Bryan Robbins – Lead Pastor / Elder
Email: bryan.robbins@steadfastavl.org
Originally from Tampa, FL, I’ve called Asheville home since 1990. After graduating from UNC-Asheville in '04, I joined the staff of a local church and later developed and led a mission of that church before teaming up with Kurt Hannah to plant Missio Dei in 2007. I’ve served as an elder and even the worship pastor here before becoming the lead pastor in 2010.
I’m privileged to be the husband of Christina, whom I met in my high school chemistry class. We were married in 2003 and have three children: Elijah, Sophia, and Ezra. In my spare time, I enjoy playing in the yard with my kids, or tinkering on my motorcycle.
Larry Shingler- Spiritual Formation Pastor / Elder
Email: larry.shingler@steadfastavl.org
I was raised in north Florida, moved to Tallahassee to attend college where I met and married my wife Mary. We have two married sons and four precious granddaughters. In our spare time we enjoy art, history, travel, hiking, kayaking, just about anything outdoors.
Before coming to Missio Dei in the fall of 2018, I’ve had the privilege of serving two church communities in Tallahassee and Orlando, Florida. My ministry experience includes leadership development, community outreach and intentional discipleship.
My greatest passion is to encourage Christ followers to see themselves through the lens of the gospel, embrace their calling for the sake of advancing Christ’s Kingdom and replicating His image in the lives of others.
Sam Bennett - Pastor of Community Life & Operations
I am an engineering graduate of Western Carolina University where I met the love of my life, Jodie. God has blessed us with 3 children: Andrew, Katie & Heather, and 2 grandchildren Ezra & Asher.
After college, I worked at Champion International Paper Company for 17 years. In 2007, I accepted the Lord’s calling into ministry as the Administrative Pastor of Bent Creek Baptist Church in Asheville, North Carolina. I received 2 seminary degrees, MA Christian Counseling Psychology and MA Theology from Southwest Bible College & Seminary. In October 2022, Bent Creek Baptist Church voted to merge with Missio Dei Church to form a new church, Steadfast Church. It is now my privilege to serve this beautiful church family.
Being a native of WNC, I enjoy God’s creation of the Blue Ridge Mountains by hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, and mountain biking.
Matt Beckler - Director of Worship & Communications
Email: matt.beckler@steadfastavl.org
I grew up in Chicago in an amazing, gospel centered home, where the worship of God “in all things” was exemplified by my parents. I moved to Nashville in 1999 to pursue my dream of making music where I met my beautiful wife, Tiffany.
After many years of traveling & performing, God called me into vocational local church ministry, and he has been gracious in allowing me to lead in music & worship roles for the past 10 years. In June of 2022, Tiffany, our son, Charlie, and I were extremely excited to make the long journey from Columbus, Ohio, to join the staff of Missio Dei Church in Asheville. As a couple, we are extremely passionate about seeing lives changed by the power of the Gospel. Some favorite family activities include: listening to & playing music, art, urban hikes, country drives, and good coffee.
Kristen Burt – Steadfast Kids Ministry Director
Email: kristen.burt@steadfastavl.org
I originally grew up in Hendersonville, NC and attended Elon University. During the summers in college, I served as a camp counselor at Camp Tekoa, where my husband Michael and I eventually met. We were married in the summer of 2006 and I served in campus ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Through the ministry of Greek InterVarsity, I helped train and equip student leaders to lead Bible studies in their fraternities and sororities; first at Purdue University and eventually on campuses all across the country.
We moved back to North Carolina in 2011 and eventually relocated to Hendersonville in 2020. We especially like to drive and hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our two children, Silas and Eliza, are always up for doing outdoor activities. My family and I are blessed to call Missio Dei our church home, and it is an honor to serve as the Director of Missio Kids.
Hannah Manning - Director of Engagement/Assistant to Pastor
Email: hannah.manning@steadfastavl.org
I am originally from Knoxville, TN and attended college at Auburn University in Alabama. There I met my husband Marc, and we got married right after college in 2011. Since then we have moved various places including, Tennessee, Georgia & New Hampshire. Marc and I have two wild and crazy little ones. We are so happy to be back in the south and especially in Asheville. We came to Missio one of the first weekends we moved here and have been here ever since. It is a privilege to call Missio our church home and serve this community.
Dawn Steed- Financial & Office Administrator
Email: dawn.steed@steadfastavl.org
I was born and raised in Kentucky where I graduated from Centre College. I met my husband, Ryan, while we both studied abroad in London during college. We moved around for his graduate and post-graduate training, adding our three children to our family along the way.
In 2016, we moved to North Carolina for Ryan’s job teaching at UNC-Asheville, and found fast friends in our early weeks visiting Missio Dei. I am excited to serve the ministries of Missio Dei. In my spare time, you can usually find me listening to podcasts, decorating my home, or trying out new recipes to cook.
Jimi Branch - Biblical Counselor/Elder
I was born and raised in Asheville, NC and have been married to my wife, Renee, also an Asheville native, for 27 years. We have a 20 year old daughter, who is currently in college. We began attending Missio in 2012 and joined in 2014. I studied at Fruitland Bible College and Liberty University.
Over the last 25 years I have worked with youth and young adult ministry while also organizing evangelism outreaches involving BMX Bikes and Skateboards. Outside of Missio, I work as a Biomedical Equipment Technician for Patterson Dental Company. I love having opportunities to reach out with the Gospel to anyone who will listen. I enjoy anything to do with guitars anhanging out with family, friends, and my skate/BMX community.
Ryan Krishnan - Elder
Although raised in Northern Utah, I moved to Asheville in 2006 for a job with the goal of saving enough money to buy a guitar! I learned to play guitar when I was 12, and have been leading worship at youth group, summer camp, and churches for more than 20 years now. I came to Missio Dei Church shortly after it launched in 2008 and immediately found a place to exercise my gifts in the worship ministry. Over the course of the past 11 years I have had the opportunity to lead one of our worship bands, oversee the Worship Arts ministry as a deacon, and as of 2019 as Pastor/Elder.
Outside of Missio Dei, I am a Construction/Remodel Contractor. My wife Meredith and I live in Cane Creek with our dogs Ruby & Jordy. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, cooking, eating/drinking, and home improvement projects!
Mark Knox - Elder
I was born and raised in Ohio before living for about 25 years in Florida. After vacationing in these mountains, my wife and I finally moved to western North Carolina in 2009, officially making us “half-backs.” Carolyn and I met while we were students at Miami Christian College. We raised two sons and have a daughter-in-law and two lovely granddaughters.
After 3 years of Bible college, I transferred and graduated from Ashland University with a B.A. in religion and philosophy. I’ve been a youth pastor, worship pastor, a public school teacher, and now am the Director of Guest Experiences at the Chick-fil-A in Hendersonville.
We began attending Missio in 2015 and are committed to the community of believers we find here. My passion is for the teaching and preaching of the Bible, and I long to see those truths “take root downward and bear fruit upward.” (Isaiah 37:31)
I enjoy travel with my wife, hiking, photography, and Cleveland sports.
Ministry Team Leaders
Josh Fisk - Audio Team
David Lindrum - Missions Team (Deacon)
David Thorneloe & Jonah Warren - Shepherd Team
Ryan Steed - Visual Team