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

Dan Conklin
Campus Pastor

Brandy Sloop
Executive Director

Jillian Goodhew
Kids Ministry Director

Audrie Cash
Ministry Assistant

Landace Alligood
Creative Arts Director

Wendy Martin
Assimilation Director

Calvin Miller
Next Gen Director

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.

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

Brandy Sloop
Executive Director

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

Audrie Cash
Ministry 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
Creative Arts Director
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 Creative Arts Director at SOJO. My role encompasses both worship and communications, weaving together the details that shape what happens on Sundays and extend far beyond. From the songs we sing to the stories we share, my heart is to help create spaces where people encounter the presence of God. The best part of what I do is watching how the Lord takes every detail and uses it to glorify Himself and draw people closer to Him.
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

Wendy Martin
Assimilation Director
I’m honored to serve as Assimilation Director here at SOJO. I joined SOJO in February 2024 after leaving our previous church in search of a more personal experience. Though hesitant at first, the moment I visited, I was met with smiles, love, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. The overwhelming love in this place was truly remarkable.
My first Sunday was a baptism Sunday—my favorite! Life transformation, healing, new life, and hope are all experienced in those sacred waters. Within two weeks, I joined the baptism team and dove into learning everything I could about SOJO. I now lead both the baptism and treat teams, which has been a true gift from God.
Each week I’m grateful to see familiar faces and meet new ones. As Assimilation Director, I get to welcome you, help you feel at home, and cultivate a culture where you’re inspired to invite family, friends, and even strangers to experience Jesus here.
I’m blessed with my husband Chris, two sons, six grandchildren, and our husky Mira Jo. I absolutely love this place and encourage you to “Try-5”—though you may experience God’s presence long before your fifth visit!

Dan Conklin
Campus Pastor
Today, I serve as the Campus Pastor, working alongside Pastor Corey, our Lead Pastor, to help carry out the vision and values of SOJO. In this role, I love equipping people to live as disciples of Jesus and creating spaces where authenticity, worship, and mission flourish.
I grew up in a pastor’s family and have served in a variety of ministry roles over the years, which has shaped my heart for discipleship and community. I love the people of SOJO and the friendly, welcoming environment we share. I am passionate about how our church is reaching lost people for Jesus and making a difference in our community.
SOJO is more than just a church to me—it’s a movement of real people encountering a real God. I am grateful to be a part of what God is doing here and excited for the future of the Concord campus and beyond.
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)
				
