Our Leadership

  • Close-up of a smiling man and woman posing together outdoors, background of glass windows and a modern building.

    Randall Popham

    Senior Pastor

    Randall Popham, a Georgia native, was saved, called to ministry, married, and ordained at First Baptist Church of Woodstock, GA. After graduating from Etowah High School in 1991, he married Dana in 1994, and they attended North Greenville University, where he earned a B.A. in Christian Studies. In 2003, he completed a Master of Divinity in Evangelism and Church Planting from Southern Seminary. Randall has served as Youth Minister in two churches in Greenville, SC, High School Youth Pastor and Associate Pastor at First Baptist Hendersonville, NC, and, since 2005, as Lead Pastor at Lanier Hills Church in Gainesville, GA. He and Dana have four adult children.

  • A smiling woman with long wavy brown hair and a woman with a big smile, wearing a black cap, at a stadium event with people sitting on bleachers in the background.

    Dan Tucker

    Youth & College Pastor

    Dan joined Lanier Hills in August of 2019. He has been married to his wife Courtney since 2009. They have two children, Emmy and Aaron. Dan is a graduate of Covington Theological Seminary and holds a Bachelor’s in Ministry. Originally from Chattanooga, TN, he and Courtney have served in student ministry in Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Charleston, SC! Dan loves spending time with his family, hanging with students, football, and basketball…and bleeds orange for the Tennessee Volunteers.

  • A smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a rust-colored sweater standing outdoors with trees and a fence in the background during late afternoon sunlight.

    Julie Bowmar

    Children’s Minister & Growth Group Director

    Julie was born and raised in Gainesville, GA. She graduated from North Hall High School and earned her Bachelor’s degree from Brenau University. She continued her studies and received her education degree from Piedmont College before beginning her career as an educator. For over 20 years, she has enjoyed teaching children from ages 4 to 18. Julie and Chad have 3 young adult grown children. Julie began attending Lanier Hills Church in 2009 and joined the staff in 2011. She is passionate about pointing the next generation to Jesus and helping people of all ages grow in their walk with Jesus as they discover their gifts and talents and find their place and purpose in the body of Christ.

  • A man and woman standing outdoors on grass in front of trees, smiling and leaning on each other.

    Kerstin Brown

    Nursery + Preschool Director

    Kerstin was raised in Gainesville and graduated from Chestatee High School in 2012. She then attended college at Berry College in Rome, GA where she met her husband, Colton, shortly before graduating and returning to Gainesville in 2016. Colton and Kerstin joined Lanier Hills in February 2017 and were married later that year. They currently have a one year old son, Declan, with hopes to continue growing their family in the future. Kerstin has served with the nursery and preschool at Lanier Hills for several years, and recently took over as Director in 2024. In her (very little) free time, Kerstin loves spending time with family and friends, and reading.  

  • A smiling couple standing outdoors near a lake with mountains and trees in the background, during the daytime.

    Jessica Johnston

    Worship Leader

    Jessica was born and raised in Georgia and moved to the Hall Co area when she was in middle school. She met her husband Cory when he started working for Cargill in the Hall Co area and has since had the opportunity to work at and relocate with Cargill in North Carolina and Iowa before relocating back to her home in 2019, along with Cory and their 3 girls O’Raylia (Raylee), Harper, and Ellie Jo. Jessica joined the staff officially in Jan 2024. She has always been passionate and involved in worship ministry in some capacity most her life, but has only recently felt called into leadership since attending and serving at Lanier Hills. Outside of worship, Jessica enjoys spending time with family, hosting and hanging out with friends, going to concerts, and hiking with Cory and her girls, along with her new puppy Diesel!

  • A middle-aged woman with black hair and light skin standing outdoors in front of colorful autumn leaves. She is wearing a navy blue dress, a beaded necklace with a tassel, and earrings.

    Judy Hulsey

    Pastoral Care Director

    Judy was born in Hall County. She is married to Jack Hulsey. They are charter members of Lanier Hills. Judy has a 4-year degree in Leadership and Administration from Grace Bible Institute. Children are the love of her life. She also enjoys running and spending time with her two grandchildren.

  • A smiling couple standing on a rocky summit with a scenic mountain and valley landscape behind them.

    Scott Soper

    Director of Administration

    Scott has attended LHC since 2010 and volunteered in many capacities before his role as Director of Administration. Scott and Marianna are blessed with a blended family of eight amazing, young adult children. Outside of Lanier Hills, Scott serves as the Executive Director of Straight Street Ministries. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, mountain biking, camping, and hunting.

  • A family of three smiling outdoors during a gathering; a woman holding a young girl dressed in a colorful tutu, and a man with a beard wearing a baseball cap standing beside them.

    Courtney Tucker

    Hospitality + First Impressions Director

    Courtney was born and raised in Alabama where she went to college and met Dan, her husband. They have been married since 2009 and have always been involved in youth and other church ministries. She and Dan have a spirited daughter ‘Emmy’ and a busy toddler ‘Aaron’. Courtney enjoys good food, good coffee, crafting, reading, and movies.

  • A smiling man and woman sitting on grass outdoors with a fluffy dog, backlit by a scenic landscape of rolling hills and trees in the background.

    Savannah Maxwell

    Media & Marketing Manager

    Savannah is a long time member of Lanier Hills Church, where she first began attending when she was 8 years old. From a young age, she has been involved in the church and now leads worship alongside her husband, Justin. She graduated from the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, where she met her husband. Savannah enjoys conversations over coffee, reading, watching movies, CrossFit, and spending time with her dog, Leia.

  • Portrait of a smiling woman with shoulder-length, wavy blonde hair, wearing a white top, sitting on a brown sofa with a beige wall background.

    Sandy Pinkham

    Office Administator

    Sandy Pinkham grew up in N.C., married in 1974, was saved in 1995, and moved to Gainesville in 2003. She has been the church secretary since August 2006. Before moving to Gainesville, she served as Administrative Secretary for the Director of Admissions at Georgia Southern Univ. in Statesboro, GA for 15 years. She is a Hospice Patient Volunteer 2003- present.

Elders

  • A happy couple sitting on a blanket in a grassy field during sunset, embracing and smiling at the camera.

    Scott Soper

  • A woman and a man standing together outdoors at night, with the woman wearing a pink beanie and tan boots, and the man wearing glasses and white sneakers, in front of a tree decorated with string lights.

    Joe Coulson

  • A smiling man with short, wavy brown hair and a beard, wearing a beige quilted jacket over a white shirt, standing next to a smiling woman with long black hair and a white top.

    Randall Popham

  • A man with a gray beard and short hair smiling outdoors, wearing a purple striped shirt.

    Kent Murphy

  • A happy couple stands outdoors in a park, smiling at the camera. The woman holds an ultrasound photo, and the man is embracing her. A large tree is in the background.

    Justin Maxwell

  • A smiling man with glasses and a beard standing next to a smiling woman with glasses and long red hair, holding a framed certificate or award, in a social event setting.

    Jonathan Nix