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.
“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).
Email Hess
Steve Watkins / Executive Pastor
Steve Watkins is the Executive Pastor of Southern Hills Baptist Church, a pace-setting, growing church in the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Steve has served in ministry at Southern Hills for 17 years and the last 3 of those as Executive Pastor. Prior to joining the team at Southern Hills, Steve directed several districts in sales management for Gap Inc, an international retail apparel company. His 35 year management career has allowed him to bring a unique perspective and style to the team and ministry at Southern Hills. Steve loves the outdoors – especially hiking, camping, and fishing. He and his wife, Jamie live in Tulsa and have two amazing children; Sara (19), and Will (16).
Email Steve
Jesse Graver / Music/Worship Arts Pastor
In 2007, 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 just earned his Masters of Music with a Ministry Emphasis from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jesse and his wife Andrea have two young sons, Joseph and Benjamin, and one daughter, Ella.
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Steve Bullard / Pastor to Students
Steve joined our team in June, 2000. He came to us from the bustling metropolis of Allen, Oklahoma where he served as the Student Pastor at his home church. He hopes to one day be presented with the prestigious and elusive key to the city, or at least city hall. Steve and his wife Courtney were married in March 2003. They have a daughter, Francesca. Steve enjoys getting his students involved in serving their community and world, introducing them to his offbeat comedy, the San Diego Padres and Happy Hour... at Sonic. Steve graduated from Southwestern Seminary (MChristianEd) in 2000 and OBU in 1996.
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Patrick Jackson / Associate Pastor of Children
Patrick Jackson joined our staff in May, 2007. His responsibilities include the Elementary and Preschool Ministries on Sunday morning, Worship Care, and the overseeing of the Weekday Preschool, Confident Kids, and Childcare programs.
Patrick grew up in Tulsa and is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School. He earned his BA in Family Relations and Child Development at OSU and a Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky.
Patrick worked in camping and adventure ministries throughout college and seminary. Patrick enjoys photography, hiking, cooking, and eating what he cooked (most of the time).
Patrick and his wife Stephanie have been married since 2005, and have two beautiful dogs named Jack and Charlotte.
Email Patrick
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 has a passion to serve people who are struggling with any hurt, hang-up, or habit. Josh is now our Celebrate Recovery pastor and helps oversee the outreach of the church. In addition he serves as the Southeast Oklahoma State Rep. for CR. He enjoys preaching, teaching, serving, and being an encouragement to others.
Email Josh
Al Brown / Church Administrator
Al has been a member of SHBC for over 20 years. Prior to coming on staff as our Administrator he worked in oil field equipment manufacturing industry as a materials manager. Al and his wife Rebecca are both deacons here and can be found working in various areas...often centered around the lives of their daughters...Emily and Clara. Al oversees the church finances and facilities. An OSU grad, if he’s not at church, he’s probably at an OSU event.
Email Al
Norma Murphy / Celebrate Recovery Ministry Leader
Norma and her family have been at SHBC for 38 years. Norma and her husband, Steve launched the Celebrate Recovery Ministry at SHBC in 2002. She serves as the Ministry Leader for Celebrate Recovery at SHBC. Since 2004 Norma, and the team of volunteers in our church, has helped other churches start Celebrate Recovery ministries. In addition, Norma now serves as the Eastern Oklahoma State Rep for CR. You can read Norma's CR testimony on our Celebrate Recovery site, at http://www.shbctulsa.org/cr/norma.html
Email Norma
Emilio Castillo / Hispanic Ministry Pastor
Emilio and his family have been members of SHBC for ten years 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. He can be reached at 918.743.8897 x 116.
Kathy Hitchcock/Student Ministry Assistant
Kathy recently joined our staff to help out in a Student Ministry. Kathy and husband Ed also volunteer in this area as Sunday morning Community Life Group leaders for a youth class. 918.743.8897 x 106
Julie Ryker / Celebration Station Director
Julie has recently joined our staff as our Friday night children’s ministry director. She has been a member at SHBC since 1990 and stays very busy with husband, Breck, and their four great kids!
Email Julie
Tammy Vincent/ Weekday Preschool Director
Tammy and family have been members at SHBC for over ten years and she has served in several ministries of our church. She recently has begun serving as our Weekday Preschool Director. Tammy has a Bachelors Degree in Education from ORU and has previously served as a school Teacher in Tulsa and Jenks Public Schools and as our Interim Children's Ministry Director. She and her husband Rod have three children, Kaylee, Joshua and Jacob.
Email Tammy
Chuck Richardson / Men’s Ministry Lay Leader
Chuck and his family have been at SHBC for six years. In addition to serving as SHBC’s Men’s Ministry Lay Leader, Chuck also serves as a Deacon and Life Group Leader.
Email Chuck
Kathy Curry / Women’s Ministry Lay Leader
Kathy is an active member of Southern Hills Baptist Church. She has been married to Monty for 24 years and has three children, Krista, Kelsey and Matt, in three different colleges. Kathy earned her M.Ed. from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Educational Administration Curriculum and Supervision. She has experience as a Middle School Principal, Curriculum Director and Director of Women's Ministries. Kathy's desire is to see women grow in their relationships with each other and in intimacy with God.
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Charlie Pennington / Missions Lay Coordinator
Charlie and his wife, Katheryn, have been at SHBC since 1982. Charlie is the Chairman of our Missions Committee which oversees SHBC's international, national and local missions efforts.
Email Charlie
Tom McIntyre / Senior Adult Ministry Lay Leader
Tom and wife, Linda, joined SHBC over two years ago and jumped right in. In addition to them leading a Sunday morning Life Group for young married couples, Tom leads the Monday afternoon Bible Study for Seniors and helps plan the ministry’s regular monthly events.
Email Tom
Lisa Meacham / Senior Adult Special Event Planner
Lisa and her husband, Justin, have been members at SHBC over 8 years. Lisa does a great job at planning and implementing special Senior Adult outings, trip and celebrations. 918.743.8897
Jana Coley / Administrative Assistant
Jana and family, husband Brian and son Brent, have been at SHBC since 1992 and she joined our staff in 2003. Jana provides support for our Children’s Ministry and much more! She also serves in her favorite area each week, the baby room!
Email Jana
Jessica Gray / Administrative Assistant
Jessica joined our staff in 2006. She provides administraive support for Senior Pastor, William Hester and Executive Pastor, Steve Watkins.
Email Jessica
Angela Seefeldt / Administrative Assistant
Angela, a SHBC member for over 30 years, has served on the staff since 1989. She provides administrative support for the Worship Ministry, works on most publications and serves as Church Clerk. She loves to help make people’s wedding days go smooth and has served as SHBC’s Wedding Coordinator for over 10 years.
Email Angela
Billie Inbody / Church Hostess
Billie, an SHBC member for over 11 years, plans and cooks our delicious Wednesday night Fellowship meals and runs a ship shape kitchen. Billie and her husband, Darrell, also own and operates a wedding chapel with reception area housed in an historic church building in Wagoner, Oklahoma. 918.743.8897
Kevin Stilwell / Resident Custodian
Kevin joined our church staff in 2009 and is a great new member to our team! In addition to keeping our church home in shape, he serves in other ministries at SHBC.
Marisella Castillo / Custodian
Marisella has been a member at SHBC for ten years and in addition to keeping our facilities sparkling, she serves as a leader in our growing Hispanic ministry alongside her husband, Emilio.
