MEET THE TEAM

[steve & dawn Hassell]

Pastor Steve Hassell served on the pastoral staff at Community Church Western Branch Campus in Chesapeake Virginia for over 25 years. During those years, he served as a Zone Pastor, Elder, and Lead Pastor of the Young Adult Ministry, Compass. He held other positions such as the Director of Operations, Director of the Community Group Network and Technical Arts Pastor. Pastor Steve also serves as the Captain of the Chaplains’ Unit for the Portsmouth Police Department. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and a Master of Arts in Practical Ministry from Freedom Bible College and Seminary. He is currently a Doctoral Student at Trinity College of the Bible and Seminary working on his DRS (Doctor of Religious Studies) in Church Planting and Church Reconciliation.

In 2016, Pastor Steve left Community Church and began a journey together with his wife, Dawn to plant and launch Thrive Church. They have a vision to help people thrive and become everything God intended for them to be.

Pastor Steve and Dawn were high school sweethearts. They were married in 1979. They have two adult children, Travis and Megan, and currently have three grandchildren. They also have a dog named Roxy who is a big part of their lives these days.

[JON & JOHNNA DOUGHTIE]

Pastor Jon serves as the Executive Pastor at Thrive. Jon and Johnna have a heart for small groups, and have been servant leaders of a small group for over eighteen years. Johnna serves on the AVL Team, running presentations, and also steps right into almost any area she is called to help serve. Jon is ordained through the Acts 2 Network.

Jon and Johnna first met in 1984 and married in Portsmouth in 1986. They helped raise a nephew, and have a heart for broken and blended families, as well as families hurt by substance abuse.

Jon has worked in the broadcast industry since 1984, first in radio, then in television. Currently a producer/director at WTVZ channel 33, he is an admitted “tech-head” who also loves music. He has played the saxophone and keyboards since childhood. Johnna is a licensed practical nurse with Virginia Oncology Associates. She loves sewing, especially creating quilts.

Jon and Johnna have always had pets. The current menagerie includes two dachshunds, Roscoe and Penny, and their Siamese-mix cat, Missy. As with all pet lovers, their time at home together is spent in part catering to and spoiling their critters!

[jay & holly anderson]

Pastor Jay is our Facilities manager and Director of Guest Services. Holly is the church Executive Assistant. Jay and Holly have served in a variety of areas for 20-plus years as well as leading small groups. Pastor Jay received his ordination in 1997 through the PFWB Church and is currently ordained through the Acts 2 Network. He also has a bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia. He retired from Newport News Shipbuilding after 38 years. Holly has served on several church administrative staffs since 1990.

Jay and Holly were married in June of 1982 in Richmond, Virginia. They have two daughters, one son, three grandsons, and one granddaughter. They enjoy spending time with family and friends, spoiling their grandchildren and traveling.

[David “Rabbit” & Caroline Barnes]

Rabbit and Caroline met while serving in the Navy, beginning over four decades of their marriage adventure. Rabbit is a welder at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Caroline is now a Nurse Informaticist and has worked for years with the military’s health system. Rabbit was ordained and licensed as a minister in 1997 after sitting under the discipleship of two incredible, Godly mentors, Pastor Dean and Shirley Harvey. Rabbit and Caroline have served in numerous Christian organizations including several home ministries, Christ is the Answer, Youth with a Mission, Agape Force, Teen Mania, Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts, Christian Motorcycle Association, Crown Financial, Financial Peace University, and others. They are very blessed with four adult children - Joshua, Jonathan, Micah, and Katrina. Rabbit’s gift is serving and teaching others; he is Thrive’s Pastoral Care/Discipleship Pastor. Caroline’s passion includes teaching, evangelism, and reaching out to the local community with her new Little Free Library that includes classics and other wholesome Christian child and adult materials. As to how David became ‘RevnRab’ - stop and ask them, it is a very funny story.

[MIKE & KIM DURANT]

Pastor Mike Durant served on staff at Community Church Western Branch Campus in Chesapeake, Virginia as a Section Pastor. He also served there as a Small Group Leader for many years. After leading small groups for 23 years, he now serves as the Group Pastor at Thrive Church. He attended Providence Bible College and Theological Seminary. Pastor Mike is ordained through the Acts 2 Network. 

 Mike and Kim met while both attending and serving at Western Branch Community Church. In July 2009, they married and blended their families into one. Mike and Kim have four adult children, Samantha, Danielle, Victoria and Brittany, and one grandson, King. 

 Mike and Kim began leading Small Groups together in 2009, and currently lead an Adult group and a Young Adult group. Their calling is to lead Small Groups and they have a heart for divorced and blended families.