our leaders
Hope Butcher
worship pastor
Hope grew up in a minister's home, the fourth generation in her family called into full-time ministry. She spent her childhood with her parents and two sisters in Atlanta, GA, Knoxville, TN, and Portsmouth, RI. She studied music from a young age and has developed a wide range of musical interests.
Hope married Josh Butcher in 2004 and they have four young children (Lex, Cole, Ava, and Truitt). They moved to Chesapeake in 2010 to serve on staff at Vertical Church.
kelly owens
Connections pastor
Kelly grew up in Lakeland, FL, a small town between Orlando and Tampa. Three of her great loves are school, music and travel and she has spent most of her life doing all three. She has degrees in music, education and graduated from seminary in 2009. Shortly after graduation, Kelly and Brian moved their family to Chesapeake.
Kelly and Brian have been married since 2003. They have five children, Belle, Ashton, Tyler, Hayden, and Lexi. As usual, Kelly is planning their next big travel adventure.
brian owens
lead organizational pastor
Brian comes from a strong faith tradition; both sets of his grandparents served in pastoral ministry for many years. Having grown up in Anderson, SC, Brian graduated college, seminary and master-level administrative training in Tennessee. Brian has served in several management and ministry positions before.
Brian married Kelly in 2003, and they are proud of their five kids, Belle, Ashton, Tyler, Hayden, and Lexi. Brian loves to travel with his family, who keep him constantly on the go!
josh Butcher
lead teaching pastor
Josh grew up in the metropolis of Chapmanville, WV (pop. 1,250). After graduating from seminary, Josh served as a student pastor in Tennessee. In 2010, he and his family moved to Chesapeake, VA to join the staff at Vertical Church, becoming the Lead Teaching Pastor in July 2011.
Josh has been married to Hope (see above) since 2004. They have three boys (Lex, Cole and Truitt) and a girl (Ava).
