After much prayer and an extensive selection process, our Elder Council is pleased to present the following candidates to serve in the role of Elder for The Church at Brook Hills, beginning June 1.

Luke Burleson and his wife, Savannah, have been married since 2011 and are the parents of Dean (8), Whitt (5), and Barrett (2). They have been members of Brook Hills since 2015. Luke professed faith in Christ and was baptized at the age of 11. He is a practicing emergency physician and an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Luke currently co-leads an adult small group, serves in Preschool Ministry, volunteers with our Emergency Response Team for church gatherings, and is also part of an A-team supporting one of our mid-termers. Luke considers his spiritual gifts to include teaching and faith.

When asked about his desire to serve as an Elder, Luke said:

“I desire to be an elder because I love Jesus, I love His Church, and I love The Church at Brook Hills. I want to see it continue to grow and thrive, and the mission of God move forward, and for disciples of Jesus to be made.”

Alan Chappell and his wife, Melissa, have been married since 2004 and are the parents of Noah (16), Caroline (14), and Savannah (12). They have been members of Brook Hills since 2015. Alan professed faith in Christ and was baptized at the age of 22. He works as a project manager for Jordan Excavating. 

Alan currently serves as a small group leader in our student ministry for 10th grade boys and as an A-Team leader for some of our long-termers. He has previously served as an Elder, as a  Frontline Ministries Coordinator, a Wednesday-night leader in BH Kids, and as an adult small group leader. He considers his spiritual gifts to be leadership, administration, teaching, wisdom, and knowledge.

When asked about his desire to serve as an Elder again, Alan said:

“Though there is a seriousness to the service; when I think about serving as an elder at Brook Hills, it makes me smile. I love this church.”

Jay Gordon and his wife, Liz, have been married since 1985 and are the parents of two grown children. They have been members of Brook Hills since 2012. Jay professed faith in Christ at the age of 13 and was baptized when he was 18. He works on staff here for Brook Hills as our Adult and Small Groups Minister.

In addition to his staff role as Adult/Small Groups Minister, Jay leads a group for parents of teens and empty-nesters on Sunday mornings. He has also previously served as an Elder. Jay considers his spiritual gifts to be in the areas of administration, leadership, and shepherding.

When asked about his desire to serve as an Elder again, Jay said:

“I love to serve, to get to know new people and help them assimilate into the body. I also love caring for our people and helping them grow in Christ.”

Tom Werk and his wife, Dedy, have been married since 1988 and are the parents of eight: Tyler (32), Morgan (30), Brooks (26), Molly (23), Blake (20), Alyssa (18), Aleah (17), and Lizzie (15). They have been members of Brook Hills since 1991. Tom professed faith in Christ and was baptized at the age of 10. He is the owner and manager of Werk Innovative Homes, a custom home building company.

Tom currently leads an adult small group and serves with our ESL ministry at FBC Hoover on Thursday nights. He has previously served as an Elder, and has also served with our foster care and adoption ministry, Rock the Block, and student ministry. In fact, Tom was our first-ever Student Minister for Brook Hills. Tom considers his spiritual gifts to include encouragement, mercy, and teaching.

When asked about his desire to serve as an Elder again, Tom said:

“I want to be open to follow God’s plans for my life. I love the family of The Church at Brook Hills and want to serve, if I were called to do so and it’s God’s plan.” 

We are excited to present Luke Burleson, Alan Chappell, Jay Gordon, and Tom Werk to you and ask you to join us in prayerfully considering them for the role of Elder. If you are a member of Brook Hills, you are asked to express any biblical concerns you may have with any of these brothers. To do so, please contact the Elder Selection Team no later than Sunday, May 12. You may contact them by sending an email to , at which point a team member will respond to your concerns appropriately.

Following a two-week period of prayer and consideration, a vote of affirmation will be taken as part of our worship gatherings on Sunday, May 19. 

For a list of current Elders, visit brookhills.org/elders.