Lead Pastor
josh@embraceauburn.org
Josh is a native of Auburn and 1998 graduate of Auburn University. After six years of working in sales and marketing Josh sensed God calling him to pastoral ministry in the local church. He attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY where he graduated with a Masters of Divinity in 2008. Josh then served as an Associate Pastor and Campus Pastor at Cornerstone Church in Auburn, ultimately leading to the planting of Embrace Church in 2016. Josh is married to Leslie and they have three kids: Benjamin, Liza and Grace.

Worship & Creative Arts Minister
jon@embraceauburn.org
Jon led worship in various churches throughout the southeast after coming to know the Lord in 1997. After receiving an education degree from AUM and teaching for 8 years at Trinity Christian School in Opelika,AL, he sensed the Lord calling him into full time music ministry. Jon led worship both as a volunteer and on staff with Cornerstone Church before transitioning into his current role as worship leader for Embrace. He and his wife Kathy have three children: Mae, Sam and Lucy.

Student Minister
hillyer@embraceauburn.org
Josh Hillyer was born in Opelika, AL and grew up in the Auburn/Opelika area. He graduated from Auburn University in 2006 (B.A.) and 2008 (M.A.) then taught media and film courses at the University of Kentucky before working in children’s ministry at Southland Christian Church. He taught at Auburn University from 2013-2017 until God opened the door for him to become the Youth Minister here at Embrace. Josh is married to Sarah, and they have two daughters: Harbor and Zelda.

Children's Minister
beth@embraceauburn.org
Beth grew up in the New Orleans area and moved here in 2000 to attend Auburn University. Following graduation, she spent 8 years teaching elementary school locally before closing out her season of teaching to step into full-time ministry. Beth served as the Cornerstone Kids Site Director before transitioning to the role of Children’s Minister when Embrace Church was planted in 2016. Beth is married to Nic and they have three daughters: Avery, Ally Grace, and Annabelle.

Executive Administrator
candice@embraceauburn.org
Candice was born and raised in Richmond, VA and moved to Auburn in 2006. She joined our team with extensive administrative experience after managing Central Park Dental Care alongside her husband, Dr. Mark Summerford, for eight years. During that time, Candice felt the Lord leading her into vocational ministry and graduated from Highlands College with a certificate in Ministry Leadership. Candice and Mark have one daughter, Laynie.

Communications & Connections Coordinator
amanda@embraceauburn.org
Amanda is a native of Andalusia, AL and graduated from Auburn University with a BS in Nursing. Her family moved back to Auburn in 2011 and soon became part of the launch team for Embrace Church. The Lord called Amanda into ministry as a worship leader and into her current communication roles as she served within the Embrace family. She and her husband, Merrill, have two children: Anna Kate and Connor.

Production Coordinator
jonathan@embraceauburn.org
Jonathan is a graduate of Auburn University and brings many years of AV and production experience to his role at Embrace. His background also includes several years on the staff team of Cornerstone Church where he managed the production of their worship gatherings. Jonathan and his wife, Sarah, have two children: Chaney and Charlie.

Assistant Children’s Minister
jordan@embraceauburn.org
Jordan is from Wilmore, KY and graduated from Asbury University in 2013. Her family moved to Auburn in 2023 and quickly made Embrace their church home. Jordan previously served on staff at Southland Christian Church in Nicholasville, KY where she helped develop children’s ministry curriculum and trained leaders across their five campuses. She and her husband, Ethan, have four children: Jonah, Silas, Norah, and Mae.

Assistant Children’s Minister
ddsmith@embraceauburn.org
D.D. was born in Alexander City and moved to Auburn in 2002. She graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Over the past seven years, she has been serving with Embrace Grace and Women's Hope ministries in Auburn. D.D. is married to Jason and they have two children: Dean and Robin.

Children’s Ministry Intern
campbell@embraceauburn.org
Campbell is a 2024 graduate of Auburn University, where she majored in Journalism with a focus on sports production with minors in counseling and sports coaching. She is now taking classes to obtain a Master of Arts in Christian Ministries at Asbury Theological Seminary.