Our Team
Rick McClain
Senior Pastor
Pastor Rick has served as the Senior Pastor at Christ Community Church since 1992. He has degrees in Christian ministry and biblical studies from Mid-America Christian University (BA ’83) and Anderson University School of Theology (MDiv ’86). He also has a doctoral degree from Fuller Theological Seminary (DMin 2002).
Beyond leading the church, Rick has served on the boards of various organizations in the Lake Charles community, including Hamilton Christian Academy, the Human Relations Commission for the city of Lake Charles, NAMI, the Southwest Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the Lake Charles Ministerial Association.
Rick is married to Wava. Wava teaches music at Dolby Elementary School, and she is active in the music and arts community in Lake Charles. Wava also serves as a part of the church’s worship band, and she helps to lead the children’s Christmas musical each year.
Together, Rick and Wava have two adult daughters and two grandchildren.
Steve Hardesty
Children’s Ministry
Pastor Steve has a large range of responsibilities. He serves as the Children’s Pastor, directing all children’s ministries that are sixth grade and below. He also serves as our Executive Pastor, managing the church’s finances, accounting, and campus.
Steve grew up at Christ Community Church, and he comes to our staff from a business background. He has been a member of our staff for more than 20 years.
Steve is married to Drucy, and she recently retired from her career as a pharmacist.
James Robertson
Youth Pastor
James Robertson has been a part of the Christ Community Church family since 2009 and currently serves as the Youth Pastor of FORGED Youth. With a passion for helping students discover their identity in Christ and build a faith that lasts, James is committed to investing in the next generation and equipping them to live boldly for Jesus.
Currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Christian Studies at Grand Canyon University, James combines biblical training with years of ministry experience to help students navigate life's challenges through a Christ-centered perspective.
James and his wife, Crystal, are proud parents of Bryce and Dakota and loving grandparents to Alyida and Kayce. Family is one of their greatest blessings, and they cherish every opportunity to spend time together.
James and Crystal share a deep love for Jesus and a heart for serving others. They believe every student has a God-given purpose and are passionate about creating a place where young people can belong, grow in their faith, and discover God's plan for their lives.
They are honored to be part of what God is doing through Christ Community Church and count it a privilege to serve the church family and community of Lake Charles.
Matt Shirley
Worship Pastor
Matt has been helping worship ministries in many churches in the Lake Charles area since moving to Carlyss in 2000. He met Jenn at a college Bible study and they married. God has blessed them with two handsome young men, Silas and Judah, and two beautiful young ladies, Ezra and Naomi. Matt's passion for believers is to ensure they understand that worship is a daily act, not just something done on Sunday. His life verse is Micah 6:8.
Carolyn Simon
Secretary
Carolyn, our church secretary, came to Christ Community Church in August of 2021. She is a graduate from UL at Lafayette, and also received certification in bookkeeping from Lafayette Regional Technical Institute, now SLCC, in 1992.
Carolyn is married to Jerry Simon, and their son’s name is Jack.