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
Children’s Pastor
Michelle 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.
Title
Michelle Norman
Children’s Pastor
Michelle 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.
Title
Nichole Wealleans
Preschool Ministry & Celebration Place Leader
Nichole has been a member at SHBC since 2008. She is passionate about teaching children and serves as our Preschool Ministry Coordinator. She looks forward to teaching Lil’ Church each and every week Nichole … also serves as the Celebration Place Ministry Leader and looks forward to partnering with the parents of Celebrate Recovery. Nichole enjoys dancing, playing the ukulele, cooking, and playing with her fluffy dog named Bella. She and her husband, Jason, enjoy spending time together with their son, Jeremiah.
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Lexi Droemer
Elementary Ministry Leader
Lexi was born and raised in Texas and moved to Oklahoma in 2012. She, her husband Lee, and her daughter Isabella joined Southern Hills Baptist Church in 2015. She serves our children from Kindergarten through … 5th grade as Elementary Ministry Leader on Sundays and Wednesdays. Lexi has a heart for serving children and feels blessed to be able to serve the church by sharing the love of Jesus each week in the children’s ministry. Prior to working at SHBC, Lexi worked in real estate finance, as a preschool teacher, and for The Pearl House. She enjoys gardening, reading, the outdoors, and most of all, spending time with her family.
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Kelsie Crawley
High School Ministry Leader
Kelsie Furgason Crawley, aka (KFC), graduated from Oklahoma State University in Tulsa with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Science. She has been at SHBC since August of 2012. She married SHBC … alumnus Jordan Crawley in 2015. Kelsie loves her adorable dog Deenie, and her wish is to hug every person in our church. Kelsie & Jordan recently added son, Nazareth, to their family.
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Ollie Treat
Middle School Ministry Leader
Ollie and his wife Erin joined the SHBC family in 2013, where they have both enjoyed serving in the Celebrate Recovery ministry and the Student ministry. Ollie obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from … Oklahoma State University and a Master’s of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He loves good food, good music, and serving in the local church.
Steve Watkins / Executive Pastor
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.
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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.)
Title
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.
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Kelsie Crawley
the Landing Program Director
Kelsie Furgason Crawley, aka (KFC), graduated from Oklahoma State University in Tulsa with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Science. She has been at SHBC since August of 2012. She married SHBC … alumnus Jordan Crawley in 2015. Kelsie loves her adorable dog Deenie, and her wish is to hug every person in our church. Kelsie & Jordan recently added son, Nazareth, to their family.
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Tammy Vincent
Director of Recovery Ministries
Tammy has been a member at SHBC since 1999. She has served in various ministries at SHBC. Tammy earned her Bachelor of Science from ORU. She is excited to be serving as the Director of Recovery Ministries at SHBC. … She loves leading worship for Celebrate Recovery on Friday nights and sharing God’s love and grace with those who are hurting and struggling. She and her husband, Rod, have 3 children, Kaylee, Joshua, and Jacob.
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Elsie Jo Perigo
Celebrate Recovery Administrative Assistant
Elsie Jo joined our staff in 2020. She has a big servant heart. She earned a BSW, MSW and certification in Biblical Counseling through Haven Ministries, which classifies her as a professional helper. Elsie Jo has a husband, … 4 adult children and 6 grandkids.
Title
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.
Austin Lilly / Worship Assistant
Austin Lilly
Worship Assistant
Austin grew up at Southern Hills Baptist Church and interned in the youth ministry when I graduated high school. I returned to staff in January of 2022 as worship assistant. I am currently finishing up a degree in ministry …and leadership at Oral Roberts
University. I love and am passionate about music and am blessed to lead others in worshipping our God through music which is where I feel called. I am blessed with an amazing family that have raised me to know and love the Lord. I am so thankful to be a part of a team that truly desires to know the Lord and see others come to know him.
University. I love and am passionate about music and am blessed to lead others in worshipping our God through music which is where I feel called. I am blessed with an amazing family that have raised me to know and love the Lord. I am so thankful to be a part of a team that truly desires to know the Lord and see others come to know him.
Title
Joel Swisher
Video & Recording Assistant
Joel has attended SHBC for just over a year, and serves on the tech team as a sound engineer. He studied music production at ORU from 2017-2021, and enjoyed singing in the choir just as much as recording the choir. He's an avid …music lover, and can often be found in an inconspicuous cave listening to his recent finds. Joel has attended SHBC for just over a year, and serves on the tech team as a sound engineer. He studied music production at ORU from 2017-2021, and enjoyed singing in the choir just as much as recording the choir. He's an avid music lover, and can often be found in an inconspicuous cave listening to his recent finds.
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Dave Heritage
Business Administrator
Dave first came to Southern Hills in the 1990’s as a high school student, at the invitation of his girlfriend Julie. He credits the youth program with stirring his desire to follow Jesus passionately. During their college years … at Oklahoma State University, Dave and Julie got involved with CRU (formerly Campus Crusade) where he learned to love Jesus personally. Dave married Julie at SHBC before finishing his Bachelor of Science in Finance. He pursued a career in IT and opened his own successful business, which he sold after 22 years. In 2018, God brought Dave and his family back to Southern Hills, where they both got active in Celebrate Recovery. He then joined our staff as Church Administrator in January of 2022. He and his wife Julie are currently leaders in Celebrate Recovery and have two adult boys, Chandler and Logan. Dave considers himself a serial hobbyist. His ventures have included golf, R/C airplanes, glassblowing, board games, knitting, and amateur radio (N5DJH).
Title
Angela Seefeldt
Administrative Assistant and Church Clerk
Angela, a SHBC member since 1973, has served on the staff since 1989. She provides administrative support for most of our Pastoral Staff, works on most publications and enjoys serving in the Worship Arts and Celebrate … Recovery ministries. She enjoys working to help church events and weddings run more smoothly. Angela loves spending time with her family; husband Dale, two married daughters and their spouses and her four wonderful grandchildren!
Title
Jamie Watkins
Administrative Assistant
Jamie has been a member serving in our church since joining in 1992. Jamie was on staff from 1995 to 2006 and left our staff when her husband Steve joined our staff as the Executive Pastor in 2006. She rejoined the staff in … January 2020 as one of our administrative assistants and helps all staff in any way they need. Jamie and Steve enjoy time with all of their family. Daughter, Sara and her husband, Brice of Tulsa, and son, Will and his wife Kelsey and their 2 grandchildren who live in Bixby.
Title
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 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.
Title
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.
Title
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.
Title
Michelle Norman
Children’s Pastor
Michelle 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.
Title
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.)
Title
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.
Title
Angela Seefeldt
Administrative Assistant and Church Clerk
Angela, a SHBC member since 1973, has served on the staff since 1989. She provides administrative support for most of our Pastoral Staff, works on most publications and enjoys serving in the Worship Arts and Celebrate … Recovery ministries. She enjoys working to help church events and weddings run more smoothly. Angela loves spending time with her family; husband Dale, two married daughters and their spouses and her four wonderful grandchildren!
Austin Lilly / Worship Assistant
Austin Lilly
Worship Assistant
Austin grew up at Southern Hills Baptist Church and interned in the youth ministry when I graduated high school. I returned to staff in January of 2022 as worship assistant. I am currently finishing up a degree in ministry …and leadership at Oral Roberts
University. I love and am passionate about music and am blessed to lead others in worshipping our God through music which is where I feel called. I am blessed with an amazing family that have raised me to know and love the Lord. I am so thankful to be a part of a team that truly desires to know the Lord and see others come to know him.
University. I love and am passionate about music and am blessed to lead others in worshipping our God through music which is where I feel called. I am blessed with an amazing family that have raised me to know and love the Lord. I am so thankful to be a part of a team that truly desires to know the Lord and see others come to know him.
Title
Dave Heritage
Business Administrator
Dave first came to Southern Hills in the 1990’s as a high school student, at the invitation of his girlfriend Julie. He credits the youth program with stirring his desire to follow Jesus passionately. During their college years … at Oklahoma State University, Dave and Julie got involved with CRU (formerly Campus Crusade) where he learned to love Jesus personally. Dave married Julie at SHBC before finishing his Bachelor of Science in Finance. He pursued a career in IT and opened his own successful business, which he sold after 22 years. In 2018, God brought Dave and his family back to Southern Hills, where they both got active in Celebrate Recovery. He then joined our staff as Church Administrator in January of 2022. He and his wife Julie are currently leaders in Celebrate Recovery and have two adult boys, Chandler and Logan. Dave considers himself a serial hobbyist. His ventures have included golf, R/C airplanes, glassblowing, board games, knitting, and amateur radio (N5DJH).
Title
Elsie Jo Perigo
Celebrate Recovery Administrative Assistant
Elsie Jo joined our staff in 2020. She has a big servant heart. She earned a BSW, MSW and certification in Biblical Counseling through Haven Ministries, which classifies her as a professional helper. Elsie Jo has a husband, … 4 adult children and 6 grandkids.
Title
Jamie Watkins
Administrative Assistant
Jamie has been a member serving in our church since joining in 1992. Jamie was on staff from 1995 to 2006 and left our staff when her husband Steve joined our staff as the Executive Pastor in 2006. She rejoined the staff in … January 2020 as one of our administrative assistants and helps all staff in any way they need. Jamie and Steve enjoy time with all of their family. Daughter, Sara and her husband, Brice of Tulsa, and son, Will and his wife Kelsey and their 2 grandchildren who live in Bixby.
Title
Joel Swisher
Video & Recording Assistant
Joel has attended SHBC for just over a year, and serves on the tech team as a sound engineer. He studied music production at ORU from 2017-2021, and enjoyed singing in the choir just as much as recording the choir. He's an avid …music lover, and can often be found in an inconspicuous cave listening to his recent finds. Joel has attended SHBC for just over a year, and serves on the tech team as a sound engineer. He studied music production at ORU from 2017-2021, and enjoyed singing in the choir just as much as recording the choir. He's an avid music lover, and can often be found in an inconspicuous cave listening to his recent finds.
Title
Kelsie Crawley
High School Ministry Leader
Kelsie Furgason Crawley, aka (KFC), graduated from Oklahoma State University in Tulsa with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Science. She has been at SHBC since August of 2012. She married SHBC … alumnus Jordan Crawley in 2015. Kelsie loves her adorable dog Deenie, and her wish is to hug every person in our church. Kelsie & Jordan recently added son, Nazareth, to their family.
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Lexi Droemer
Elementary Ministry Leader
Lexi was born and raised in Texas and moved to Oklahoma in 2012. She, her husband Lee, and her daughter Isabella joined Southern Hills Baptist Church in 2015. She serves our children from Kindergarten through … 5th grade as Elementary Ministry Leader on Sundays and Wednesdays. Lexi has a heart for serving children and feels blessed to be able to serve the church by sharing the love of Jesus each week in the children’s ministry. Prior to working at SHBC, Lexi worked in real estate finance, as a preschool teacher, and for The Pearl House. She enjoys gardening, reading, the outdoors, and most of all, spending time with her family.
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Nichole Wealleans
Preschool Ministry & Celebration Place Leader
Nichole has been a member at SHBC since 2008. She is passionate about teaching children and serves as our Preschool Ministry Coordinator. She looks forward to teaching Lil’ Church each and every week Nichole … also serves as the Celebration Place Ministry Leader and looks forward to partnering with the parents of Celebrate Recovery. Nichole enjoys dancing, playing the ukulele, cooking, and playing with her fluffy dog named Bella. She and her husband, Jason, enjoy spending time together with their son, Jeremiah.
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Ollie Treat
Middle School Ministry Leader
Ollie and his wife Erin joined the SHBC family in 2013, where they have both enjoyed serving in the Celebrate Recovery ministry and the Student ministry. Ollie obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from … Oklahoma State University and a Master’s of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He loves good food, good music, and serving in the local church.
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Tammy Vincent
Director of Recovery Ministries
Tammy has been a member at SHBC since 1999. She has served in various ministries at SHBC. Tammy earned her Bachelor of Science from ORU. She is excited to be serving as the Director of Recovery Ministries at SHBC. … She loves leading worship for Celebrate Recovery on Friday nights and sharing God’s love and grace with those who are hurting and struggling. She and her husband, Rod, have 3 children, Kaylee, Joshua, and Jacob.