Brent Walker
Lead Pastor
Brent was born in North Carolina into a loving family with five sisters and a brother. Though he’s moved around, he still remains a Tar Heel fan. Brent gave his heart to Jesus as a young man at the age of 19.
He graduated from God’s Bible School and College (B.A.) located in Cincinnati, OH. A few years later he graduated from Nazarene Theological Seminary (M.Div.) in Kansas City, Missouri. Starting out in the Wesleyan Denomination he transferred to the Church of the Nazarene, where he was ordained as an Elder. Brent has pastored in Indiana, North Carolina, Kentucky and South Carolina.
He is married to Victoria. They have a blended family of 7 grown children and 4 grandchildren.
Brent and Victoria, convinced of the Lord’s leading, moved to West Columbia in April, 2016 to serve as lead pastor at West Columbia Central Church of the Nazarene.
He enjoys watching NFL, College Basketball, Animal Planet, and the news. Brent enjoys the outdoors, yard work, the ocean and pretty much anything chocolate – especially chocolate iced glazed donuts! And hot Krispy Kreme donuts for sure…well, Brent pretty much enjoys anything sweet.
Connie Hoover
Nazarene Missions International Director (NMI)
Connie felt her calling to ministry at a young age. She began teaching a Beginner Sunday School Class when she was 14 years old. She has always been involved in multiple areas of Church Ministry including teaching, music and missions. She attended Bible College where she felt God calling her to service as a missionary. Afterward, she completed a BA in Elementary Education. She worked as a public school teacher for several years. In 1981 she served with Wycliffe Bible Translators/Summer Institute Linguistics as a teacher for the children of mission personnel in the Philippines and in 1991 as a tutor for a family in Mali, West Africa. In 1992 she realized that God had other plans for her to become a promoter of missions rather than a missionary. She joined Central Church in 1987 and has served in various areas including on the Nazarene Missions International (NMI) Council. In 2004, she accepted the position of NMI President for Central Church in which she continues to serve. She also serves as teacher for the Anybody’s Bible Class (ABC) in the Discipleship Ministries Department. She retired from the SC Department of Public Safety in 2018.
Shanda Millender
Youth Ministries Director
Shanda Millender serves as the Youth Director at CCN, bringing a deep passion for ministry and a strong commitment to nurturing the spiritual growth of young people. She and her husband, Dave, are proud parents of three children—two of whom are actively involved in the youth group. Their family’s faith journey has been a cornerstone of Shanda’s calling to youth ministry.
A lifelong member of Pelion Nazarene Church, Shanda has been engaged in many facets of church life since birth. Her service has included roles on the church board, leading fundraising initiatives, and organizing events that build community and fellowship. In 2023, feeling led to take a new step in her faith journey, Shanda joined CCN and embraced the role of Youth Director, inspired by her desire to guide her own teenagers and their peers in their walk with Christ.
Professionally, Shanda is a Case Management Supervisor at the Richland and Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs Board. Her compassionate leadership extends beyond her career into her ministry, where she works to create a welcoming and supportive space for all youth.
Outside of her professional and ministry roles, Shanda enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing card and board games, vacationing in the mountains, getting lost in a good book, eating great food, and taking peaceful walks—though those walks aren’t always so peaceful thanks to her two miniature German schnauzers, Lucy and Toby.
Shanda’s message to youth is simple but powerful: you don’t have to be perfect to seek God. She hopes to inspire a deep hunger in each young person to develop a daily, personal relationship with Him—starting right where they are.
Madison Martin
Children's Ministries Director
I have attended Central Church since birth being an active member in both the children and youth ministries. In my Sophmore year of high school, I took over leadership at Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
The Lord has truly blessed me with generations of family members who were called to serve and now I too have heard God's call to serve in His ministry at Central.
As a current student at Paul Mitchell School of Cosmetology the Lord has opened the doors into Children's Ministry. It has been the best journey and I feel so blessed to have my family and their support through prayer.
My calling now is to pour the word of God into the generation of now and the ones to come!
Linda Wright
Office Secretary
LINDA WAS BORN IN Indiana AND LIVED THERE UNTIL HER MARRIAGE TO GLEN WRIGHT IN 1967. THE FIRST 4 YEARS OF THEIR MARRIAGE THEY LIVED IN Bangor, Maine AND THEN SEDALIA, MISSOURI. GleN WAS SERVING IN THE AIR FORCE DURING THAT TIME. WHILE IN MISSOURI THEY WERE BLESSED WITH THEIR DAUGHTER, AND ONLY CHILD, JOANNE. AFTER GLEN’S DISCHARGE FROM THE AIR FORCE, THEY MOVED BACK TO INDIANA, AND GLEN RESUMED HIS EMPLOYMENT WITH GENERAL MOTORS.
LiNDA SPENT OVER 30 YEARS WORKING IN VARIOUS CAPACITIES FOR THEIR HOME CHURCH IN FORTVILLE, INDIANA. IN 2013, SHE AND GLEN MOVED TO LEXINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA TO BE NEAR THEIR DAUGHTER AND HER FAMILY. GLEN AND LINDA HAVE 1 GRANDDAUGHTER, 2 GRANDSONS AND ONE GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER.
LINDA’S INTERESTS ARE BAKING, DECORATING, JIGSAW AND CROSSWORD PUZZLES, READING, VISITING WITH FRIENDS, AND WORSHIPPING WITH THE CHURCH FAMILY OF CENTRAL CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE.