Staff
Dr. William L. Hester, Jr. “Hess”
Senior Pastor
Hess came to SHBC in 1997, having previously served churches in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas. He says, “My claim to fame is my family- miraculously, they let me tag along!” Hess’ wife, Julie, is a public high school vocal … music teacher and actively involved in various ministries of SHBC. Their three daughters are Katy, Becca, and Rachel, and now they all have God-loving husbands. We also have, 3 beautiful grandchildren! “It’s an enormous blessing to be part of what I believe is the best Church Staff Team on either side of the Mississippi! The goal we share is to be a church that is internally strong but externally focused as we not only experience and teach the truth of Christ, but we SHOW Him by serving and loving our city.” Hess enjoys friends, golf, music, and good reads. He has degrees from Midwestern (D.Min.) and Southwestern (M.Div.) Seminaries and S.M.U. (BA).
Steve Watkins
Executive Pastor
Steve and his wife Jamie have been serving in ministry together since they became members of Southern Hills Baptist Church in 1992. He joined the staff as the Executive Pastor in 2006. Prior to joining the team at SHBC, Steve … led several districts in sales management for The Gap Inc., an international apparel company. His leadership and management career allow him to bring a unique perspective and skillset to the team and ministry of Southern Hills. Steve aspires to be a bridge-builder, to help people get from where they are to where they want to be. He loves his family, coaching & investing in others, teaching, and the outdoors; especially fishing, camping, and hiking. Steve and Jamie have been blessed with a daughter and a son. Their daughter, Sara and her husband Brice live in Tulsa. Will, his wife Kelsey and their son Jude live in Bixby.
Josh Lawrence
Pastor of Celebrate Recovery
Josh Lawrence joined the SHBC staff team in September 2007. Josh, and his wife, Leslie have been members of Southern Hills Baptist Church since 1999. They have two sons – Jake and Cade. Josh graduated from … Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master’s of Divinity in May, 2009, and was ordained to the Gospel ministry in January 2010. He has been involved with Celebrate Recovery at Southern Hills since its inception in January, 2002, and is now our Celebrate Recovery pastor. Josh enjoys preaching/teaching, and has a passion to serve people who are struggling with any hurt, hang-up, or habit.
Jesse Graver
Music, Worship Arts Pastor
In 2006, Jesse joined our staff from First Baptist Hurst, Texas, where he served for 4 years while attending Seminary. He is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and has earned his Masters of Music with a Ministry … Emphasis from Southwestern
Baptist Theological Seminary. Jesse and his wife Andrea have two sons, Joseph and Benjamin and one daughter, Ella. Jesse is a husband, father. song writer, worship leader, and recording artist with credits including the movie Home Run. He enjoys fishing, tubing, movies and traveling with his family.
Baptist Theological Seminary. Jesse and his wife Andrea have two sons, Joseph and Benjamin and one daughter, Ella. Jesse is a husband, father. song writer, worship leader, and recording artist with credits including the movie Home Run. He enjoys fishing, tubing, movies and traveling with his family.
Michelle Norman
Pastor to Families w/Children
Michelle serves as our Interim Pastor to Families with
children birth - High School graduation. She joined the staff at SHBC in 2014. Her enthusiasm for working with children and their families originates from her …background as a school teacher. After graduating from Oklahoma Baptist
University, she taught elementary school for nine years and has pastored children for thirteen years at a local church. With this background in teaching and her calling into ministry, this allows Michelle to combine her two greatest loves; “teaching & leading children to Christ.” She and her husband, Rodney, have one daughter, Alexis.
children birth - High School graduation. She joined the staff at SHBC in 2014. Her enthusiasm for working with children and their families originates from her …background as a school teacher. After graduating from Oklahoma Baptist
University, she taught elementary school for nine years and has pastored children for thirteen years at a local church. With this background in teaching and her calling into ministry, this allows Michelle to combine her two greatest loves; “teaching & leading children to Christ.” She and her husband, Rodney, have one daughter, Alexis.
Dr. Milton C. “Milt” Olsen
Senior Adults Pastor
Milt joined our staff in January of 2016. Milt has been a member at SHBC for over 40 years, serving as a Life Group teacher, deacon, choir member, and tuba player in the Praise Orchestra. Prior to his retirement in 2008 … he was on the faculty of the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine-Tulsa for 18 years, and prior to that on the faculty at Oral Roberts University for 16 years. He and his wife, Phyllis, have been married since 2010 following the deaths of their spouses. Their blended family includes five children, 15 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Milt is a certified bereavement facilitator. He has degrees from the University of North Dakota (Ph.D., M.A.), from Bethel Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Bethel University (B.A.)
Emilio Castillo
Hispanic Ministry Pastor
Emilio and his family have been members of SHBC since the year 2000 and you can find him leading the weekly Hispanic Worship Service on Sunday afternoons. He also serves at the church throughout the week … as SHBC’s Building Manager.