Possibly
No
Absolutely not!!
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Randy Slawson
Deacon
Biblical responsibilities of a deacon
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Serve the congregation
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Identify and respond to practical needs among church members.
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Help care for widows, elderly members, families in need, and others requiring assistance.
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Acts 6:1–6
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Assist the pastor and elders
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Support the spiritual leadership of the church by handling appropriate ministry and service responsibilities.
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Free pastors and elders to devote themselves to prayer, teaching, and spiritual oversight.
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Acts 6:2–4
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Care for people in need
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Participate in benevolence and compassionate ministries.
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Help distribute assistance fairly and responsibly.
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Acts 6:1–3
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Serve with integrity and trustworthiness
Deacons are called to be:-
Worthy of respect
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Sincere
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Not given to excessive drinking
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Not pursuing dishonest gain
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Holding firmly to the faith
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Tested and found faithful
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1 Timothy 3:8–10
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Protect church unity
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Help resolve practical problems before they become sources of division.
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Treat people fairly and without favoritism.
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Promote peace and cooperation within the congregation.
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Acts 6:1–7
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Help administer church ministries
Depending on the church, deacons may oversee or assist with:-
Communion preparation and distribution
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Baptismal services
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Hospitality
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Benevolence
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Meals and member care
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Facilities and property
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Transportation
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Outreach and missions
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Other practical ministries
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Be a spiritual example
A deacon is not merely a person who performs church tasks. The position requires Christian maturity and a life that reflects the Gospel.
1 Timothy 3:8–13 emphasizes integrity, faithfulness, a good conscience, and a well-ordered household.
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Fred Brown
Deacon
My name is Fred Brown, and I am blessed to own and operate my own Heating and Air Conditioning business for the past 38 years. It has been a rewarding way to serve people and provide for my family.
One of God’s greatest gifts to me is my wife, Beth. We have been blessed to walk through life together for over 50 years, and I thank the Lord for every one of them. We also enjoy living close to our son, Zach, his wife, Taylor, and our precious granddaughter, Hazel, who keeps us smiling and reminds us daily of God’s wonderful blessings.
God graciously led our family to City Gate Church, and we are so thankful to be part of such a loving church family. It is truly a privilege and an honor to serve alongside this body of believers as a Deacon.
Above all, my greatest desire is to know and follow Jesus Christ more faithfully each day. I enjoy spending time in God’s word, growing in my relationship with Him, and learning more about His love, grace, and faithfulness. My prayer is that my life reflects His goodness and that I can be an encouragement to others as we walk together in faith.
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Dr Rebecca Cantrell
"Becky"
Signs of Praise Ministry
I’m Becky Cantrell, wife of Pastor Howie Cantrell and co-founder of City Gate Church in Gallatin, Tennessee. Together, we have two wonderful sons, Roy (Trey) Cantrell, III and Travis Cantrell, two beautiful Daughter-in-Laws, Erin Cantrell and Melissa Cantrell and three wonderful grandsons, Luke Lawson, Zane Cantrell, Tucker and Jaxon Cantrell.
My love for musical signing started around 2004 when I attended a church and saw music being signed for the first time. I immediately started taking sign language classes at two different churches, as well as taking classes at Gate Communications in Franklin, TN, Volunteer State Community College, and the Bill Rice Ranch. The Bill Rice Ranch is where I was given my “Sign Name” (your sign name has to be given by a member of the Deaf community). I joined the Hands of Praise Team where I signed for the Praise and Worship and special music.
In addition to my Sign Language education, I’ve also obtained the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Education. To this day, you will still find me up on the stage praising God with my signs and in bible class each week, growing in God’s word.
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Dr April Mooneyhan
Minister of
Christian Counseling
I've had the privilege of calling City Gate Church my home since the very beginning. When I first walked through the doors, I was rough around the edges and knew very little about the Bible beyond the simple stories I had learned in Vacation Bible School. What I found here was so much more than a church—I found a family.
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From day one, I was accepted just as I was. People took the time to invest in me, answer my questions (even the ones I thought were silly), and help me grow in my relationship with God without judgment. Through their love, encouragement, and faithful teaching, God transformed my life in ways I never imagined.
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Today, I hold a Bachelor's degree in Christian Education and a Doctorate in Christian Counseling. While I'm thankful for those accomplishments, what means the most to me is being able to help others experience the same love, grace, and spiritual growth that changed my life. I don't claim to have all the answers or to always get everything right, but I never forget where God brought me from. It is my heart to encourage others as they discover the hope, healing, and purpose God has for their lives.
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My husband, Chris, and I were married in 2013, and together we've been blessed with five incredible children. We've also welcomed several "bonus kids" into our family over the years, and we've learned that life doesn't always look the way we expect—but God's plans are always better than our own. Recently, we've been promoted to "G" and "Grump-pa," which has quickly become one of our greatest joys!
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Trusting God hasn't always been easy, but He has proven Himself faithful time and time again. Through every season, He has worked all things together for our good and has blessed our family beyond measure. My prayer is that everyone who walks through the doors of City Gate Church feels the same love, acceptance, and encouragement that I experienced all those years ago.
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I look forward to meeting you and walking alongside you as we grow together in faith and discover all that God has in store.
My name is Kerin Fellows. You are probably saying it wrong. No, seriously. I mostly answer to Mom and мам, but you can call me K.
I moved from the woods of New Hampshire to come live here in the woods of Portland, TN. I live with my husband, Dave, and two of our four children.
I am a learner first, and then a teacher. I am a follower first, and then a leader. I’m a mom of adult children, a homeschool mom, a host mom, a dance mom, and a mother-in-law. I don’t brag on myself well, and my identity is tied up in Christ and family.
I have degrees in Studio Arts, Christian Education and Christian Counseling, but in the scope of eternity, what are they worth? What is truly important is that I follow where God leads, I minister where He shows me, and I love big. I do mess up at times. For example, sometimes I hate. I hate this assignment. The end.
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Dr Kerin Fellows
Minister of
Christian Education
Terri Henley
Church Treasurer
My name is Terri Henley and I’m the treasurer for City Gate Church. I’ve been married to my husband Jeff (who is an elder in the church) for 35 years. We have two children, Kailey and Trevor, and our son-in-law Travis. They’ve given us four grandchildren, Nathaniel, Kolbey, Calista and Aaron, whom I adore.
We’ve been members at City Gate for six years and I absolutely love our church home! I’ve been in accounting for 34 years, and am currently employed at Yapp part time and also part time for the church.
I absolutely love to travel, especially cruising, and my husband tells me I’ve never met a stranger. I also love watching the cheesy Hallmark movies because I love happy endings.
Donna Miller
Church Secretary
dmiller@citygatechurch.org
Hi! I’m Donna Miller and I’ve been married since 1984 to my husband Craig. We have an adult daughter Megan and a grand dog, Cooper. My husband and I are originally from Pennsylvania, and during the first 10 years of marriage (due to job transfers) we lived in Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Virginia and then we finally put down roots in Sumner County in 1994.
I joined our church in 2015, yet continued to run from God, just like “Jonah”, but God relentlessly pursued me and I totally surrendered to Him, on my knees, a broken mess, in 2016 and there’s been no looking back. I became the church secretary in 2019 and am humbled on a daily basis that God chose me, a sinner, to work for His glory in His kingdom!
I truly love people. Nothing brings me more pleasure than a good, deep conversation about life, God, and all points in between…. especially with young women trying to find their identity in Christ. People say I ask a LOT of questions, but it’s an earnest, pure pursuit of understanding someone. I also love reading, cooking, and our Tuesday night bible class (where you’ll find me asking lots of questions!).
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Dr. Roy H. Cantell
Pastor Emeritus, Deceased
Dr. Ina Kaye Cantrell
Pastor Emeritus
Dr. Roy H. Cantrell
and
Dr. Ina Kaye Cantrell
Pastor Emeritus
Dr. Roy Harold Cantrell was born in Shelby Gap, Kentucky, in August 1939. He entered the ministry in 1959 and devoted more than five decades to serving Christ as an evangelist and pastor. He retired from active pastoral ministry in April 2012.
Around 1995, Dr. Cantrell and his beloved wife, Dr. Ina Kaye Cantrell, founded City Gate Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Together, they faithfully served the church and its congregation, establishing a ministry founded upon the Gospel of Jesus Christ, discipleship, evangelism, counseling, and missions.
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Dr. Cantrell earned a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree from Christian Life School of Theology and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Christian Counseling from Cornerstone University.
Throughout his years in ministry, Dr. Cantrell was involved in numerous areas of Christian service. For twenty-five years, he served as a certified teacher/trainer and associate clinical trainer with Evangelism Explosion, an international ministry dedicated to equipping Christians to share the message of salvation.
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Dr. Roy and Dr. Ina Kaye also had a deep commitment to missions. Together, they traveled to many nations, including Russia, Cyprus, Kenya, Guatemala, Cuba, Israel, and others, ministering to people and sharing the Gospel.
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Dr. Ina Kaye Cantrell earned her Doctor of Ministry (DMin) from Christian Life School of Theology and served alongside her husband as co-pastor. During their ministry at City Gate Church, Dr. Kaye founded and served as president of Life Management Institute, a certified institute of the National Christian Counseling Association.
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Upon Dr. Cantrell's retirement, the pastoral mantle of City Gate Church was passed to his son, Roy H. “Howie” Cantrell, president and founder of City Gate Church in Gallatin, Tennessee. Through this transition, the ministry established by Dr. Roy and Dr. Kaye continued into another generation.
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Dr. Roy H. Cantrell passed away and entered into glory on August 12, 2026.
He is remembered for his unwavering commitment to Christ, his love for people, his dedication to evangelism and missions, and his lifelong desire to see lives transformed through the Gospel.
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Dr. Ina Kaye Cantrell continues to serve as Pastor Emeritus of City Gate Church.
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A Legacy of Ministry
Dr. Cantrell was also an accomplished author. His published works include:
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Scars and Stripes: Hope for Adult Children of Alcoholic Families
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Sow Joy: It's a Choice
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Dancing on the Rubble: The Essence of Living
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Soul-ly Yours: Poems for the Soul
Dr. Roy and Dr. Ina Kaye Cantrell were married for sixty years. They were blessed with two adult children, five grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.
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Pastors Emeritus
Drs. Roy H. and Ina Kaye Goins Cantrell
The title Pastor Emeritus is an honorary designation given in recognition of faithful and distinguished service in pastoral ministry. While Dr. Roy H. Cantrell has now entered his eternal reward, City Gate Church continues to honor his life and ministry by remembering him as its Pastor Emeritus.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7
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Church Service Ministry Team
Mary Eidson
Sunday Morning Online Prayer Communications Liaison
Ken Eidson
Greeter Ministry
Caroline Newland
Church Photographer
