After being elected as Lead Pastor in early 2022, Merrill and his family relocated from the state of Georgia, where he served as the Georgia Network Superintendent for the Assemblies of God. Prior to that role, he pastored The Assembly at Warner Robins. His passion is to strengthen the local church in ways that bring renewal and revitalization. He is a graduate of George Fox Evangelical Seminary with a Doctor of Ministry degree in Semiotics, Church, & Culture​.