About
Our History
SOJO Church was started in the living room of Corey and Betsy Alley in November of 2017. What started out as a thought to start small house churches in apartment complexes has turned into a dream of being a Healthy, Mission Driven, and Discipleship Focused Church of 300 in multiple locations in the greater Cabarrus County region.
SOJO had its first public worship service in the cafeteria of Weddington Hills Elementary School on February 24th of 2019. And had its one year anniversary at WHES on March 8th 2020. Because of COVID-19 and lockdowns we never were able to return to WHES. We then went to a local ice cream shop called Papa Robb’s and had a drive-in service from May to November of 2020. While this was a scary time in our world, this was truly a special time for us as a church. In October of 2020 the opportunity to relocate to Downtown Concord was secured and we had our first official services on October 4th of 2020.
It has been an incredible ride for us as a church. We have been able to grow not just in numbers but in spirit, vision, and mission! We are excited and hope-filled for what our future is to be, not just for those inside of our faith community, but also for our community around us.
We believe that a church should not exist for itself, but it should show the light of Jesus in its community and this is why we believe and act in such a way to bring hope, life, and love to our public square in the areas of schools, non-profits, local businesses, and first responders. We believe that if we shut our doors that our community should miss us! Not just the people who come to SOJO on Sundays.
About Us
SOJO is a faith community with a cause. That cause is to help people! We want to help people discover a hope filled life, a real life changing purpose, and a peace that the trouble of this world cannot shake. And we believe strongly that all of these things are found in the person and redeeming work of Jesus.
We are a diverse community of people of multiethnic and multigenerational backgrounds who have found something life changing in common. And beyond anything we want you to find that too! Please come and find what so many others just like you.
We say we are a healthy, mission driven, and discipleship focused church of more than 300 people in each location.
SOJO Church is deeply embedded in the lives of the people who come to worship services and beyond but also wants to be rooted and supportive of the communities we dwell within. We are deeply supportive of our local community, state, nation, and our world. We call this being mission driven to effect change in our Here, Our Near, and Our Far
Our Pastor
Pastor Corey loves people and has had a radical transformation since he used to be a product of addiction and the lifestyle that surrounds that. He has had deep hurt and pain in his life but still loves to tell people the great love and purpose that Jesus Christ offers. Pastor Corey is one of the most real and relatable individuals you will ever meet.
Pastor Corey is married to his greatest earthly love Betsy they have been married for almost 20 years. They have two beautiful girls Noel and Eden. They have lived in Cabarrus County for the last 25 years off and on. He is a graduate of Central Cabarrus High School and Corey has two degrees from UNCC in Communications and Philosophy and his masters from Liberty Seminary.
Most people call Pastor Corey “PC” and you can too. He loves sports, to go camping & fishing. He has a love and hate relationship with the Carolina Panthers and thinks Cam Newton is the best quarterback to have ever played the game. He loves to laugh and make people feel seen and heard. He loves his life.
Pastor Corey also is the Executive Director of a Church Planting Network called Carolina Movement. He is a Carolina Panthers fanatic, loves camping, campfires, fishing, and almost anything outdoors.
Our Team

Corey Alley
Lead Pastor

Eric Lively
Discipleship Pastor

Calvin Miller
Worship and Youth Director

Brandy Sloop
Volunteer and Outreach Director

Jillian Goodhew
Kids Ministry Director

Jessica Gragg
Communications Director

Audrie Cash
Administrative Assistant

Landace Alligood
Worship Arts Assistant

Kyle Winecoff
Production Coordinator

Corey Alley
Lead Pastor
Pastor Corey loves people and has had a radical transformation since he used to be a product of addiction and the lifestyle that surrounds that. He has had deep hurt and pain in his life but still loves to tell people the great love and purpose that Jesus Christ offers. Pastor Corey is one of the most real and relatable individuals you will ever meet.
Pastor Corey is married to his greatest earthly love Betsy they have been married for almost 20 years. They have two beautiful girls Noel and Eden. They have lived in Cabarrus County for the last 25 years off and on. He is a graduate of Central Cabarrus High School and Corey has two degrees from UNCC in Communications and Philosophy and his masters from Liberty Seminary.
Most people call Pastor Corey “PC” and you can too. He loves sports, to go camping & fishing. He has a love and hate relationship with the Carolina Panthers and thinks Cam Newton is the best quarterback to have ever played the game. He loves to laugh and make people feel seen and heard. He loves his life.
Pastor Corey also is the Executive Director of a Church Planting Network called Carolina Movement. He is a Carolina Panthers fanatic, loves camping, campfires, fishing, and almost anything outdoors.

Eric Lively
Discipleship Pastor
I am a passionate preacher with 25 years of pastoral experience and a deep love for teaching God’s Word. I hold a Th.D. from Tulare MBS and have dedicated my life to ministry, discipleship, and helping others grow in their faith.
My greatest joy is my family—my wife, Maria, my sons, Logan and Cameron, and my future daughter-in-law, Beth. When I’m not preaching or teaching, you’ll likely find me on a cruise with my family, indulging in my favorite hobby (and maybe a little addiction!).
In 2020, I came to SOJO through the residency program for church planters, but God had other plans. Today, I am honored to serve as the Director of Adult Ministries and Discipleship, helping equip and empower others to grow in their faith. I love changing lives, changing the world—one person at a time.

Calvin Miller
Worship and Youth Director
I first joined SOJO back at its original launch in 2019, during the early days of setup and teardown. Invited by my best friend, I immediately felt a deep connection and a calling to be part of SOJO Church.
Today, I have the privilege of serving as both the Youth Director and Worship Director. Helping the next generation grow in their faith is one of the greatest honors of my life. Additionally, my passion for leading worship and witnessing God’s people surrender to Him always moves me deeply.
Over the years, SOJO has been instrumental in my spiritual growth. Now, as a full-time minister, I can see how God has placed me here to develop and equip me for my calling in pastoral ministry.
Email: Calvin@sojourner.church
Phone: 704-787-2283

Jillian Goodhew
Kids Ministry Director
About 15 years ago, I made the crazy decision to lead a room of 1st and 2nd grade boys every Sunday morning. I landed in that specific room because no one else wanted to teach that age. As the boys literally were climbing walls and we attempted to herd cats, the girls on the other side of the room were sitting nicely and quietly doing their lesson. It was challenging, but I loved every second of it because it was also so rewarding. The first time one of “my boys” got baptized, I cried like it was my own son. Fast forward, “my boys” are now all young men, and I’m a mom of two of my own boys (I definitely think God was preparing me for that). But I still love serving in kid ministry.
I do not have a background in ministry or even education, but instead come from an engineering and project management background. My first 8 years of my career after college and before leaving the workforce were spent building satellites. In 2017, we were part of a church plant that needed someone to lead kids ministry. I told the pastor that I had taught in kids ministry and had managed large teams before so suddenly found myself in charge of the area. That launch Sunday, we had about 500 people attend, including 70 kids. It was an incredible God moment that still gives me chills. For 3 years, I built the kids ministry, learning and growing rapidly as a church plant tends to do. In 2020, I had developed my successor to the point I was confident leaving the ministry in her hands as I stepped back into a project manager position at another Christian non profit.
When we relocated to NC in fall 2023, leaving our home church was the hardest part, but we were so happy to find a new church family almost instantly at SOJO. The community aspect of SOJO felt so much like our old church that it just felt right. I began leading SOJO Kids in October 2024. My passion is coming alongside parents to raise up this generation of believers and I am always so humbled that I get to be a part of “my kids’” stories.
Email: jillian@sojourner.church

Jessica Gragg
Communications Director
I’ve been a part of SOJO Church since 2019, starting out by exploring different areas of service before finding my place in kids ministry and production. I loved craft time with the kids and still enjoy serving in that ministry, but I also found a passion for production, where I run slides for worship through ProPresenter during Sunday services.
Now, as a part-time staff member, I have the privilege of leading SOJO’s amazing team of photographers, videographers, and social media creatives. Graphic design and small business are my passions, and I’m excited to use my skills to support the church’s vision and impact on the community.
What I love most about SOJO is its authenticity—our pastor, our congregation, and the deep sense of family that makes this church feel like home. SOJO has been a huge part of my life, as well as my husband’s and our two daughters. I love seeing others grow in their faith and purpose, and I’m grateful to be part of a church that is truly making a difference.
Email: jessica@sojourner.church
Phone: 980-208-0345

Audrie Cash
Administrative Assistant
I became a part of Sojo church when we moved back to the area in 2021 and had a lot of life changes! Sojo was right on time and provided the support and encouragement we needed! I could immediately plug into the kid’s ministry and serve with VBS! As I continued to serve, I was asked to help with youth ministry and fell in love working with youth! As I continued to fall in love with the youth, I fell in love connecting with the parents and other people in the church and ensuring they are loved! Through that passion I was hired to be an administrative assistant helping run schedules and assist in the church however I could.
Email: audrie@sojourner.church
Phone: 980-680-0958

Landace Alligood
Worship Arts Assistant
I first came to SOJO as a guest to lead worship for SOJO’s Christmas services in 2022. Even then, I could tell there was something different about this place! Fast forward to 2024. I was looking for a place to plug in while I was home from college for the summer when Pastor Corey reached out. From people who made it a point to talk to me even though they barely knew me, to the tastes of heaven during service every Sunday, I knew this is exactly where I wanted to be.
I am honored to serve as the Worship Arts Assistant for SOJO. My job encompasses a variety of behind the scenes duties that go into what you see on a given Sunday. By far, the best part of everything I do is seeing how the Lord uses it to glorify Himself and bring people closer to Him as we gather.
I grew up in a ministry family and have served in ministry positions at different churches over the last few years. With all that in mind, one thing I can say with certainty is that SOJO is a real church for real people. God is doing big things in this place!
Email: landace@sojourner.church
Phone: 302-584-2758

Kyle Winecoff
Production Coordinator
I first joined SOJO in November of 2024, Invited by Pastor Corey and my mother and stepdad, It immediately felt like home!
Today, I have the privilege of serving as Tech coordinator and drummer for the worship arts team. Helping cultivate an atmosphere of genuine worship is one of the largest driving forces in my life. I have been in worship ministry, in some capacity, for nearly 20yrs. Everything from playing instruments and singing to worship ministry and AV production leadership.
I have been friends with pastor Corey for many years. I am passionate in everything I do but especially creating an inviting atmosphere of worship.
Email: kylewinecoff@gmail.com
Phone: 704-506-2217
Our Beliefs
GOD
WE BELIEVE God is the Creator, Sovereign over creation. He eternally exists in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1, 26-27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)