The Rev’d Canon Natalie Van Kirk
Rector
Mother Natalie lives out of a deep conviction that the Christian life is one of adventure and wonder. All of us are invited to join the quest for God. As individuals and as a community we all need and seek a deeper relationship with Christ Jesus. The fruits of that relationship are found in mercy, justice, faith, and, above all, love for one another and all of creation. One of her most frequent sermon messages is, “You were made for glory and God wants you to live into that promise.”
Mother Natalie was called to be Good Shepherd’s second rector in October 2019. She came from the Diocese of Chicago where she served as Rector of St. Barnabas, Glen Ellyn. Before moving to Chicago she lived in Dallas, where she served a variety of parishes and the Diocese of Dallas. She has also taught seminarians at Perkins School of Theology at SMU in Dallas, and at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola, Chicago. She and her husband, Fr. Fred Schmidt, are loving life and Tennessee.
The Rev’d Dr. Frederick Schmidt, Jr.
Vice Rector
Father Fred has a D. Phil. from Oxford University in New Testament studies, and has authored two commentaries and edited a series for the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars. He has also served seminaries in Dallas and Chicago as an instructor and administrator in Christian Spirituality and Spiritual Direction. His work in this field has focused on the spiritual implications of suffering, death, and dying.
His two most recent books in this field are What God Wants for Your Life, and The Dave Test: A Raw Look at Real Faith in Hard Times. He is also a nationally known spiritual director and retreat leader. He is a regular blogger on Patheos and has published over 600 columns in the last several years. He is currently working on two books on Christian spirituality.
In addition to pastoral care and counseling, teaching, and preaching, Father Fred has expanded our men’s ministries, spiritual direction, and formation programming.
The Rev’d Rebecca Terhune
Deacon
Deacon Rebecca Terhune served previously at Zion Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Wisconsin. Currently, Rebecca serves on the board at St Francis House, the Episcopal student center of the University of Wisconsin.
Middle Tennessee has been home to her and her husband Father Jason since 2005 when they moved from Memphis to Columbia, Tennessee, before studying for holy orders at Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin. From there they served at St. Mary Magdalene in Fayetteville, Tennessee, and from 2019-2024, they worked for Dr. Garwood Anderson, retired Dean of Nashotah House.
Mom to three terrific grown sons, mom-in-law to an amazing daughter-in-law, and grandmother to one little fellow, Deacon Rebecca enjoys a number of hobbies including kayaking, hiking, snowshoeing, and traveling. “One of my favorite things about Wisconsin was the snow,” she says. “It snows in Tennessee, but nothing like that!” She also enjoys bringing friends together over some great meals
Karin Simmons
Music Ministry Director
Karin Simmons has been leading music and worship for over 28 years! Born into a family of musicians, she began her musical journey with piano lessons at 4 years old. Playing and singing in church became one of Karin’s deep joys very early in her life. Fifteen years ago, she began exploring liturgical styles of worship while attending Church of the Redeemer (ACNA) and she’s never looked back!
Karin released her debut project in 2015 and titled Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs, Volume 1. Seven years later, Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs, Volume 2 was released featuring all original recordings.
Presently, Karin is a signed writer with WieRok Entertainment and can be found most days writing music for the edification of the church. In her spare time, she loves to cook, get coffee with friends, and spend time loving on her husband, Scott, and their two boys, Jack and Leo.
Abigail Hawkins
Youth Ministry Director/Assistant Music Ministry Director
Abigail Hawkins (or Abbi) was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she developed a love for music and for the Church. She began leading worship at the age of 13 and continued her pursuit of music and ministry out of high school when she spent a year with Youth With A Mission in Toowoomba, Australia. Upon her return to the States, she served as Worship Director at a summer camp and church in Michigan. She completed her Bachelor's degree in Worship Arts at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana, where she served at a number of churches and completed several recording projects.
Abigail moved to Nashville in April 2023 and has been providing leadership for youth and music at Sacrament Church and working at First Presbyterian Church in a variety of capacities. She is thrilled to be at Good Shepherd ministering with youth and music. Outside of ministry, you can find her outside, at the gym or yoga, reading, practicing tattooing, painting, and songwriting.
Chrissie Coombs
Children’s Ministry Director
Chrissie Coombs leads our Children’s Formation and has been a member of Good Shepherd since 2008. She has always worked with children and loves their ability to be in the moment and create joy and chaos, often simultaneously. When she was 8 years old, she started the worthy goal to read every Dennis the Menace comic book ever printed, and in later years reapplied the same fervor to Calvin & Hobbes. Children just make her laugh, and she seeks to return to them the happiness of knowing God loves them unconditionally.
Ashley Mowers
Communications Director
Ashley Mowers covers all internal and external communications: creating content, designing graphics, writing press releases, building campaigns and web pages, and working with our Welcome and Tech Teams. She also serves as Acolyte Master.
Prior to arriving to Good Shepherd, Ashley earned her B.A. in Worship Arts from Judson University, M.A. from Northern Seminary, and an MLitt in Theology and the Arts from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She was the 2019 Artist in Residence for the Institute for Theology, Imagination, and the Arts in St. Andrews. In her free time, she co-hosts The Min/Max Podcast and The Sandman: Unlocked. Additional work can be found at ashleyemowers.com.
Angela Premoe
Parish Administrator & Bookkeeper
Angela Premoe keeps the office in order in more ways than one. She makes sure the checks are signed, orders are placed, and the books are balanced.
Angela was raised in a loving Christian family and received Christ as her savior around 6 or 7 years of age. In her teens, she moved to the northwest. After college, marriage, and raising her son, she and her husband moved to the south, where she lives and serves today.