mEET THE PASTORS & STAFF
Shane Nivens
Lead Pastor
shane@thewellcog.org
shane@thewellcog.org
Pastor Shane and Erin Nivens serve The Well as our Lead Pastors. Pastor Shane came to The Well in November of 2022. They have 3 wonderful children; Cade, Hudson, and Emory. Pastor Shane is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God Cleveland,TN, and is a graduate of Lee University. The Nivens have served in the role of Lead Pastor for the last 10 years. Before that, they had served as Youth Pastors, and have also done work with Worship Ministry. Pastor Shane is a powerful and dynamic preacher and teacher of the Word of God. He and our First Lady, Sister Erin, have a heart for the local church, as well as outreach ministry and seeing souls won for the Kingdom of God.
Matthew Thompson
Assistant / Worship Pastor
matthew@thewellcog.org
matthew@thewellcog.org
Matthew Thompson was born and raised right here in Pulaski, TN. Coming from a broken home and several different church denominational backgrounds, Matthew began his walk with the Lord at 13 yrs of age back in 2000 where he turned his life over to Jesus at a Youth Camp in Ruston, Louisiana. This was where and when he developed an initial hunger for a deeper relationship with God. Through the years as a teenager and navigating in life as a believer, he’s had several life changing experiences and opportunities in serving the Lord that have truly tested and grew his faith. Some of those experiences including helping lead worship in his youth group, being an aid at VBS events, going to missions trips to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, New York City, Memphis/northeastern part of Mississippi and even got involved in hometown mission work as well. Utilizing his gift of helps anywhere the Lord allowed him. These involvements have helped shape Matthew’s perspective on life and into the lover of God he is today.
During all of these years Matthew has had someone very near and dear to him that has played key-intricate part in helping him turn his life over to God. That help has been his middle-school sweetheart and wife of 17 wonderful filled years, Mallory. He and Mallory had a moment of recommitting their hearts back to God in March of 2006 at Pulaski Church of God known as The Well currently and becoming members, just a few months before getting married. This sprung forward many seasons of fruitful and various bivocational ministries including being Youth Pastors for 5+ years. During this time, Matthew obtained his Exhorters and Ordained Minister license through the COG.
Family is EVERYTHING to Matthew and Mallory, especially since their daughters’, Joanna(6 yo)& Maddy(4 yo)have come along in March 2017 & August 2019. Time and attention to family means so much to Matthew. In his free time you’ll find him spending as much time as he can having great fun and taking care of his girls and being with his beautiful wife.
After working in the secular work field for 18+ yrs at a corrugated box plant called Valley Packaging owned by Green Bay Packaging, Matthew has accepted the responsibility and call by faith to be full time Assistant Pastor at The Well beginning Sunday, September 10th! Matthew will be bringing a fresh perspective and unique gifts the Lord has blessed and anointed him with to lead the worship and media ministry and to also be an emphasized help to administrative and a variety of different duties of the church where needed. He and his family are beyond excited as they look forward to the great things God has in store as they step out in faith to LOVE, GROW and SERVE under Pastor Shane and the amazing ministry staff that’s currently in place!
During all of these years Matthew has had someone very near and dear to him that has played key-intricate part in helping him turn his life over to God. That help has been his middle-school sweetheart and wife of 17 wonderful filled years, Mallory. He and Mallory had a moment of recommitting their hearts back to God in March of 2006 at Pulaski Church of God known as The Well currently and becoming members, just a few months before getting married. This sprung forward many seasons of fruitful and various bivocational ministries including being Youth Pastors for 5+ years. During this time, Matthew obtained his Exhorters and Ordained Minister license through the COG.
Family is EVERYTHING to Matthew and Mallory, especially since their daughters’, Joanna(6 yo)& Maddy(4 yo)have come along in March 2017 & August 2019. Time and attention to family means so much to Matthew. In his free time you’ll find him spending as much time as he can having great fun and taking care of his girls and being with his beautiful wife.
After working in the secular work field for 18+ yrs at a corrugated box plant called Valley Packaging owned by Green Bay Packaging, Matthew has accepted the responsibility and call by faith to be full time Assistant Pastor at The Well beginning Sunday, September 10th! Matthew will be bringing a fresh perspective and unique gifts the Lord has blessed and anointed him with to lead the worship and media ministry and to also be an emphasized help to administrative and a variety of different duties of the church where needed. He and his family are beyond excited as they look forward to the great things God has in store as they step out in faith to LOVE, GROW and SERVE under Pastor Shane and the amazing ministry staff that’s currently in place!
Dalton Pelfrey
Youth Pastor
dalton@thewellcog.org
dalton@thewellcog.org
Pastor Dalton and Brooke have been a part of The Well for several years, and have been the Youth Pastors for our Anchor Student Ministries since January of 2020. Pastor Dalton is credentialed with the Church of God Cleveland,TN as an Exhorter. Our youth are important to us, and Pastor Dalton and Brooke are intentional with every one of their students. Your teens will love this amazing couple and the Anchor Student Ministries family. Pastor Dalton and Brooke also work closely with Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Giles county.
Cara Braden
Childrens Pastor
cara@thewellcog.org
cara@thewellcog.org
Pastor Cara and Chad are our amazing Children's Pastors. They began working with the children's ministry in 2007, and in August of 2012, they became the Children's Pastors at The Well. Their daughters, Halle and Gracie, also volunteer along side their parents in K-Town. Chad is a Giles County Sheriff's Investigator, and serves as the head of our Security Team here at The Well. Pastor Cara is an Ordained Minister with the Church of God Cleveland,TN. Together they work hard to get your kids engaged and to help them grow in their faith through interactive worship, games, and other biblically educational activities. Pastor Cara also works as our church clerk.
Debbie Stanfield
Nursery Director
Having a nursery available is a top priority for us here at The Well.
Debbie Stanfield serves faithfully as our Nursery Director.
Mrs. Debbie is here every service to take care our babies,
and she is loved by all the children she watches over.
She also has a team of volunteers who help her with serving in the nursery. Having people who will love and serve all of our children is highly important to everyone here.
Debbie Stanfield serves faithfully as our Nursery Director.
Mrs. Debbie is here every service to take care our babies,
and she is loved by all the children she watches over.
She also has a team of volunteers who help her with serving in the nursery. Having people who will love and serve all of our children is highly important to everyone here.
Tomi Henderson
Church Administrator
tomi@thewellcog.org
Tomi and Robby Henderson have been members of The Well, since 2018. Robby has served on the Pastor's Council since 2019. Tomi joined our office staff in May of 2022, as our Church Administrator. She helps keep all the details straight. From keeping our Church Calendar, and making sure important dates don't slip past us; to keeping us in the know with what's happening in our community, and the list goes on. Tomi has a wonderful heart to see the ministries of The Well thrive, which makes her the perfect person for the job. We are thankful to have her on board with us in the office here at The Well.