MEET OUR STAFF
Rick Whittier Lead Pastor
Pastor Rick has been at Arlington since 1998 and has been on staff since 2001. He is a graduate of Southern Evangelical Seminary and is currently pursuing his Doctorate from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Rick lives in Mint Hill with his wife Tina and their four boys, Zachary, Noah, Jackson, and David. In his free time he enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking.
Cliff McAtee Mission Pastor
Pastor Cliff coordinates the missions and discipleship incentives at Arlington Baptist Church to lead each church family member to become effective disciple makers for Christ. Both he and his wife, Krista, grew up on the mission field in South East Asia. After marrying, they returned to the mission field and served for 13 years. They have three children – Amber, Mikayla and Connor.
Joshua Walker Student Pastor
Pastor Josh coordinates the youth and college ministries at Arlington Baptist Church. He has been at Arlington since 2020. He is a graduate of Gardner-Webb University and is currently pursuing a Master's in Christian Apologetics from Biola University. He is married to his wife Katie and has a son named Rhodes.
Carson Branham Worship Pastor
Pastor Carson has been a part of our church family since 2023 and is so excited to be here. He oversees the worship and music ministries here at Arlington. He is a graduate of Gardner Webb University and enjoys making music, reading books, and watching football. He is married to his wife Madeline and they live in Gastonia, NC.
Cindy Sustar Director of Arlington Christian Academy
She has nineteen years teaching experience, five in Texas, two in Guatemala, five in California, and an additional four in West Africa. She served for four years as an Education Consultant through the International Mission Board to families living in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Cindy graduated from Dallas Baptist University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, with a Kindergarten Endorsement and a Mathematics Specialization. She has completed thirty course hours at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and obtained a Master’s in Urban Education from Grand Canyon University.
Cindy has facilitated the process of starting Arlington Christian Academy in order to provide a nurturing, Christian environment to the families in Mint Hill and surrounding areas. She is passionate about educating children in a Christian Worldview and equipping them with the tools to be Godly role models throughout their lives.
Cindy accepted Christ as her savior at the age of 10. She felt called to be an educator and a missionary from a young age. She and her husband Ben have raised three daughters Rachel, Christin and Karis. She and her family served as missionaries in West Africa through the International Mission Board from 2000-2021. She homeschooled her daughters in grades Kindergarten, First and Second.
Ben has been a member at Arlington Baptist Church since 1980. Cindy became a member in 2003. Arlington Baptist Church members have been faithful prayer supporters of the Sustar’s as well as sending volunteer teams to serve alongside them in West Africa. Arlington Baptist Church is home to the Sustars because of the caring congregation and their mission minded focus in sharing the Gospel with those in our community, throughout the U.S. and overseas.
Johanna Hill Director of Children's Ministry
Johanna Hill is one of the directors of Children's Ministry at Arlington Baptist Church. She has a heart for Biblical literacy, encouraging children and their families to read and know God's Word, and gets excited when kids have an A-ha! moment! Originally from Uruguay, this Spanish speaker calls Mint Hill home, along with her husband, Dan and their four children.
Mallory Hill Director of Arlington Christian Academy Preschool
Mallory and her husband, Jeremy, have been at Arlington since 2011. After a career teaching and supporting elementary math in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Mallory joined the staff at Arlington as the director of Arlington Christian Academy Preschool in January 2023. She is a graduate of UNC Charlotte. Mallory enjoys reading and camping, although her heart is happiest sharing Jesus anywhere from within the walls of the preschool to the ends of the Earth.
Kristina Wells Director of Children's Ministry
Kristina Wells is one of the directors of the children's ministry at Arlington Baptist Church. She originally trained as an elementary school teacher, teaching overseas in New Zealand and in the United states. She is grateful to have the opportunity to serve the families and children at Arlington Baptist Church, teaching them to develop a personal relationship with Jesus and to learn the Word of God. She and her husband, Tim, live in Mint Hill with their four energetic children.
Ashley McGuire Financial Administrator
As Arlington's financial administrator, Ashley was blessed to train under the legendary "Ms. Pat." A Matthews native and UNC-Chapel Hill grad, she now lives in Mint Hill with her husband and a houseful of pets. She’s a former proofreader and copy editor, and whenever possible, she enjoys curling up with a cup of coffee and a good book.
Christy Hudson Office Manager
If you call the church office, chances are high that Christy is who you’ll be speaking with! Born and raised in the mountains of North Carolina, she graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Religion. She now lives locally with her husband, Daniel, 2 children (Ezra and Selah) and the most adorable Chihuahuas of all time. Christy loves the idea of finishing a cup of coffee while it’s still hot, but that’s just not her journey. She enjoys reading, treasure hunting in thrift stores, and celebrating with other Believers all the incredible ways the Lord is at work!