Our Team

Jay Hardwick :: Lead Pastor

In Awaken, Jay is primarily responsible for vision, preaching, fund-raising, and church planting. Prior to this new adventure in Columbia, Jay led the team that planted Catalyst Church in Greenville, SC, a strategic partner of North Point Ministries, which is led by Andy Stanley. Jay holds a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY and a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Greenville University in Tigerville, SC.

Columbia is the city where Jay and his wife, Lara Beth, grew up from elementary school through high school (Spring Valley HS Class of ‘96). While they never would have thought they’d call Columbia home again, they are passionate and committed to seeing a move of God in their hometown.

Jay is a die-hard Carolina Gamecock fan, a Starbucks addict, an Apple junkie, and a book worm. God has blessed Lara Beth and Jay with two amazing and hilarious girls who have already sworn to not date until they are 30.

You can keep up with Jay through his blog and you can email him at jay.hardwick@gmail.com.

Sam Frye :: Director of Community Missions

Sam just moved to Columbia in May 2009 after earning his Masters of Arts degree from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Sam is a native of Asheboro, NC and completed his undergraduate degree at Piedmont Bible College in Winston-Salem, NC, where he also played soccer.

In Summer 08, Sam was a church planting intern through the North American Mission Board and worked with Jay in the early formation of the vision, mission, and initial team development of Awaken Church. Over that summer, Sam saw the potential that exists for impact and transformation in Columbia and thus, has moved to be a part of it.

For now, Sam is a big fan of the “other” Carolina, but Jay is working really hard to change all that…and it seems to be working! Sam also works part-time at the Olive Garden in Northeast Columbia (free breadsticks!), coaches a youth soccer team, and loves most any sport you throw at him.

You can email Sam at samlfrye@gmail.com.