Spreading God's Word
SINCE1988
Our pastor planted Voyage Church on the first Sunday of September 1988, with 7 people in attendance for that first service. He dreamed of building a church with a simple goal; reaching those far from Christ. With the help of people committed to seeing that dream fulfilled, the church has experienced significant growth.
Our Leadership Team
The staff and leadership here at Ninth Avenue is comprised of men and women who love, care and pray for every single person in the church. If you have any questions for any of our staff, feel free to reach out and email them or call our church office to speak with them. You can contact the church office at info@ninthavenuechurch.com
Matthew Balentine - Minister
Matthew has been serving as minister at Ninth Avenue since 2019. He is married to his wife, Blair, and together they are blessed with four children - Collins, Vance, Britton, and London. Matthew and Blair have a deep love for the church family at Ninth Avenue and are grateful to call both the congregation and the Haleyville community their home.
Matthew approaches ministry with a heart for people, a passion for preaching, and a desire to help others walk confidently with Christ. He and Blair are dedicated to building strong relationships, encouraging spiritual growth, and supporting families in every stage of life. They feel honored to serve at Ninth Avenue and look forward to the many ways God will continue to work through this church family.
Josh Wade - Youth Minister
Josh came to Ninth Avenue in September 2024, originally joining the staff as the youth intern. In January 2025, he transitioned into the role of full-time Youth Minister. Josh has a genuine love for working with young people, and he brings energy, creativity, and a heart for ministry to everything he does. He enjoys teaching, mentoring, and—when the moment calls for it—being a kid right alongside the youth.
Josh is a devoted family man. Though his family lives in Henderson, Tennessee, they continue to be a major part of his life and support his ministry. Before coming to Haleyville, Josh played a big role in the Henderson Church of Christ youth group, volunteering in every way he could and helping shape the lives of countless students.
Outside of ministry, Josh enjoys disc golf, pickleball, cornhole, and ultimate frisbee. He loves using activities like these to build relationships and create meaningful connections with the teens he serves.
Adriana Haley- Secretary
Kyul and her husband Benjamin moved to Boise in 2002 from New York. They've since been blessed with their wonderful children Reggie and David. Kyul has been a pianist since she was 8-years old, eventually moving to Manhattan where she attended Juilliard and earned her doctorate.
Our Mission
At Ninth Avenue, we believe in being a church firmly rooted in Scripture. God’s Word is our foundation, our guide, and the standard for everything we teach, practice, and pursue. We want to be a church that not only studies the Bible, but lives it out daily with purpose and conviction.
We are a congregation that genuinely cares for our community. Whether through acts of service, outreach, encouragement, or simply walking beside people in their everyday struggles, we want Haleyville and the surrounding area to feel the love of Christ through us. Our desire is to be a church that notices needs, steps into difficult moments, and brings hope wherever we go.
Our mission is the same mission Jesus gave His followers: to go, to build, and to make disciples. We believe discipleship happens through authentic relationships, intentional teaching, and a willingness to invest in others. At Ninth Avenue, we want to be believers who love like Jesus, serve like Jesus, and lead others to walk with Jesus.
We are a family striving to grow in faith, strengthen one another, and share the gospel with the world—one conversation, one act of kindness, and one soul at a time.
