Board of Directors

Fred Gilkeson has been employed as the Youth, and now Senior, Pastor of New River Community Church for the last 20 years.  He has also been employed in various positions at Landmark Christian School for the last 28 years; where he is presently the Head of the Christian Life Department (in charge of curriculum development and discipleship of the school). 

"I’m so excited about 2:2 Collective and what God is wanting to do.  It’s been years and years of praying and wondering if this could be a reality.  Looking back over the years I now see God’s direction and timing in this. He always gave us just enough to keep us wondering, praying and hoping.  I got to admit at times it was difficult to see anything.  Yet God was faithful.

My most exciting thought is this is God’s desires and He will build it. It will be a legacy for the Lord!  It will be opportunity for the body of Christ to come together to work together and to love each other.  Also the Lord has allowed me to be around all of you. I mean that with all my heart.  The Lord is allowing me to be around God seekers/dreamers!  You all encourage me in the Lord!  Thank you all!"

Larry Thaxton recently retired from AT&T, after 21 years of service there.  He previously worked at Dun & Bradstreet for 19 years, in Wholesale Credit Decisioning.  He has been active in church finances since 1985, and currently serves as the Treasurer of New River Community Church. 

"Seeing the hand of God move and experiencing it firsthand is my heart’s desire.  I want to be found faithful in what God has given to me and to assist New River in the venture He has lead us into.  So, what talents God has given to me, I want to use them for His honor and glory.  God is birthing 2:2 Collective out of the vision He gave to New River and I will do whatever He so directs me to do.  All of this is being done to advance His Kingdom and to be actively pursuing a oneness in His Body.  I am excited to see how He will work and create something greater than the parts themselves, to use the obedience and yieldedness of so few to glorify Himself."

Jeffrey Smith has been ministering in churches for the past 52 years, serving as a

youth leader, worship leader, associate pastor, teacher, and board member. He has also

served for several years as President of International Mercy Missions, Inc. He has also

held jobs in sales, trucking, warehouse management, and high school teaching.

“I have served as Campus Administrator for 2:2 Collective for the past several years and

as Treasurer for the past 2 years. I have a passion to see multiple ministry entities,

churches and para-church, work together to build the Kingdom of God. Christian

churches have often been pinned with a reputation for division, competitiveness, and non-

cooperation. I believe that it is the heart of the Father for His children to love one another

and work together, in the Holy Spirit, to see God’s work accomplished in our

communities. The camaraderie and love that I have witnessed at 2:2 Collective over the

past several years encourages me and gives me hope that we will one day see the unity

that Jesus prayed to the Father for in John 17.”