Eddie Suttles
Lead Pastor

Pastor Eddie Suttles has a tremendous passion for God’s word coupled with a love for God’s people. He has a contagious spirit of compassion that flows through every facet of his ministry. Pastor Suttles obediently fulfills his calling from God as Pastor of The Grove.

Pastor Suttles gave his life to Christ in 1980 and became actively involved with activities throughout the church including, but not limited to, teaching.  Five years later he was called into the ministry of preaching.  During this time he continued his then-current position at La-Z-boy Manufacturing Company where he had worked for almost 17 years in several key management positions.  Pastor Suttles continued preaching at local churches as well as his home church, Walnut Grove.\\In 1995, he was appointed Senior Pastor of Walnut Grove Church, yet continued to work bi-vocationally until he was led to leave his job and enter into full time ministry in July of 1999.   Soon after, Pastor Suttles began his studies at Lee University, a private, Christian-centered, liberal arts university located in Cleveland, Tennessee.  

Under the leadership of Pastor Suttles, Walnut Grove has added a new sanctuary and a gym to its structures as well as several ministries including Missions, Prayer Force, AWANA, PowerSurge, Refuge, and Generation-to-Generation.  He is currently leading the church into new realms of renewal and spiritual awakening signified by a new church name—The Grove.    

Serving beside Pastor Suttles is his dedicated wife, Diane.  Together they have 4 children and 6 grandchildren all who attend The Grove.   

John McPherson
Associate & Student Pastor

John and Christina are natives of Rhea County, as well as high school sweethearts.  They have been married since 2000, and are the proud parents of Xander and Aaliyah-Kate Mcpherson.  

     John and Christina both graduated from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  John holds a degree in Middle Grades Education with an emphasis in Science and Social Science, while Christina received a degree in Multidisciplinary Education with a highly qualified status in Language Arts. 
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John and Christina are currently teachers within the Rhea County school system. They have been youth pastors of REFUGE at The Grove since 2001.  Their vision is to introduce this generation of young people to Jesus Christ and equip them to spread The Gospel.

Christina McPherson
Worship & Student Ministries

John and Christina are natives of Rhea County, as well as high school sweethearts.  They have been married since 2000, and are the proud parents of Xander and Aaliyah-Kate Mcpherson.  

     John and Christina both graduated from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  John holds a degree in Middle Grades Education with an emphasis in Science and Social Science, while Christina received a degree in Multidisciplinary Education with a highly qualified status in Language Arts. 
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John and Christina are currently teachers within the Rhea County school system. They have been youth pastors of REFUGE at The Grove since 2001.  Their vision is to introduce this generation of young people to Jesus Christ and equip them to spread The Gospel.