RAY UMPHREY

LEAD PASTOR

Dr. Ray Umphrey 

Pastor Ray came to Pillar Church, formerly known as Briggs Road Baptist Church as Lead Pastor in 2017. As the lead pastor, Ray is the primary preaching pastor and provides leadership and spiritual care for the church. Pastor Ray earned his Ph.D. and an M.Div. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Clear Creek Baptist Bible College. He also serves as Professor of New Testament at Emmaus Theological Seminary and University of the Cumberlands and trains local and international pastors and leaders through various partnerships.

A preacher since the age of fifteen, Ray has been involved in ministry for over 20 years both as a pastor and a denominational leader in Tennessee and Kentucky. Ray and his wife, Katrina, are East Tennessee natives and have been married since 2005. Katrina serves as Director of Operations at the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio. Ray loves Star Wars, vintage video games, traveling with Katrina, bluegrass, the Tennessee Volunteers, and snorkeling in the Bahamas.

Check out his personal website here!

JOSIAH FINNERAN

DISCIPLESHIP PASTOR

Josiah Finneran

Pastor Josiah came to Pillar Church as the Discipleship Pastor in 2025. As the discipleship pastor, Josiah provides oversight and direction for all discipleship ministries and coordinates the weekly life of the church with the mission and vision of the church. Pastor Josiah is currently working on his MDiv from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Ambassador Baptist College. 

Growing up serving in his local church, Josiah has over a decade of experience serving in multiple church settings from inner-city to the rural midwest. Josiah is a native Ohioan and has been married to his wife, Sarah, for 10 years. Sarah loves serving the church in various ways along with teaching and nurturing their 4 children. Josiah enjoys bowhunting, hiking and the outdoors, trying new foods, and playing piano.