About Discovery
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​SENIOR PASTOR:  SMITH SHARPE

Pastor Smith Sharpe was born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, and grew up in a family that was active in the Methodist Church.  He attended Lenoir Rhyne University on a football scholarship and graduated in 1988.  While in college he met his future wife Charlotte, and they now have three children: Beatty, Adele, and Lillian.

Prior to starting Discovery Church (formerly Christian Fellowship Church), Smith was an Administrative Director with Frye Regional Medical Center.  At age 30 he began a career with C.R. Laine Furniture Company where he became the Vice President of Sales and Marketing.  Ten years later, Charlotte encouraged him to pursue his calling to Pastoral Ministry, and he entered Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary where he graduated three years later with a Masters in Divinity.  Five months later, on September 7th, 2008 Smith preached his first sermon at what was then called Christian Fellowship Church.  Under his energetic leadership and passion for God’s Word, Discovery Church has continued to thrive and be a beacon of hope to the community.

Youth Pastor:  Tristan Shore

Pastor Tristan Shore was born and raised in Merritt Island, Florida.   He was not raised in church and didn’t come to know Christ as his Lord and Savior until he was 21 years old when God rescued him in miraculous way.  Shortly after that, he went on to attend Clearwater Christian College where he played basketball and studied Pastoral Ministry. A year later, he went on a mission trip to Guatemala and met his wife, Bree, who was also a part of the college group that went. They later married, then he graduated in 2014, and they went on to have two children: Evelyn and Ezra.

Before coming to Discovery in November 2018, Tristan served on staff as the Student Outreach Coordinator at a church in Charlotte, NC.  It was there that his calling to ministry was affirmed and his passion to see students’ lives transformed by the Gospel grew. Tristan is excited to be apart of what God is doing at Discovery Church and to lead the students into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR:  TANYA TURBEVILLE

Office Manager Tanya Turbeville was born in Tampa, Florida, and was raised in Spartanburg South Carolina, graduating from UNCC with a degree in Business Administration.  After graduation and marriage to Gene, Tanya worked in the Automotive and Electronics industries in production planning & purchasing before becoming a stay-at-home mom to sons Drew and Grant.  While living in Michigan, Tanya volunteered in the school system and started an after school Christian Character Club for elementary aged children.  Having lived in Michigan and Virginia, Tanya and her family moved to Newton, NC in 2013 and have become an integral part of the life of Discovery Church.  Her desire is to use her organizational and planning skills to help Discovery Church bring people to Christ and to lead others into deeper fellowship with Jesus.

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY DIRECTOR:  SARAH HESSONG

Sarah Hessong was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and was raised in Charlotte, NC from the age of 2. She graduated with a B.S. degree from N.C. State University. Soon after graduation and marriage to David, she moved to Hickory, NC. After many years as a stay-at-home mom to their four children, Anabelle, Juliette, Carter, and Porter, she began working as a Preschool teacher and Swim Team Coach. Her family began visiting Discovery Church in 2008, and joined in 2009.  She soon became an active volunteer member of the Children’s Ministry. With a passion for the children’s program, and her previous experience in preschool, as well as, directing VBS programs for many years, she hopes to grow and expand our Children’s Ministry to create a strong relationship between God and the children of our church.

DIRECTOR OF ADULT DISCIPLESHIP: PHILLIP FULBRIGHT

Phillip is a local Burke County boy. Raised on a small farm in Icard. After 10 years in corporate sales, he now runs his own business. Phillip has served the church over the years in many ways. ( Youth Leader, Praise and Worship, MLT, Adult Discipleship Leader)
His current position focuses on helping people connect through small groups, bible studies, and targeted events. 

DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP: AMANDA SOLESBEE

Worship Director Amanda Solesbee was born in Boone, NC. She was raised for 13 years in Morganton,  NC and then her family moved to Hickory, NC where she finished high school. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Montreat College in 2007. While attending Montreat, Amanda was also part of Montreat's Music program for musical training and experience. She later received her Master's Degree in Reading Education from Appalachian State University in 2012. Amanda became a member of Discovery Church in 2013. She joined the worship team as a volunteer vocalist in 2014 and eventually became Vocal Coordinator within the team. Amanda has since stepped up into the role of Worship Director and leads the team to create a dynamic worship experience each week. 

DIRECTOR OF CONGREGATIONAL CARE: TARA BUMGARNER 

DIRECTOR OF HOSPITALITY:  SANDY AUTEN

Administrative Assistant Sandy Auten was born and raised in Catawba County and has been married to Chuck for 23 years.  She previously worked in outside sales, prior to her full-time job of wife to Chuck and mother to three sons Ben, Jake and Matt.  Sandy and Chuck have been at Discovery since its beginning where they have been involved in a variety of ministries, including both of Discovery’s Capital Campaigns.  Sandy has also participated in Bible Study Fellowship for six years and has organized the Backpack Program at Claremont Elementary School.  Her hobbies include running and spending time with family, and at Discovery she will use her strong leadership skills for special projects and to provide administrative support for other staff members and ministries.

CONGREGATIONAL SUPPORT:  JO HUBANKS

Communications Director Jo Hubanks grew up in Osceola, Indiana and was raised in the Catholic faith.  As a teen, Jo came to understand that faith in Christ involved a personal relationship with Him and she then accepted Him as her Lord and Savior.  Jo met and married Rick in 1973 and they have two children Eric and Kristin, and now three grandchildren.  After moving to Hickory in 1994 and working with Corning for five years, Jo became the Communications Director at Discovery where she is able to use her organizational skills and cheerful attitude to provide structure and direction for the many ministries at Discovery.

Staff Contact Info:

Senior Pastor: Smith Sharpe
Smith@DiscoveryChurchHickory.com

Youth Pastor: Tristan Shore
Tristan@DiscoveryChurchHickory.com

Administrative Director: Tanya Turbeville
Tanya@DiscoveryChurchHickory.com

Children's Ministry Director: Sarah Hessong
Sarah@DiscoveryChurchHickory.com

Adult Discipleship Director: Phillip Fulbright
​Phillip@DiscoveryChurchHickory.com

Director of Congregational Care:  Tara Bumgarner
Tara@DiscoveryChurchHickory.com

Administrative Assistant: Sandy Auten
Sandy@DiscoveryChurchHickory.com

Congregational Support: Jo Hubanks
Jo@DIscoveryChurchHickory.com

Worship Director: Amanda Solesbee
Amanda@DIscoveryChurchHickory.com

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