Lead Pastor
Rev. Dr. Scott Layer
Scott and his family moved to Tennessee in 2003 to be close to family and have enjoyed it ever since. Some of Scott's passions including playing guitar, running, and reading. Scott enjoys preaching and teaching and being one of the pastors of Central!
Scott was raised as a kid outside of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. He was a student at Eastern College where he graduated with degrees in Economics and Youth Ministry. His theological training was at Asbury Theological Seminary where he received Masters of Divinity, Masters in Pastoral Counseling, and Doctor of Ministry degrees.
Scott is married to Kate and is blessed to be the father of Aiden, Max, Maggie, Anna and Pierson. Some of Scott's passions including playing guitar, running, and reading.
Pastor of Congregational Care and Community Outreach
Rev. Melissa Smith
Melissa grew up in Johnson City, TN and graduated from Science Hill High School and then ETSU with a major in Social Work and Criminal Justice. She has a Master of Divinity from Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY
and have attended both Asbury Seminary and Wesley Seminary.
Prior to becoming a pastor, Melissa did youth ministry in both inner-city and suburban churches. She has served Holston as a Local Pastor and an Elder
since 2006. She is working on a Doctor of Ministry degree in Fresh Expressions and Church Revitalization from United Seminary and should graduate in the Spring of 2027.
Melissa enjoys riding my mountain bike on the greenway and watching all types of sports. I’m All-Vol and will give my all for Tennessee sports. I am a slave to my blue-gray cat, Smokey, who loves me but nobody else. Most of all, I love to laugh, mostly at myself. I strive to bring a sense of creativity and excitement to leading ministry.