Our Leadership

Senior Pastor

Randall Popham, a Georgia native, was saved, called to ministry, married, and ordained at First Baptist Church of Woodstock, GA. After graduating from Etowah High School in 1991, he married Dana in 1994, and they attended North Greenville University, where he earned a B.A. in Christian Studies. In 2003, he completed a Master of Divinity in Evangelism and Church Planting from Southern Seminary. Randall has served as Youth Minister in two churches in Greenville, SC, High School Youth Pastor and Associate Pastor at First Baptist Hendersonville, NC, and, since 2005, as Lead Pastor at Lanier Hills Church in Gainesville, GA. He and Dana have four adult children.

Youth Pastor

Dan joined Lanier Hills in August of 2019. He has been married to his wife Courtney since 2009. They have two children, Emmy and Aaron. Dan is a graduate of Covington Theological Seminary and holds a Bachelor’s in Ministry. Originally from Chattanooga, TN, he and Courtney have served in student ministry in Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Charleston, SC! Dan loves spending time with his family, hanging with students, football, and basketball…and bleeds orange for the Tennessee Volunteers.

Children’s Minister

Julie was born and raised in Gainesville, GA. She graduated from North Hall High School and earned her Bachelor’s degree from Brenau University. She continued her studies and received her education degree from Piedmont College before beginning her career as an educator. For over 20 years, she has enjoyed teaching children from ages 4 to 18. Julie and Chad have 3 young adult grown children. Julie began attending Lanier Hills Church in 2009 and joined the staff in 2011. She is passionate about pointing the next generation to Jesus and helping people of all ages grow in their walk with Jesus as they discover their gifts and talents and find their place and purpose in the body of Christ.

Nursery + Preschool Director

Kerstin was raised in Gainesville and graduated from Chestatee High School in 2012. She then attended college at Berry College in Rome, GA where she met her husband, Colton, shortly before graduating and returning to Gainesville in 2016. Colton and Kerstin joined Lanier Hills in February 2017 and were married later that year. They currently have a one year old son, Declan, with hopes to continue growing their family in the future. Kerstin has served with the nursery and preschool at Lanier Hills for several years, and recently took over as Director in 2024. In her (very little) free time, Kerstin loves spending time with family and friends, and reading.  

Worship Leader

Jessica was born and raised in Georgia and moved to the Hall Co area when she was in middle school. She met her husband Cory when he started working for Cargill in the Hall Co area and has since had the opportunity to work at and relocate with Cargill in North Carolina and Iowa before relocating back to her home in 2019, along with Cory and their 3 girls O’Raylia (Raylee), Harper, and Ellie Jo. Jessica joined the staff officially in Jan 2024. She has always been passionate and involved in worship ministry in some capacity most her life, but has only recently felt called into leadership since attending and serving at Lanier Hills. Outside of worship, Jessica enjoys spending time with family, hosting and hanging out with friends, going to concerts, and hiking with Cory and her girls, along with her new puppy Diesel!

Pastoral Care Director

Judy was born in Hall County. She is married to Jack Hulsey. They are charter members of Lanier Hills. Judy has a 4-year degree in Leadership and Administration from Grace Bible Institute. Children are the love of her life. She also enjoys running and spending time with her two grandchildren.

Director of Administration

Scott has attended LHC since 2010 and volunteered in many capacities before his role as Director of Administration. Scott and Marianna are blessed with a blended family of eight amazing, young adult children. Outside of Lanier Hills, Scott serves as the Executive Director of Straight Street Ministries. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, mountain biking, camping, and hunting.

Hospitality + First Impressions Director

Courtney was born and raised in Alabama where she went to college and met Dan, her husband. They have been married since 2009 and have always been involved in youth and other church ministries. She and Dan have a spirited daughter ‘Emmy’ and a busy toddler ‘Aaron’. Courtney enjoys good food, good coffee, crafting, reading, and movies.

Youth Ministry Assistant

Josh, a Hall County native raised in Suwanee, GA, graduated from North Gwinnett High School in 2016 and earned a Bachelor’s in Middle School Education from the University of North Georgia in 2021. He currently teaches 6th-grade Social Studies. Josh met his wife, Sarah, in college, and they married in June 2022. They are new parents to their son, Stephen, who was born in August, 2024. Since 2019, Josh has attended Lanier Hills Church and is now pursuing a Master’s in Christian Leadership from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He enjoys family time, basketball, movies, board games, and cheering for the Kansas Jayhawks. Rock Chalk!

Media & Marketing Manager

Savannah is a long time member of Lanier Hills Church, where she first began attending when she was 8 years old. From a young age, she has been involved in the church and now leads worship alongside her husband, Justin. She graduated from the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, where she met her husband. Savannah enjoys conversations over coffee, reading, watching movies, CrossFit, and spending time with her dog, Leia.

Office Administator

Sandy Pinkham grew up in N.C., married in 1974, was saved in 1995, and moved to Gainesville in 2003. She has been the church secretary since August 2006. Before moving to Gainesville, she served as Administrative Secretary for the Director of Admissions at Georgia Southern Univ. in Statesboro, GA for 15 years. She is a Hospice Patient Volunteer 2003- present.