The Executive Council

Rev. Preston K. Mathena was elected superintendent of the Appalachian Conference at the 100th Annual Conference session in June 2010. Prior to his election he served as the Conference Missions/Evangelism Director for nine years. Before his Conference duties, Mathena pastored the Voice of Praise Worship Center for 17 years, from which Destiny Outreach Center was planted. Bishop Mathena holds a master’s degree in church planting & revitalization from Southwestern Christian University, where he received the 2000 Southwestern Graduate School Distinguished Leadership award. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Studies from Emmanuel College. He and his wife, Kathy, have been in ministry together for over 35 years.
 

Rev. Larry D. Meadors received his ministers license with the Appalachian Conference in 1984 after graduating from Oral Roberts University. He returned to his home church, New Life Christian Ministries in Roanoke, VA, and served as Associate Pastor until 1989. Larry pastored the Abundant Life Fellowship Church in Pilot, VA for thirteen years.  During this period of ministry, he graduated with a Masters of Ministry from Southwestern  College of Christian Ministries and also served on the Conference Discipleship Ministries council in various roles until he was appointed as Conference DM Director from 2002-2010. He presently serves as the conference Missions and Evangelism Director. He and Gloria have served together in ministry since their marriage in 1983 and enjoy their family; especially their four grandchildren.
 

Rev. J. Frank Neff was elected as Secretary of the Appalachian Conference in June 2010.  Prior to his election he served as a Conference Council Member for 8 years.  Before becoming a council member, he served 12 years on the Discipleship Ministries Board of the conference.  
Along with his Conference duties, Neff pastored Life Line Ministries Church in Hot Springs, VA for 38 years.  He and his wife Beth have been in ministries together for the past 44 years.

Wanda Myers was elected as a board member of the Appalachian Conference at the 100th Annual Conference session in June 2010.  She was the first woman in 100 years elected to the board. Prior to being elected, she served as the Conference Women’s Ministries Director for twelve years. She has served in pastoral ministry for 37 years with her husband Larry at three conference churches.  Since her husband retired, she is presently pastoring Good News Ministries in Staunton, VA and has been there for five years. She has served as an instructor for Maranatha College, teaching several classes throughout the years. She is a certified John Maxwell Coach and owned her own company “Leading in Harmony,” focusing on training and coaching leadership skills. She has 28 years of banking experience and retired early from BB&T as a Sales Management Consultant, VP in 2013. She was a Certified University Instructor with a BB&T Process Master Certification.  She also attended Lord Fairfax Community College.  She and her husband Larry, have six children with eleven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.  

Rev. Ron Fredericks is a graduate of Emmanuel College and was ordained in the Appalachian Conference in June, 1981. Beginning his ministry serving at Falcon Children's Home, he went on to  pastor at Covington, VA; Mullens, WVA; St. Albans, WVA and Galax, VA. His pastoral ministry would span 29 years before being appointed Discipleship Ministries Director for the Appalachian Conference in 2010. Prior to his appointment as Discipleship Ministries Director he served as the DM Treasurer and Assistant Director. He has been married to Pam Schrader Fredericks for 45 years who has served with and supported in each area of ministry. They have two children; Russell Fredericks and Lauren Fredericks Rife, who is married to Nathan Rife and one grandson, Rowan. Ron also  currently serves as the IPHC National Fine Arts Director and Member of the IPHC Discipleship Ministries Council.

Todd Porter, licensed with the Appalachian Conference in 2002, was elected to the Appalachian Conference Executive Council in September 2023. Todd has been active in ministry along with his wife, Tammy, Appalachian Conference Women’s Ministry Director, since their marriage in 1990. Todd and Tammy have co-pastored Life Changers Christian Center since July 2010. They love their LCCC family and enjoy any opportunity to fellowship with them. Todd is passionate about winning the lost to Christ and offering pastor care to any and all of his peers. Todd and Tammy are blessed with a great family. They have one daughter, Montana, son in law, Chad, 3 grandchildren, Lucas, Hazel and Liam. Todd is excited for the opportunity to serve alongside the anointed team of leaders God has given this conference.

Reverend C.J. Cole is an Ordained minister in the IPHC, and was appointed to the executive council of the Appalachian Conference in 2023. C.J. is the youngest person to be elected to the executive council and was the first active youth pastor elected. He served on the Discipleship Ministry Council prior to his election. C.J. has a passion to see people become true disciples of Jesus, and enjoys helping people grow in their personal relationship with the Lord. Currently C.J. is serving as the Pastor of The Rock IPHC in Princeton WV, as well as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes doing ministry in middle and high schools in Southern West Virginia. He has a true heart for this generation of young people, and believes that God is pouring His spirit out in a mighty way on them. He has been married to the love of his life Laura for 13 years. They have one daughter Miss Anna.