Rev. Dr. Matthew B. Hastings
Lead Pastor
Ordained Elder; HCN Staff member since 2022.
Matt has spent three decades in pastoral ministry, serving his first decade as a youth pastor and then as a lead pastor for the past twenty. He also serves as an adjunct professor in the School of Religion at Trevecca Nazarene University, where both he and his wife, Keri, earned their degrees.
Matt and Keri have five children: Bailee and her husband Matthew Davis, parents of Brooks and Margot; Emily and her husband Evan Clemons, parents of Ronan and Lola); Matt Jr., Will, and Emmett.
Pastor Matt is committed to transparent pastoral ministry and to helping the church live out an authentic faith in Jesus Christ.
Matt and Keri have five children: Bailee and her husband Matthew Davis, parents of Brooks and Margot; Emily and her husband Evan Clemons, parents of Ronan and Lola); Matt Jr., Will, and Emmett.
Pastor Matt is committed to transparent pastoral ministry and to helping the church live out an authentic faith in Jesus Christ.
Hope Deyoung
Executive Office Administrator
hcn staff member since 2026
Originally from Lakeland, Florida, Hope moved to Nashville to pursue a degree in Psychology at Trevecca. She became an active member at HCN her freshmen year. Upon graduation in May of 2024, Hope stayed in Nashville to work at Trevecca full-time. Hope got married to Matthew DeYoung in December 2025. She is excited to join the HCN staff in this new season of life.
Rev. Laura Neumar
Worship Pastor
HCN Staff member since 2024
Holding a bachelor’s degree in worship arts and a master’s degree in organizational leadership, Laura brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to Hermitage Church. Laura is a gifted musician, vocalist, and spirit-filled worship leader. She has been a Chapel Worship Mentor and a PR Band Coach for Trevecca as well as serving as a Worship Pastor for 6 years in Nashville. Laura’s husband, Jake, is a singer-songwriter and producer in Nashville. Laura and Jake have one child, Eloise.
Rev. Jennifer Neely
Community Life Pastor
Ordained Elder; HCN Staff member since 2019
Jennifer “Jenn” Neely has been at Hermitage Church for 26 years. She came on the pastoral staff in March 2019, serving as the Middle School Pastor. She brings high energy, deep faith, and 20 years of experience working with university students as they identify and reach their life goals. Jenn was a licensed therapist, and her greatest calling is to walk with people of all ages, challenging them and pointing them to Jesus as they become whole and holy beings. Beginning in 2022, Jenn began serving as our Community Life Pastor. This role provides connection points for all ages, supporting and elevating the HCN values of hospitality, discipleship, and relationship building. Jenn is married to Kris and fondly known as "momma" to her sons Wyatt and Benton.
Rev. Evan Clemons
Young Adult Pastor
HCN Staff member since 2024.
Evan serves as the Benson Hall Resident Director and Spiritual Life Coordinator at Trevecca Nazarene University while also investing in the life and ministry of our church. He is passionate about helping people encounter Jesus, building authentic community, and growing into the people God has called them to be. Evan and his wife, Emily, have two young children, Ronan and Lola, and love doing life together as a family. When he’s not working, you can usually find him playing drums or guitar, fishing, writing, or tackling a new home project.
Rev. Dawson Bush
Student Ministries Pastor
District Licensed; Joined HCN Staff in August of 2023.
Dawson Bush is a long-time member of Hermitage Church of the Nazarene and has been on staff since 2023, holding a degree in Religion from Trevecca Nazarene University. Dawson loves student ministry and enjoys preaching, leading small groups, helping students grow in their faith, and hosting the occasional student trivia night. He believes that students will do so much for the Kingdom of God in the future and knows they are active participants in the gospel today.
Rev. Melissa Holder
Elementary Ministries Pastor
District Licensed; HCN Staff member since 2021.
Melissa has been part of the Church of the Nazarene all her life and felt called to ministry as a teenager. She is passionate about ministering to children and families and providing a space for them to experience the love of Jesus. She believes children are an important part of the Church and loves creating opportunities for them to grow in faith.
Melissa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Trevecca Nazarene University. Before serving in children’s ministry, she worked as a social worker with children, an experience that continues to shape her passion for caring for children and families and fostering a safe, welcoming environment where every child feels known, valued, and loved.
Outside of ministry, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Randy, and their four children.
Melissa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Trevecca Nazarene University. Before serving in children’s ministry, she worked as a social worker with children, an experience that continues to shape her passion for caring for children and families and fostering a safe, welcoming environment where every child feels known, valued, and loved.
Outside of ministry, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Randy, and their four children.
Hayleigh Stevens
Preschool Ministries Director
HCN Staff member since 2026.
With her own two children of preschool age and years of experience in caring for young children, Hayleigh brings a knowledge of toddler language, Ms. Rachel, and handling major meltdowns to the table. She is a mom by day and a mom by night with a past in pediatric nursing. Safety and teaching the love of Jesus to the smallest members of the church are her main priorities.
Rev. Bailee Hastings Davis
Parents Day Out Director
Ordained Elder; hcn Staff member since 2026.
Bailee Hastings Davis is a preacher, pastor, teacher, wife, mom, and friend. She is married to Matthew Davis and has two children, Brooks and Margot. She graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Studies and a minor in Creative Writing. Bailee is passionate about bringing people together across cultures and generations, helping the Church grow in unity, belonging and authentic faith.
Don Hastings
Chapel Worship Minister of Music
HCN Staff member since 2022.
Don Hastings has over 50 years of experience leading worship and directing choirs in the Church of the Nazarene. He and his wife, B.K., are graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University. They have two children, Missi and her husband Brian Schmelzenbach; Matt and his wife Keri Hastings; seven grandchildren and three great-grandsons. Don is the Engagement Officer for Planned Giving and Senior Adult Engagement at Trevecca.
Mark Knapp
AV Team Leader
HCN Staff member since 2026.
Mark serves as the AV Leader at Hermitage Church, where he oversees audio, media, and production for worship services and church events. He graduated from Trevecca with a degree in Music Leadership & Audio Engineering and has a passion for using his skills to create meaningful environments where people can encounter God. Outside of ministry and music, Mark enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to local coffee shops, collecting movies, trying new food and growing in his faith. He is also engaged to his beautiful fiancée, Elizabeth Parvin, and is excited for this next chapter of life together!
Rev. Ramón and Rev. Alma Rosa Gonzalez
Pastors of Iglesia del Nazareno Betel Hermitage
Ordained Elders
Ramón and Alma Rosa lead HCN’s Hispanic Congregation. They are gifted communicators with hearts for evangelism. They desire that our Hispanic neighbors find HCN to be a place where they can worship and be discipled in Christ. They have two children, Diana Moore and Issac, and one son-in-law,
Samuel Moore.
Samuel Moore.