Meet Our Team
Our Pastors
Garrette and Lesley Milliken
Garrette and Lesley Milliken joined Compassion Church in 2023 as lead pastors. They have been married for 9 years and are the proud parents of 3 beautiful children. Garrette accepted the call into ministry at the age of 18, serving in various ministry roles over the years including lead pastor, student pastor, grief counselor, and hospice chaplain. Garrette loves sharing the simple gospel, evangelizing, and spending his free time with his wife and kids. Lesley spends her time serving in the ministry of the home – raising children, homeschooling, cooking and baking.
Fun facts about the Millikens:
Garrette is a lover of UT football, hot wings, fruity candy, and fast cars.
Lesley loves to be in the kitchen but hates cleaning it. She loves coffee, trying new restaurants, and raising chickens.
The kids are funny and loud and messy and free spirited – exactly as God designed children to be.
Michelle McCaleb
CONNECTIONS PASTOR
Michelle@compassionchurch.cc
Michelle McCaleb is a hometown girl, born and raised in Waverly, TN. She started her journey with Compassion Church in 2013. After encountering Jesus in a new way, Michelle found community and purpose in serving and was hired as the Connections Pastor in 2017. She believes in the importance and power of connection – not just with individuals, but with their families as well.
Michelle takes an active role in her community. In 2013, she founded the non-profit Caring for Kids with Cancer that serves children who are fighting cancer and other serious illnesses. In addition to this, she currently serves as the chaplain for the Humphreys County Jail. She formerly worked as the Career Center Director at Work Force Essentials for Humphreys and Houston counties.
What you might not know about Michelle: She’s been married to her husband, Jeff, for 19 years. She has 3 amazing kids and 6 incredible grandchildren. Her favorite title is “Mimi”.
Quote: “But God.”
Catherine Rush
Kids Pastor
Crush@compassionchurch.cc
Susan Watts
CARE PASTOR
Susan@compassionchurch.cc
Susan Watts has been at Compassion Church since 2001. Originally a military kid from Bath, Maine, Susan spent her childhood moving around the country. Through this experience, she gained a love for adventure and travel.
Susan loves the way God connects people together. Her favorite part about ministry is that her and her team are able to walk alongside of the ones they serve whether they are celebrating or mourning. “When people need Jesus the most, I get to be a part of that. Everyone wants to be loved and I get to tell them about the One who loves them the most.”
What you might not know about Susan: She has been married to the love of her life, Jerry, for 45 years. She has 2 wonderful kids, 3 grandchildren, and one time she did somersaults down a hill in Switzerland.
Quote: “I forgive all.”
Austin Liverance
WORSHIP PASTOR
Austin@compassionchurch.cc
Austin Liverance became interested in music when he was 13 years old because of his desire to learn a Christmas song. Little did he know at the time, this was simply the first step down a path of discovering God’s purpose for his life. His love for music grew even more when he had the opportunity to work at a music studio in Nashville, TN.
Today, Austin is honored to use the gifts God has given him through serving as the worship pastor at Compassion Church. He loves that ministry builds a community of like-minded people that want to better themselves and, in turn, help others do the same.
What you might not know about Austin: He used to do BMX biking and his go-to coffee drink is 4 shots of espresso.
Quote: Esther 4:14 “…for such a time as this [and for this very purpose].”