Leadership

Alex and Kate Chatman are both Pennsylvania natives. They met in college and shortly after graduating from Slippery Rock University, they were married that September in 1988. By December of that year, Alex was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. After completing The Basic School, they moved to Pensacola, Florida to begin Flight School. Alex received his wings in May 1991 and then moved to Irvine California. This was the first of six duty stations in their twenty-four-year journey. During their career they raised two young men (one of which is now a Marine as well and the other a Government worker in the DC area). Alex retired from Active Duty in December of 2012 and began working as a government civilian. Now after eleven years, he will retire to pursue full time ministry. Alex and Kate have been faithful members at Pillar Church in Dumfries since 2007 and have served the church in whatever capacity they could. Alex has served as an Elder, Chief Financial Officer, and Youth Pastor in their time at Pillar Dumfries. Now both are looking forward to what God has in store for them in Crestview, Florida.

Noah is a second-generation church planter. Watching his parents help plant many churches primarily in the Washington, DC area gave him a real heart and desire to see the Great Commission be fulfilled through the local church. Shortly after giving his life to Christ at 17, he felt a calling into ministry and began serving on staff at Pillar Church of Dumfries. While on staff, he served a short term stint with the International Mission Board in the Middle East. After returning to the States, he entered into Pillar’s Church Planting Residency and enrolled at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, pursuing a degree in Pastoral Ministry. During his time at Pillar Dumfries, he fell in love with a beautiful scientist named Mahala. She has a deep desire to serve the Lord, and with two brothers who serve as United States Marines, has a soft spot for the military. She graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science. The Clifton's were married in March 2023. Mahala serves as one of the worship leaders at Pillar Church of Crestview. They both have a lot of experience with the Praetorian Project and their mission to serve military service members and their families. 

Matthew is a graphic designer from Breezewood, PA who has been a member of Pillar Church of Dumfries since 2016. Before attending Pillar Church, Matthew attained his B.S. in Graphic Design and a minor in Youth Ministry from Liberty University and a B.S. in Computer Animation from Full Sail University. Matthew has served in numerous youth ministries when living in Maryland, as well as served as an interim youth pastor for a year at a church he attended in Waynesboro, PA. Matthew served in many ministries at Pillar Church of Dumfries including AV, Music, Young Adult, Children’s and Youth ministry alongside Alex. Matthew has helped with another Pillar church plant when he spent a year helping launch Pillar Church of Stafford and has come to fully embrace the mission of being part of a family of churches that plant themselves in military communities worldwide. Matthew married Virginia native, Victoria, in May of 2022. Victoria serves as one of the worship leaders at Pillar Church of Crestview. She has a heart for starting ministries and desires to see people respond to the call of Christ in their life and to grow and develop mature, thriving relationships with Jesus. She became a member of Pillar Church of Dumfries in 2022 and loves the mission of Pillar and the Praetorian project as many in her family are service members. Matthew and Victoria both love music and singing praises to God but love most seeing people come to know Jesus as their personal Savior.