After much prayer and an extensive selection process, our Elder Council is pleased to present the following candidates to serve in the role of Elder for The Church at Brook Hills, beginning June 1.

SCOTT JAMES and his wife, Jaime, have been married since 2002 and are the parents of Will (20), Kirstine (18), Benjamin (15), and Bethan (13). They have been members of Brook Hills since 2008. Scott trusted Christ at the age of 7. He is a pediatric infectious diseases physician at UAB and is also an author of children's books and family devotionals.

Scott currently serves in children’s ministry on Sunday mornings and student ministry on Wednesday nights. He previously served as an elder from 2011-2017 and from 2018-2024. Scott considers his spiritual gifts to include teaching, leadership, and shepherding. 

When asked about what he enjoys most about serving as an Elder, Scott said:

“The relationships. Relationships with small group leaders as we provide shepherding care. Relationships with people as we help them through the membership process. Relationships with other elders as  we lock arms and support one another in the ministry to which God has called us. I love it, and am grateful for how the Lord works through it all.”

CHRIS KINSLEY and his wife, Liza, have been married since 2002 and are the parents of Story (16) and Haven (12). They have been members of Brook Hills since 2004. Chris professed faith in Christ at the age of 8. He works as our Communications Director where he provides leadership and coordination for Brook Hills’ overall communication strategy, including website, social media, graphic design, video, photography, and print.

Chris currently leads a small group, serves on an A-Team for some of our long-termers, regularly speaks in our Worship Gatherings, and preaches on occasion. He previously served as an elder from 2018-2024. Chris considers his spiritual gifts to include discernment, teaching, and wisdom.

When asked about what he enjoys most about serving as an Elder, Chris said:

“Out of the aspects of ministry at Brook Hills unique to the role of elder, what I enjoyed most was new member meetings. I love hearing the stories of how God brought people to faith and then led them to our church, and I consider it a real honor and privilege to help welcome and integrate new members into our faith family.”

SCOTT MCKNIGHT and his wife, Scottie, have been married since 2019 and are the parents of Wesleigh (3) and Adley (1). Scott has been a member of Brook Hills since 2001 and Scottie since 2020. Scott professed faith in Christ at the age of 6. He works as a Financial Advisor for Radiant Capital at Northwestern Mutual.

Scott helps lead his small group when the regular leader is unavailable and has previously led a small group in our singles ministry. He considers his spiritual gifts to include hospitality and service.

When asked about his desire to serve as an Elder, Scott said:

“God has used Brook Hills to instruct and shepherd me in my walk. I want to use the gifts that God has given me and live up to the calling that I've received. I'm comfortable at Brook Hills because I know Christ is preeminent in all that we do. I'd be honored to serve in ensuring we submit ourselves to the Word and that that truth echoes through small groups, households, and individuals in the church.”

JARED SHULL and his wife, Mohana, have been married since 2005 and are the parents of Nate (18) and Isaiah (17). They have been members of Brook Hills since 2009. Jared became a believer at the age of 9. He works as a film editor for Six Foot Five Productions.

Jared currently leads a small group and plays bass as part of our worship team. He previously served as an elder from 2018-2024. Jared considers his spiritual gifts to include encouragement, mercy, and hospitality.

When asked about what he enjoys most about serving as an Elder, Jared said:

“...I found my six years of serving as a Brook Hills elder to be one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. What I loved about serving as an elder includes, but is not limited to, the following: laying hands on and praying for those who are sick…meeting new members in personal membership meetings… and shepherding small group leaders.”

We are excited to present Scott James, Chris Kinsley, Scott McKnight, and Jared Shull to you and ask you to join us in prayerfully considering them for the role of Elder. If you are a member of Brook Hills, you are asked to express any biblical concerns you may have with any of these brothers. To do so, please contact the Elder Selection Team no later than Sunday, May 11. You may contact them by sending an email to , at which point a team member will respond to your concerns appropriately.

Following a two-week period of prayer and consideration, a vote of affirmation will be taken as part of our worship gatherings on Sunday, May 18. To view this information online, visit brookhills.org/eldercandidates.

For a list of current Elders, visit brookhills.org/elders.