Our Leadership Team
Scott Martz - Site Director
Scott has served in both ministry and higher education for over 20 years. Scott graduated from Life Pacific College in (2003) and later from Azusa Pacific University (2009). Scott’s passion is the leadership development of people through real life application of practical principles and uses those as the basis for all he does.
He has been married to Linna since 1998 and has 3 children Zelun 16, Kami 15, and Jace 11. In his free time, he loves to hunt, fish, find a trail to hike, or take part in missions’ efforts in SE Asia (specifically Cambodia and Myanmar).
Ryan Lytton - Assistant Professor & Director of Academic Services
Ryan Lytton started his education at LIFE East Bible College and continued at Life Pacific University where he graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies. He completed a Master of Arts in Christian Thought from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary where he focused on how the Bible was interpreted in the Patristic Period (100-800 AD). He's currently pursuing a Ph.D. through Ridley College, continuing his study of Patristic Exegesis by looking at the reception of Proverbs 8:22-31 up to 381 CE.
He’s an unapologetic nerd who knows lots of useless things like how to sing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star in Latin. He has been married to Samantha (also a Life Pacific graduate, class of ‘08) since 2008. Their first child, Marshall, was born in 2014, and their second, Amelia, was born in 2016.
Justin Hart - Assistant Director of Recruitment
Justin Hart began his education at LPU Virginia and continued online through Life Pacific University where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Ministry and Leadership in 2018. He is a coffee lover, sports fanatic, and board game enthusiast. In his opinion, it is almost always a good time for coffee, sports, or a board game.
He and his wife Haylee love hosting friends and family in their home in Christiansburg. They have been married since December 2018.
Gretchen Abney - Director of Campus Life
Gretchen Abney has served in ministry for 25 years as a worship pastor, children’s pastor, youth pastor, and co-pastor. She graduated with a B.A. in Human Growth and Development and an M.A. in Strategic Leadership. Currently, Gretchen is pursuing a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Southeastern University. For 13 years, she taught elementary and middle school students. She additionally developed and led life-skills programs at a prominent, inner-city Atlanta ministry. Gretchen and her husband Trey, pastor EQUIP Foursquare Church.
Recently, Gretchen became the Campus Life Director at Life Pacific University in Christiansburg, Virginia. She serves the Foursquare Church as a member of the Atlantic District Council. Gretchen also serves as the creator and coordinator of Cultivate, a 7-month Women in Ministry Leadership development program. Gretchen believes in the sponsorship, development, and empowerment of leaders of every gender and generation. Gretchen and her husband Trey have three young adult children, Christian, Colin, and Caroline. Gretchen’s hobbies include hiking, traveling, painting, reading, and watching college football.