WHO We ARE
Nathan Hargrave is the founding and preaching pastor of Twelve5 Church, a Reformed Baptist church in Jonesboro, Arkansas, serving families throughout Northeast Arkansas with Christ-centered preaching, biblical discipleship, and gospel-driven community life.
Nathan has been married to his wife, Erika, for over 22 years. Together they have four children, two grown and two still at home. His family roots run deep in Northeast Arkansas, where he spent his childhood in Jonesboro, Arkansas. His father, Dr. Roy Hargrave, served as pastor of Philadelphia Baptist Church in the 1980s, giving Nathan early exposure to pastoral ministry and local church life.
During his teenage and adult years, Nathan lived in Ormond Beach, Florida, where he met Erika and was discipled with a strong conviction for biblical preaching and faithful church leadership. In 2016, the Hargrave family returned to Jonesboro because of their love for the people and community of Northeast Arkansas. He soon had a growing burden to see a church firmly grounded in Reformed Baptist theology established in the region.
In September 2020, Nathan and Erika planted Twelve5 Church in their home with the support and pastoral oversight of Riverbend Community Church in Ormond Beach, Florida. What began as a small gathering has grown into a local church committed to expository preaching, sound doctrine, meaningful church membership, and disciple-making ministry.
Nathan’s ministry philosophy is driven by a passion for the glory of Christ, the health of the local church, deep discipleship, and the need for a confessionally Reformed Baptist church in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Twelve5 Church exists to proclaim the gospel, equip believers through Scripture, and cultivate faithful disciples who live for Christ in Northeast Arkansas and beyond.
Jeremiah Nortier serves as a Pastor and Elder at Twelve5 Church, a Reformed Baptist church in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where he focuses on equipping believers in biblical theology, apologetics, and faithful Christian living. He is also widely known as the voice behind The Apologetic Dog, a teaching ministry devoted to helping Christians think clearly about their faith and defend the truth of the gospel.
A graduate of Arkansas State University, Jeremiah has been actively involved in Christian ministry since 2016. His passion for God’s Word, sound doctrine, and the spiritual growth of the local church is evident in his commitment to teaching and discipling believers throughout Jonesboro and Northeast Arkansas.
Jeremiah began attending and serving at Twelve5 Church just two weeks after the church plant launched in 2020. As the congregation grew, he faithfully served in teaching, discipleship, and apologetics ministry before being formally installed as an elder in January of 2023. In his pastoral role, he works closely with church leadership to strengthen theological understanding and cultivate a congregation grounded in Scripture.
His primary ministry focus is equipping Christians to give a biblical defense for the hope that is within them (1 Peter 3:15) through apologetics training, doctrinal instruction, and practical discipleship. Jeremiah is deeply committed to helping believers engage culture with clarity, confidence, and conviction rooted in historic Reformed Baptist theology.
Jeremiah and his wife, Ali, have been married for 10 years and are raising their son, JJ, affectionately known as the “Apologetic Puppy.” Together, they serve the church family at Twelve5 Church and invest in strengthening Christian families across Jonesboro, Arkansas, and the surrounding Northeast Arkansas community.
Keith Henick serves as an Elder and Church Administrator at Twelve5 Church, a Reformed Baptist church in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where he assists in shepherding the congregation through teaching, counseling, administration, and pastoral care. His steady leadership and servant-hearted ministry help support the church’s mission of making and equipping disciples throughout Jonesboro and Northeast Arkansas.
Keith holds a degree in Business Administration from Arkansas State University and a Master of Science from the University of Arkansas. Prior to retirement, he served as the Director of Quality Assurance and Food Safety at Riceland Foods, where he developed decades of experience in leadership, organizational oversight, and operational excellence. He now applies those skills in service to the local church, helping strengthen the structure and day-to-day ministry of Twelve5 Church.
Keith and his wife, Karon, began attending Twelve5 Church at its inception in 2020 and faithfully served as founding members of the church plant. After years of demonstrated faithfulness, service, and spiritual maturity, Keith entered the elder training process in 2022 after being encouraged by Pastor Nathan, who recognized his shepherd’s heart and commitment to caring for the church body. He was officially installed as an elder in March 2024.
In his role as elder and church administrator, Keith contributes to preaching, teaching, counseling, and pastoral shepherding, helping cultivate a healthy, biblically grounded congregation shaped by Reformed Baptist theology, meaningful church membership, and intentional discipleship.
Keith and Karon have been married for 48 years and are blessed with two grown sons and four grandchildren. Together, they remain deeply invested in serving the church family and supporting gospel ministry across Jonesboro, Arkansas, and the broader Northeast Arkansas community.
Deacons
The deacons of Twelve5 Church, a Reformed Baptist church in Jonesboro, Arkansas, serve as faithful servants who care for the practical and physical needs of the congregation. Following the biblical pattern established in Acts 6, the office of deacon exists to strengthen the health and unity of the local church by ensuring that tangible needs within the church body are met with wisdom, compassion, and diligence.
Through their service, the deacons help guard and support the ministry of the Word and Sacraments by enabling the elders to devote themselves primarily to prayer, the study of Scripture, preaching, teaching, and the shepherding of the spiritual needs of the congregation. This partnership between elders and deacons promotes a biblically ordered church where both spiritual oversight and practical care function together for the building up of the body of Christ.
At Twelve5 Church, deacons play a vital role in fostering gospel-centered community life by serving members and families throughout Jonesboro and Northeast Arkansas, helping the church live out biblical discipleship in both word and deed.
Ministry Directors
did the name
Twelve 5 Church
come from?
Where