Staff

Staff

Elders

Deacons

GRADY SMITH / Lead Pastor

Grady is the lead pastor for Gateway. He has been with us since November 2016. He is married to Julia and they have four children ranging in age from 4 to 13.

Grady graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, with both a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. His degrees were in the field of missions and evangelism with minors in theology and church leadership. In particular, his doctoral research was on how one’s view of providence impacts one’s prayer life (click here to learn more about it).

Grady believes in the importance of expository (verse by verse) preaching, the role of community in the local church, the need for living missionally, and the importance of biblical counseling in the church to help believers grow in holiness. He enjoys time with his family, racquetball, and exploring God's creation through backpacking.

Before coming to Gateway, Grady served on the staff of a church in Auburn, Alabama, for 14 years.

- grady@gatewaybaptist.com

C.J. FALCIONE / Associate Pastor

C.J. has been Gateway's Associate Pastor since 2012, though he has been a part of Gateway since 2007. He previously served as an elder before joining the staff. C.J. is a graduate of Auburn University Montgomery (AUM) with a degree in Marketing. After graduation, he served with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) for five years. During that time, the Lord brought C.J. his precious wife Nikki and placed in them a long-term vision for ministry. They returned to Montgomery in the fall of 1997 and over the years before coming to Gateway served in a variety of roles. C.J. loves anything sports, quality time with family and friends, and any opportunity to laugh. He and Nikki have 3 young-adult children.

- cj@gatewaybaptist.com

JUSTIN TAYLOR / Music Minister

Justin is Gateway's music minister. He plans the weekly worship services, oversees the congregational praise in the service, and leads the music ministry team. In addition, he helps plan and lead special services and event. Justin is married to Alana, and they have two children. They have been part of Gateway since 2018, with Justin becoming our music minister in 2021.

- justin@gatewaybaptist.com

KAYLA WHATLEY / Children's Ministry Director

Kayla been Gateway's Children's Ministry Director. With a background in early childhood and elementary education, and after serving for many years as a volunteer in the children's ministry, in 2024 she came on staff to oversee our preschool ministry. Then in 2025, she assumed responsibilities for the older children as well. Kayla is a graduate of Auburn of Montgomery (AUM) with a degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She has been attending Gateway for more than 12 years. She is married to Kyle, who is one of Gateway's deacons, and they have 5 children.

- kayla@gatewaybaptist.com

ERIN GROSS / Administrative Assistant

Erin serves as Gateway's administrative assistant and office manager. She is responsible for the the day-to-day operations of the church office and is the financial bookkeeper for the church. In addition, she assists the pastoral and ministry staff in many other ways. Erin has three children. She and her family have been part of Gateway since 2006, and Erin has served on the church staff since 2015.

- erin@gatewaybaptist.com