John Hilley
Pastor
John became East Brentwood Presbyterian’s Minister October 2013, returning to pastoral work after years of nonprofit leadership and owning a consulting and software business called Patmos, LLC. He brings a strong skill set and experience in strategic planning, organizational leadership, and stewardship.
John brings life experience as a father / husband / brother / son, an understanding of what it means to run a business and a deep empathy of what many face in their work environments, and a desire to be more rooted in a community – all of which informs his preaching and teaching. He first came to Nashville in 1994 to serve as Senior Minister of The Downtown Presbyterian Church (1994-2000) and he has served other churches in the Middle Tennessee area, including Priest Lake Presbyterian Church. His work in the Presbyterian Church has taken him to work with churches in South Africa, New York City, New Jersey, and Iowa. About the church, John says: “God’s love is the mortar by which the community is built: our focus upon worship, education, and service is our proclamation.”
John is married to Kira Florita Hilley and they have 4 adult children: Aaron, Sam, Marrah and Rick. He enjoys kayaking, bicycling, and hiking with his friends and his dogs Lucy and Boomer. He holds degrees from Wake Forest University and Princeton Theological Seminary and has taken post-graduate fellowship studies at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Earlier in 2020 he returned to South Africa on a sabbatical to explore with church and community leaders how their history concerning race and equity concerns could benefit our own church and national landscape. John serves on the U.S. Advisory Committee of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation and is an Advisory Board Member of the Center for Business Ethics at Belmont University. He also serves on the Church Transformation Committee of the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee.
John brings life experience as a father / husband / brother / son, an understanding of what it means to run a business and a deep empathy of what many face in their work environments, and a desire to be more rooted in a community – all of which informs his preaching and teaching. He first came to Nashville in 1994 to serve as Senior Minister of The Downtown Presbyterian Church (1994-2000) and he has served other churches in the Middle Tennessee area, including Priest Lake Presbyterian Church. His work in the Presbyterian Church has taken him to work with churches in South Africa, New York City, New Jersey, and Iowa. About the church, John says: “God’s love is the mortar by which the community is built: our focus upon worship, education, and service is our proclamation.”
John is married to Kira Florita Hilley and they have 4 adult children: Aaron, Sam, Marrah and Rick. He enjoys kayaking, bicycling, and hiking with his friends and his dogs Lucy and Boomer. He holds degrees from Wake Forest University and Princeton Theological Seminary and has taken post-graduate fellowship studies at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Earlier in 2020 he returned to South Africa on a sabbatical to explore with church and community leaders how their history concerning race and equity concerns could benefit our own church and national landscape. John serves on the U.S. Advisory Committee of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation and is an Advisory Board Member of the Center for Business Ethics at Belmont University. He also serves on the Church Transformation Committee of the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee.
Nate Strasser
Music Director
Nate Strasser is the music director at East Brentwood Presbyterian Church and an adjunct professor at Belmont University.
Nate Strasser is a distinguished pianist, composer, and music director whose career reflects a remarkable blend of versatility and artistry. Currently serving as the music director and staff accompanist at Belmont University, Nate has made significant contributions to the world of music through his international performances, as well as his work in television, film, and video game scoring. Nate's musical journey has taken him to prestigious stages around the globe, including in Scotland, Austria, China, and the United Kingdom. His work in television is equally impressive, with performances featured in popular shows such as Netflix’s Franklin and Emily in Paris, as well as NBC’s coverage of the 2024 Summer Olympics. He also composed additional music for the Netflix series Captain Fall, showcasing his compositional talent.
Beyond performance and composition, Nate has been a key figure in supporting other renowned artists, providing music preparation for Dave Matthews and Seth MacFarlane, and serving as an orchestrator for Oscar-nominated composer Carter Burwell. His contributions to the film industry include playing piano for acclaimed films like the Oscar-nominated Harriet and the Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance with Somebody. In the video game industry, he brought his expertise to the role of stadium organist for the EA Sports video game NHL 2025.
Nate’s achievements in composition include two symphonies, one of which was commissioned by the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra for its 90th anniversary. His original music has also been featured at Navy Pier in Chicago during the 2024 Slate Technology Summit. Strasser joined forces with Matt Combs, a featured performer on the Grand Ole Opry, to compose a piece for fiddle, piano and full orchestra entitled Appalachian Rhapsody. The album was released as a fundraiser for EBPC. For more info visit AmericanaCarols.org.
Nate lives in Franklin, TN with his wife, his two children, and two dogs.
Nate Strasser is a distinguished pianist, composer, and music director whose career reflects a remarkable blend of versatility and artistry. Currently serving as the music director and staff accompanist at Belmont University, Nate has made significant contributions to the world of music through his international performances, as well as his work in television, film, and video game scoring. Nate's musical journey has taken him to prestigious stages around the globe, including in Scotland, Austria, China, and the United Kingdom. His work in television is equally impressive, with performances featured in popular shows such as Netflix’s Franklin and Emily in Paris, as well as NBC’s coverage of the 2024 Summer Olympics. He also composed additional music for the Netflix series Captain Fall, showcasing his compositional talent.
Beyond performance and composition, Nate has been a key figure in supporting other renowned artists, providing music preparation for Dave Matthews and Seth MacFarlane, and serving as an orchestrator for Oscar-nominated composer Carter Burwell. His contributions to the film industry include playing piano for acclaimed films like the Oscar-nominated Harriet and the Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance with Somebody. In the video game industry, he brought his expertise to the role of stadium organist for the EA Sports video game NHL 2025.
Nate’s achievements in composition include two symphonies, one of which was commissioned by the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra for its 90th anniversary. His original music has also been featured at Navy Pier in Chicago during the 2024 Slate Technology Summit. Strasser joined forces with Matt Combs, a featured performer on the Grand Ole Opry, to compose a piece for fiddle, piano and full orchestra entitled Appalachian Rhapsody. The album was released as a fundraiser for EBPC. For more info visit AmericanaCarols.org.
Nate lives in Franklin, TN with his wife, his two children, and two dogs.
Amanda Cook
Preschool Director
Amanda Cook grew up in a suburb outside of New Orleans, Louisiana. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Human Development from Southeast Louisiana University. Over the years, Amanda has built a diverse career with roles in foster care and adoption, family social work, crisis intervention, and preschool education. When her and her family moved to middle TN she began her role as the director of a church-based Parents Day Out program. Most recently, Amanda found great fulfillment as the assistant director at EBCA, and has stepped into an interim director role where her passion for supporting children and families continues to thrive. She feels especially grateful for the opportunities to connect with the children and families she serves within her community.
Amanda lives in Arrington with her husband, John, and their three teenage boys. Together, they enjoy traveling, hiking, boating, volunteering, SEC football (Geaux Tigers!), and serving through their church’s ministries.
Amanda lives in Arrington with her husband, John, and their three teenage boys. Together, they enjoy traveling, hiking, boating, volunteering, SEC football (Geaux Tigers!), and serving through their church’s ministries.
leticia tyler
Coordinator of Community Engagement, Service and Mission
Leticia’s experience with Monroe Harding working with young adults, at Lighthouse Christian School as a teacher, and with the Girl Scouts of Genesse Valley (New York) as a Membership Executive have enriched her knowledge of the challenges and contributions of non-profits and the service and mission opportunities in partnerships like EBPC already has in our community. Leticia says “this is a wonderful fit—it is great to see how God has aligned my strengths and what brings me joy with the mission and passion at EBPC/EBCA.” She said “I can’t wait to get started” as she hurried out the door to meet an exchange student from Thailand who will be living with her family for the next two years. She describes herself as an artist---“I love doing anything creative—painting, woodworking and sewing.”
Leticia and her family are active in their own church but she will be worshipping with us also on a regular basis, so please introduce yourself and share your passion for our ministry at EBPC.
Leticia and her family are active in their own church but she will be worshipping with us also on a regular basis, so please introduce yourself and share your passion for our ministry at EBPC.
becky walton
Office Manager
Becky is a graduate of Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Human Resources. Becky has over 20 years of corporate HR experience and is joining East Brentwood Presbyterian Church as the office manager. Becky lives in Smyrna with her son, Noah and 2 dogs, Lucy and Ethel. She enjoys historical research and conservation.
Becky has logged over 100,000 miles traversing the back roads of TN capturing photos, memories and the soon to be forgotten history of abandoned homesteads, farms and natural structures. She also enjoys jigsaw puzzles, reading and watching documentaries.
Becky has logged over 100,000 miles traversing the back roads of TN capturing photos, memories and the soon to be forgotten history of abandoned homesteads, farms and natural structures. She also enjoys jigsaw puzzles, reading and watching documentaries.
christopher peterson
Coordinator of Youth Ministry
Christopher is a spiritual director and researcher in his main vocation. At the heart of his research is direct spiritual experience, myth, ritual, theology and depth psychology. His spiritual direction practice focuses on people going through periods of major transition, deconstructing and rebuilding their faith, integrating strong spiritual experiences, wrestling with gender or sexual expression, or alternative spiritual practices. Chris hopes to bring these tools and experiences to EPBC to serve the current and future generations of this congregation. It is his hope to be a part of a congregation that continually produces workers, healers, and leaders that have a heart for serving Nashville.
