Our Team
Pastor Johnny Childers is currently serving as the Senior Pastor of Living Waters Church. He graduated from Knott County Central High School in 1984 and attended Alice Lloyd college from 1984-1987. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Pastoral Leadership. He married Elizabeth A. Couch in 1987 and have four wonderful children, Zachary and wife Bekka, Micah and Jadyn.
His experience includes over 25 years with the Church of God Ministry based in Cleveland, TN with the majority of those years serving as a senior pastor. He has had seven years experience in administrative work with the International and State Executive offices. Due to his service in these areas, he has been connected to multiple city, state and national leaders.
He is recognized first and foremost as the Lead Pastor of Living Waters Church and as a respected leader in the Marion County community.
Pastor Johnny and Beth Childers
Pastor Nick is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God based out of Cleveland, TN and brings 20 years of ministry experience to Living Waters Church. Raised in a pastor’s home, he developed a deep love for the local church early on and has dedicated his life to serving others through preaching, leadership and pastoral care. Over the years, he has served in a variety of ministry roles, including Children’s Pastor, Youth Pastor and Worship Pastor. He serves as the Fine Arts and Youth Pastor at Living Waters Church, overseeing SHIFT Youth as well as music, sound, lighting and media.
Pastor Nick Holt
Danelle Essary is our Director of Children’s Ministry and is first and foremost a Jesus loving child of God.
In 2020, with the love of her life, Jarred, she moved from Texas to sunny Florida, where they feel right at home. They have been married 25 years, and have 2 amazing adult daughters, who were homeschooled by Danelle most of their lives. Throughout the years, she has served in children’s and youth ministries, both through her church and leading homeschool organizations. Now that her children are each grown and thriving in their God given calling, she has stepped in to dedicate her time guiding kids in Glow Kids ministry at Living Waters. Her focus is to walk beside parents and caregivers to see their children know Jesus personally, and step boldly into His purpose for their lives. With a deep awareness of the urgency of these days we are living in, she is committed to raising up kids who are grounded in truth, equipped with God’s Word, and unshaken by the world around them. It is her mission that children know eternity with their Heavenly Father matters more than anything this world can offer.
One of her favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Danelle Essary
Pastor Freddy Valencia leads Aguas Vivas, the Spanish congregation of Living Waters Church, alongside his wife, Marissa. High school sweethearts from Wellington, Florida, Freddy and Marissa were married in 2001 and have two children, Emily (22) and Roman (18).
Their journey into ministry began after a powerful encounter with God in 2010, which led them to Living Waters Church. That same year, Freddy began preaching, and in 2011, he was appointed pastor of Aguas Vivas. He was officially credentialed by the Church of God in 2012.
Since then, Pastor Freddy and Marissa have faithfully served the Aguas Vivas community, passionately ministering to Spanish-speaking families and individuals with a heart for spiritual renewal, unity, and transformation through the love of Christ.