All Eyes on Jesus
April is a month of all eyes on Jesus—beginning with Easter and continuing through transition weekend, Jeff’s final weekend as Senior Minister, and Harrison’s first.
SUNDAY, APRIL 19 - Celebrating Jeff Faull
9:30 & 11AM - Morning Services
Join us as Jeff Faull preaches his final sermon as Senior Minister at Mt. Gilead Church.
5PM - You are invited to an Celebration
Join us later that evening in recognizing and honoring Jeff Faull for his years of leadership, stewardship, and service to Mt. Gilead Church. Presentation with Guest Speakers in the Auditorium followed by a reception in the Main Lobby.
Harrison Huxford affirmed as the next Senior Minister
Sunday, August 3
It is with great joy, and full unity, that the Elders and Leadership Team of Mt. Gilead Church recommended Harrison Huxford to the congregation to be the next Senior Minister at Mt. Gilead Church. On August 3, 2025, per our by-laws, Mt. Gilead took part in a congregational affirmation vote, with Harrison receiving an overwhelmingly 98.6% positive response, affirming him as the next Senior Minister of Mt. Gilead Church.
For over 37 years, current Senior Minister, Jeff Faull has stewarded his role in the church well. Knowing the time would eventually come to find the next Senior Minister, Jeff began preparing the church and the Elders for his eventual succession five years ago. Mt. Gilead’s leaders began preparing for a succession process back in January of 2020.
Throughout the affirmation process since the initial recommendation announcement, Jeff has continued to assure the congregation of his complete confidence in Harrison Huxford. Stating that, “It would be hard for me to imagine that I could be more excited to introduce a successor than I actually am in commending Harrison.” Yesterday from stage, Jeff assured the congregation that he and his wife, Val, are not going anywhere after the transition. Mooresville is their home and Mt. Gilead is their church. The intention is for Harrison to join the Mt. Gilead team and share preaching responsibilities with Jeff and the rest of our teaching team through the end of 2025 and well into 2026. The plan is then to make the full transition some time after Easter.
This was a pivotal moment in Mt. Gilead’s 190-year history as we follow God’s lead toward the third century of Mt Gilead’s ministry.
About Harrison & his Family
Harrison Huxford loves Jesus and is wholeheartedly committed to serving his wife, children, and the church. He and Lindsay have been married almost 20 years and have four children - Harrison II, Emma Grace, Callie Jo, and Jackson.
Harrison and Lindsay are both preacher's kids from Georgia. They met and got married during their undergraduate studies at Point University. Harrison later received his Masters from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He is currently working on his dissertation to complete a Doctorate of Ministry at Wheaton Graduate School.
For the last 15 years, they have been serving at Compassion Christian Church in Savannah, Ga. Harrison has held a few different roles at the church, which has proven to be an invaluable education in learning to love and lead Jesus’ church.
God has been stirring Harrison and Lindsay’s hearts to pursue a new chapter in their life and ministry. Harrison loves preaching the Word of God. He loves being a part of a team that is committed to chasing God-sized dreams that will extend the Kingdom of heaven on earth. Finally, he loves seeing those far from God being transformed into life-long disciples of Jesus.
Prayer and Planning for a Successful Succession
God has seen fit for Mt. Gilead Church to be in existence and thriving for 190 years now. One of the primary reasons Mt. Gilead has grown and flourished for all these years is the quality, character, and depth of leadership.
Someone once said that every leader serves as an interim. Succession is a natural and healthy part of every organization. Lord willing, Mt. Gilead Church will still be thriving long after all of us have gone. Each of us, as church members, are responsible to steward our role in the church well during our time.
For over 37 years, Jeff Faull has certainly stewarded his role in the church well. His faithful preaching, steady hand, and wise oversight has enabled the church to grow and flourish during his time. Knowing the time would eventually come to find the next Senior Minister, Jeff began preparing the church and the Elders for his eventual succession five years ago.
Mt. Gilead’s leaders began preparing for a succession process back in January of 2020. This process was eventually completed through the writing of internal documents, and then placed on a shelf until Jeff felt it was time to begin the process. Once Jeff was 61, he was ready to begin the search process. This was his choice and he initiated it. Jeff is not retiring from ministry. He felt called to more and different opportunities, and he wanted to take advantage of these opportunities sooner than later.
Mt. Gilead is a healthy church with a significant influence in our community and our world. Jeff feels that transitioning to a new, younger leader at this time will enable Mt. Gilead to continue to grow and thrive. Jeff feels the best years are ahead for Mt. Gilead.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What’s next for Jeff and Val?
Jeff and Val will continue to be involved in ministry, albeit not necessarily located church ministry. Jeff plans to continue partnering with ministries he is involved with, various church coaching needs, multiple writing outlets, guest preaching at churches, and more.
How long has this been in the works?
Back in 2020, Jeff started the succession conversation with the Elders. Since then, the Elders, Jeff, and the Leadership Team have been putting together a plan, talking in depth about our process, and praying about how and when to take specific next steps. In 2020, we also partnered with Effective Elders (E2) to help us craft our succession process and internal documents.
What can I pray about?
Pray for Jeff and Val in this new season of “overlap" and winding down their full-time ministry at Mt. Gilead. Pray for Harrison’s initial season of ministry and leadership to be fruitful here at Mt. Gilead. Pray for our elder and staff teams as they discern what making lifelong disciples looks like in the future.
How can I help?
Be prayerful. Pray for what’s been shared above. Pray for Mt. Gilead Church leadership and our congregation at large. If a prayer resource would help you, check out our 42 Days of Prayer guide HERE. Be present. Show up on Sunday mornings, in your small groups, in your serving roles. During times of transition and change, prioritizing community is beneficial for yourself and others! Be sacrificial. As our church continues to grow, we want to raise up and equip more people for ministry than ever before to serve. Learn more about serving HERE.
What can I pray about?
Be praying for Jeff and Val in this new season of “overlap" and winding down their full-time ministry at Mt. Gilead.
Pray for the Lord to continue to open doors of opportunity for Jeff as he pursues ministry in different ways.
Pray for Harrison and his family to navigate a busy time of moving and all that entails.
Pray for their children to have smooth transitions with school and friends.
Pray for Harrison’s initial season of ministry to be fruitful here at Mt. Gilead.
ASK A QUESTION
If you have a question about the succession process, please