Our Staff

John McLendon - Senior Pastor
John@godwhy.com

I have been in full time ministry for 29 years. I graduated from Trevecca college with a degree in biblical studies and received my masters degree from Fuller Theological Seminary (there will be a short pause for those who want to says, so). Vastly more important than that, I love people and want you to have an opportunity to ask questions and get answers to who God is, how He is working in the world and know that He truly does love you. I am a communicator not a preacher. I will combine life situations and Biblical truth with humor, animation, and sincerity. Religion made me cranky, prideful and judgmental but I am getting over that. I found real faith expresses itself in openness, honesty and love. I assure you I do not have it all together but after years of relationship with Christ I have some good news and I would love to have an opportunity to share it with you. 'Til we meet in person.
Pastor John

 (Click here for my current book list)

J.D. Wiggins - Creative Arts Pastor
jdw@godwhy.com

J.D. began playing music professionally at age 17, while still in high school. After graduation, he studied music and drama at Oklahoma University, in Norman, OK and Central State University, in Edmond, OK. When, at age 31, J.D. committed his life to serving God, he started on a journey which took him to the Vineyard Church, in Oklahoma City where he quickly became the Musical Director and later the Worship Leader at a new Vineyard Church, in Guthrie, OK. In 1993, J.D. and his family moved to Nashville

Mark Lancaster - Youth Pastor
Mark@gotgas.org

I am so honored to be the youth pastor for GodWhy Hendersonville, and the G.A.S. Station! I believe in being “real”, I believe that only by being “real”, can you truly minister to the hearts of those around us. I am by no means perfect (nobody is, and nobody ever was, except for Jesus Christ), but I am also on this incredible journey, and the most awesome adventure there is…a personal relationship with Jesus Christ! I found this to be true in the summer of 1999, when I lost everything to my own selfish desires and overindulgence of drugs, alcohol, and a broken marriage. It is by the grace of God, and his faithfulness that my life is where it is today. I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. I’ve got some fantastic “God Stories” to tell, and that is the greatest part of all of it. The Big Adventure…that’s what I’m talking about!
God Bless!
Mark Lancaster

 Willie Acevedo - Pastoral Care & Missions
Willie@godwhy.com

My name is Willie Acevedo and I am the Associate Pastor here at GodWhy. I  was born on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, but at the age of 3 my 9  brothers and sisters along with my mother joined my father who was already  working in the U.S.A.  I grew up in the inner- city of Bridgeport, Connecticut and life was not easy at times but God always provided. After I finished high school I moved to southern Florida where I attended Southeastern University and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Education.  This is also where I met my beautiful wife, Kim. After graduation Kim and I were married and moved to Hendersonville, Tennessee where she was from. After a few years of marriage we felt a call on our lives to serve as missionaries to Guatemala Central America. We were live- in parents at an orphanage there and served for 3 years before moving back to Hendersonville. My degree was in education but no ne of the jobs in that field ever felt right.  I worked at several mental health facilities in the Sumner County area before I was asked to come on as the Administrative Pastor at the Hendersonville Chapel.  I along with my wife Kim and our three daughters attended the Hendersonville Chapel for 29 years prior to our merger with GodWhy, which I am very excited and encouraged by.  Since I always had a passion and a special place in my heart for missions, I feel my place at GodWhy is perfect. We are very excited as a family to have the opportunity to serve and to help those who might be in the process of examing the claims of Christ.  It is also a great privilege for me to serve along side the staff and members at GodWhy.

Josh Wooten - Childrens Pastor
josh@godwhy.com

Pastor Josh is a product of the GodWhy ministry. He gave his life to Christ, began using his gifts of music and service with both adults and kids the year the church was founded. As the years went by it was obvious God was doing great things through this young man. His passion for God and his incredible gift of communicating God’s truth to kids was so evident that when the position for Children’s pastor opened it was unanimous that Josh was the man to lead our Kids Ministry. Pastor Scott Chevalier of Powerhouse Ministries (www.powerhouse.org) who’s organization places him in public school assemblies, retreats and conferences speaking; after sitting in to evaluate our curriculum said “the curriculum is great but the young man you have leading it is your most valuable asset”. 

Jennifer Mazzola - Strategic Initiatives Pastor
TheNet@godwhy.com

"Why should I go to a church when I can just do the Christian thing on my own?" That was one of the first questions that Jennifer had that kept her from being involved in any faith community. Now, Jennifer Mazzola is one of our newest editions to the GodWhy staff. Being in ministry for over eight years, and a graduate of Vanderbilt University with her Master's in Theological Studies, Jennifer has a passion to see lives change through relationships and community and a drive to get people connected. A proud mother of two and married to an amazing guy, Sal, Jennifer tries to keep her life going in a healthy direction, but now realizes she can't do it on her own. Jennifer has commited her life to exploring the claims and leadership style of Christ, and to showing people that we can't just do this Christian thing on our own. So, what's your question?