Our Pastors

<span style="color:var(--tertiary-color-bg)"><b>Jonathan</b> Blankenship</span>

Jonathan Blankenship

Lead Pastor | Elder

Jonathan returned to his hometown of Charlotte in 2008 to re-launch Laurel Baptist Church. He was raised in a pastor's home and began following Christ at a young age. Jonathan has earned a Bachelor's degree in Pastoral Ministry and a Master's degree in Biblical Studies, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree in Counseling from Liberty University. He is passionately committed to expository preaching, having an intense desire to make the word of God fully known so that the people of God might be fully mature (Colossians 1:28-29). He and his wife Kathleen were married in 2004, and they have 4 children: Kate, Keegan, Ellie, and Jayden.

Harold Blankenship

Associate Pastor | Elder

Harold came to Laurel in 2023 to oversee our pastoral care and counseling ministry, coordinate events and missions, and assist in the teaching and preaching ministry of the church. He and his wife Peggy have been married for 44 years, and they have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Pastor Harold has been in pastoral ministry for over 40 years, serving as the Lead Pastor in churches in WV, TN, and NC. His wisdom, experience, humility, and heart has brought to our church exciting new opportunities for spiritual growth and discipleship. He loves helping young preachers and is passionate about telling others the good news of Jesus Christ.

Malcom Peréz

Assistant Pastor | Elder

Malcom came to Laurel in 2023 from Matagalpa, Nicaragua. In addition to overseeing our maintenance work, he serves pastorally to the Spanish ministry (Iglesia Bautista Laurel). Malcom became a follower of Jesus as a teenager and later enrolled in the Bible college at Global Bible University, where he graduated with a B.A. degree in Bible and Pastoral Ministry. Prior to coming to the United States, he served as both an Assistant Pastor and Lead Pastor/Church Planter in Nicaragua. He is passionate about reaching the Latin American culture in our community.

<font color="#2a509d"><span style="caret-color: rgb(42, 80, 157);"><b>Lee</b> Smith</span></font>

Lee Smith

Elder

Originally from Washington, NC, Lee is a retired 26-year U.S. Army veteran. He came to faith in Christ at the age of 11 and is a founding member of the LBC re-plant in 2008. Lee has served in nearly every volunteer role at the church, including a staff role as Director of Facilities from 2010 to 2023. Today, he counts it an honor of a lifetime to help shepherd our congregation as an elder. Lee and his wife, Evelyn, reside in Harrisburg. Together, they have 4 adult children, 12 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.

<font color="#2a509d"><span style="caret-color: rgb(42, 80, 157);"><b>SteveN</b> Funderburke</span></font>

SteveN Funderburke

Elder

Steve and his wife, Tiffany, live in Harrisburg and joined Laurel Baptist Church in August of 2015. Since that time, they have served in a variety of ministry roles through our church, including in our deacon and small groups ministry. Steve is the Vice President of Manufacturing at Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated in Charlotte. God has given Steve gifts of teaching and administration that have been used in advancing the gospel in every local church where he and his family have resided. Steven and Tiffany are originally from Hartsville, SC, and have 2 adult children and 4 grandchildren.

<font color="#2a509d"><span style="caret-color: rgb(42, 80, 157);"><b>Stephen</b> Parker</span></font>

Stephen Parker

Elder

"Parker," as he is affectionately called, retired from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in 2025 after nearly 30 years of service. In his retirement, he continues to counsel first responders through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the Boulder Crest Foundation, in Struggle Well, a post-traumatic growth program for military and first responders. Parker and his wife, Cheryl, joined LBC in 2022, and they live in Charlotte. They have 2 adult children and 1 grandchild. Parker was born and raised in Newington, CT.

<font color="#2a509d"><span style="caret-color: rgb(42, 80, 157);"><b>Aleks</b> Druzhkov</span></font>

Aleks Druzhkov

Elder

Aleks is an Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor for Delta Airlines, carrying out his responsibilities at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. He came to faith in Christ at age 13 and quickly fell in love with God's Word. Working a full-time job and raising a family, he enrolled in seminary and completed a Bachelor's Degree in Theology and Biblical Studies from The Master's Seminary. He is currently enrolled in the Masters of Biblical Exposition program at Liberty Theological Seminary. Aleks and his wife Marina lead our young adults ministry and serve in a variety of church ministries. They have 3 boys, Charlie, Theodore, and Thomas.