Rebecca Alberti

My husband, Paul, and I moved to Durham about 3 ½ years ago from the Albany, NY area, which is where I am originally from. I have been working with refugees for the past 5 years, most recently at World Relief Durham. We had been coming to Blacknall for only a few weeks when I sat down with a group of strangers at the Block Party. They were friendly, and invited me to their small group, which really helped us get connected to the Blacknall community. I am currently serving on DMET and love the evening Women’s Bible Study group I am in.

My favorite verse is Psalm 62:8: “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” I am so grateful for Jesus, and my relationship with Him is the firm foundation of my life. I am convinced of the sovereignty of God and believe that He wants to be actively involved in our lives.

I appreciate the godly leadership and volunteer support at Blacknall. I enjoy connecting with others serving in the community, hospitality, game nights, and networking to get people/families the resources and support needed for their flourishing. As deacon, I am open to learning how I can strengthen connections with our neighbors, inside our church, and across the body of Christ.

Gail Funk

I surrendered my life to Christ as a child living with my grandmother. I was baptized in a Presbyterian church as well as in the Jordan River. I have joyously served my Lord for many years. I believe Christ died for me to forgive me for my sins. I am truly grateful to serve my Lord, and it is He I give all the glory.

I am older and I have been blessed to have a passion for serving the homeless through Fresh Start, Families Moving Forward, and Durham Rescue Mission, and at one time I served as a nurse at Samaritan Health Center. As a professional nurse, most of my career was spent serving oncology patients. Oncology was my calling from the Holy Spirit, and I have truly been blessed. At Blacknall I have served as usher, SS 2-year-old assistant teacher, served with the Guild, supported WBS, and in recent years and presently I study with a mighty group of very devoted Christian women in Bible Study Fellowship. Everything I do, I do for the glory of my God. I am truly, truly blessed to know Him as my Savior.

Chuck Hoover

I am married to Sarah, and we have three children: Hannah (9), Claire (5), and Timothy (1.5). I have a degree in chemical engineering, and I work in pharmaceutical validation. I enjoy reading, playing video games, playing board games, and discussing theology.

Our family started visiting Blacknall in the spring of 2023, because we have several friends who are here. From the first time we visited, we felt welcomed as part of the Blacknall family. That, along with the preaching, the liturgy, and the church’s connection to Durham, made it clear that Blacknall is a place where we could grow in our faith and serve both the church and our local community.

While I grew up in church, it was in college where I began to learn what the hope of Jesus’ death and resurrection meant for my life. My faith is rooted in that hope, as I look toward the redemption of all things. Through the different seasons of my life, my faith has led me to serve wherever there was a need.

Here at Blacknall, I’ve been delighted to serve in the nursery on Sunday mornings, and with a few men’s ministry events. I’m thankful for being asked to stand as Deacon, and I’m looking forward to finding deeper ways to serve our church and to grow in my faith through that service.

Cory Pikaart

I am married to Christian and mother to 5. I spend my days homeschooling the kids and working on our property in Bahama. I take great delight in cooking experiments and time in the garden. Both are daily reminders of God's design and my place in all of it. My days are filled with the joyful triumphs and epic failures that go with rearing children. I have been attending Blacknall for about 15 years and have enjoyed the community and work of the diaconate so much that I would love to serve another term.

Robert Smith

I am a 3rd-year Ph.D. student in Operations Research at NC State and call the Triangle home, having been here for about 20 years. I came to Blacknall in the winter of my first year at State, looking for a church after three years in D.C. I was immediately struck the first time I was there by the kindness and outgoingness of the members to welcome in someone new. There was also a clear intentionality and conviction about the intersection of faith and our role in the community that kept me coming back.

My faith is rooted in the conviction of the Holy Spirit, His forgiveness of us, and the unique gifts He gives us — and how these three aspects play a role in how we live out our lives. As someone who spends most of his time analyzing decision-making, I am continually reminded of the magnitude and beauty of the plans He has for each and every one of us, even if we cannot see the clear path ahead. In my free time, I help coach baseball at a local Christian high school, trying my best to impart wisdom and guidance about the intersection of our interests and how our faith informs them.

I am particularly excited about passing on and extending the kindness and openness that the congregation showed me early on to all who come through Blacknall’s doors.

Dan Struble

I am completing my first term as Deacon this year and served as Chairman for the last two years. I have been a member/attender at Blacknall for almost 10 years, and my favorite volunteer activity has been working in the nursery with the youngest participants in our congregation (Lambs). I am Associate Dean for External Relations at Duke Divinity School, where I have served for 12 years. I am married to Karen Struble, and we have two children (Amanda and Benjamin) and two grandsons (Miles and Max).

Hadley Taylor

I moved to Durham at the end of 2020 to work as a nurse. With a hope for community in faith, I found myself in Blacknall’s sanctuary in 2022. Through relationship in small groups and Bible studies with congregants of all ages, my relationship with Jesus and perspective on how I can see Christ in creation and relationship changed. I sought out membership in a church for the very first time with my then-fiancé, Tom, and under Goodie and Dave’s counsel, we were married at Blacknall within the year. The Holy Spirit has worked through the unique, passionate, and persistent individuals of Blacknall to encourage me by simply walking alongside me, as I walk with Christ. I continue to find joy in genuine relationship with God’s people, finding out what makes them tick, cry, and smile. As a deacon, I hope to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a way that makes others feel as sought after and as welcomed as I first did.