Hunter Greene
Home is where the heart is, and this heart has only known home to be found in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee. I was born and raised in Stoney Creek, TN, where I've lived nearly all my life.
Much of my raising happened in these mountains’ small, country churches, where I first came to love Christ. For better or worse, they gave me the opportunity to preach at the ripe age of sixteen. Since my first sermon, I’ve had the privilege of meeting and ministering to some of the most caring and loving people you could ever meet. I consider myself lucky to have had the chance to pastor a few of them while completing my undergraduate degree.
I graduated Milligan College with my B.A. in Political Science and Humanities while minoring in History and Bible. My interests at Milligan in theology and politics led me to Duke Divinity School, where I obtained my Master of Divinity in 2022. I now spend much of my professional time as a community organizer and writer, and in my free time, you can find me reading, playing basketball, or cheering on my Vols.
At heart, I’m just a baptist, hillbilly preacher who loves Christ, people, and the mountains. I don't claim to have any answers. I simply believe that Love is the deepest reality of our lives and has the power to create a world where all God's children are cherished and affirmed. It is this love on which I hope to build my life, and so also it is this love to which I will focus my writing.
JD McDonald
Contributing Writer
I'm JD McDonald. As the surname would imply, I'm descended from Scotch-Irish folks who moved into the Southern Appalachia generations ago. East Tennessee has always been home, even during seasons of life when my house and work have had to be in other places.
I'm a proper nerd currently pursuing my Doctorate in Ministry at Campbell University focusing on theology.
I'm a pastor. I've been working in churches for some 10 years and have ministered in para-church settings like chaplaincy and Christian non-profits too.
I'm a therapist. I did my MS in Clinical Mental Health at Milligan University in Elizabethton, TN which happens to be the place that Hunter and I became friends. I've worked with people in settings that range from college campuses, to private practice, to emergency foster care. All people in all places remind me that life is hard and purpose and beauty are deeply a part of what it means to be human.
I'm also Appalachian. Everything that's most important about me has been formed by mountains and mountain people. My love of gardening, my view of the world, my relationship with God, my desire and capacity for depth, and my independence and grit have all been cultivated by hillbillies in this hillbilly land. My hobbies, like fishing and camping or guitar and mandolin playing are tied to my upbringing. My style of preaching and teaching, simple and slow and full of storytelling are all a legacy of my life in Tennessee.
The last thing I'll say by way of introduction, is that even though I'm quick to belly laugh and cut up, I'm concerned. I think that the things which have made me me are changing. I think the gifts of hillbilly places and hillbilly culture are under threat. I believe and confess, that the only way to redeem them and bring them to their maturity in love is faith. That may not mean all that you'd first think, but there's your cliff hanger to engage in this space of reflection and prayer with us. Let's get to work.