Ministerial Staff
Joel Wood
What is your position at SSBC and how long have you served at the church? I have been Interim pastor since April 2010.
What is your favorite part of working at SSBC/for what about SSBC are you most thankful? Powerful worship and staff unity.
When did you become a Christian, and who led you to the Lord (what is your testimony)? I became a Christian when I was 7 years old. My Mom and Dad led me to the Lord.
How long ha
ve you been married? Tell us about your family. I have been married to Diane for 39 years. We have 4 children: Rachel (35), Andy (34), Rhonda (30), and Brady (21).
What is your favorite sport, hobby, or book? My favorite sport is football.
Who is the most influential person in your life? Why? Mom and Dad, because of their unconditional love and spiritual direction.
Balcony or main floor? Main floor
If you could own any vehicle in the world and money was no object, what would it be? 1969 Dodge Challenger
If you were wealthy, what charity or organization would you most likely financially support ? Lighthouse Christian Camp
What influential book(s) have you read lately that you would recommend? Great Commission Obedience by Dr. Jerry Rankin
Who or What is your favorite Biblical account or personality and why? Joseph; he models Romans 8:28 in his life story.
What verse of Scripture brings you the most hope/inspiration/challenge? Ephesians 3:20, 21
Lee Bailey
What is your position at SSBC and how long have you served at the church? I have been the Minister of Administration Since May 2009.
What is your favorite part of working at SSBC/for what about SSBC are you most thankful? No question about it ... the people!
When did you become a Christian, and who led you to the Lord (what is your testimony)? My dad led me to the Lord when I was in 2nd grade. I had been talking to my dad about how doing bad things (sin) bothered me, and I felt really bad when I would. Dad shared with me the simple plan of salvation and we knelt at my bed that night and I committed my life to Christ.
Howlong have you been married? Tell us about your family. I have been married to JoAnne for 17 years. We have four children: Max – age 11, Levi – age 8, Emma – age 6, and Audrey – age 4.
What pets do you have now, or what is the most unusual pet you have ever had? I owned a tarantula all through high school. His name was Symone.
What is your favorite sport, hobby, or book? Football is my favorite sport to watch, and triathlon is my favorite sport to participate in. I also LOVE the summer Olympics.
What was your favorite song in high school? What year was that? Shadows of Night by Pat Benetar - 1982
Who is the most influential person in your life? Why? Both my parents and my grandparents; I grew up in a totally Christian family, and I am forever grateful!
Balcony or main floor? Main floor!
If you could own any vehicle in the world and money was no object, what would it be? Military grade HumVee
If you were wealthy, what charity or organization would you most likely financially support? Answers in Genesis and Children’s Hospital of Knoxville
What influential book(s) have you read lately that you would recommend? Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris
Who or What is your favorite Biblical account or personality and why? Nehemiah – great study of leadership
What verse of Scripture brings you the most hope/inspiration/challenge? Genesis 2:24 – I am always challenged to live with my wife as two becoming one (in Christ).
Dave Kruse
What is your position at SSBC and how long have you served at the church? I am the Student minister. I started in November 2004.
What is your favorite part of working at SSBC/for what about SSBC are you most thankful? Time with students, families, and leaders
When did you become a Christian, and who led you to the Lord (what is your testimony)? I became a Christian when I was 16 years old. Chris Jones, a friend from school led me to the Lord.
How long have you been married, what is your spouse’s name? I have been married to Melissa for 6 years.
What is the most unusual pet you have ever had? A 300 lb hog.
What is your favorite sport, hobby, or book? My favorite sport is basketball, my favorite hobby is music, and my favorite book is “Barbarian Way” by Erwin McManus.
What was your favorite song in high school? Master of Puppets by Metallica
Who is the most influential person in your life? Why? Parents; duh, they’re my parents.
Balcony or main floor? Mosh pit; or, if we’re talking church, podcast.
If you could own any vehicle in the world and money was no object, what would it be? Forget vehicles; give me a teleportation device.
If you were wealthy, what charity or organization would you most likely financially support? TWOLA, Compassion, blood:water mission
What influential book(s) have you read lately that you would recommend? “Radical” by David Platt; “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan
What verse of Scripture brings you the most hope/inspiration/challenge? Hebrews 10:35
Janna Shope
What is your position at SSBC and how long have you served at the church? I am the Interim Children’s Minister and have worked at SSBC since October 2007
What is your favorite part of working at SSBC/for what about SSBC are you most thankful? The people I work with; I’m thankful for the people within the church – their thoughtfulness, smiles, and genuineness.
When did you become a Christian, and who led you to the Lord (what is your testimony)? I was saved as a 4th grader. I had wonderful godly parents that raised me in the church, so I don’t remember it being any one person who led me to the Lord. It was the lives of all those around me.
How long have you been married? Tell us about your family. I have been married for 14 years to a wonderful man named Greg. We have a daughter, Cassie, who is in the 3rd grade at Capshaw.
What was your favorite song in high school? “Blame It On the Rain” by Milli Vanilli
Who is the most influential person in your life? Why? My husband; he is my source of support and strength and a very Godly man.
If you could own any vehicle in the world and money was no object, what would it be? Flying airplane car
If you were wealthy, what charity or organization would you most likely financially support? Alzheimer’s Association
What influential book(s) have you read lately that you would recommend? Book of Psalms
Who or What is your favorite Biblical account or personality and why? Esther, because of her strength and faith; she was there for “just such a time as this”.
What verse of Scripture brings you the most hope/inspiration/challenge? Romans 8:38-39
Robert Ward
What is your position at SSBC and how long have you served at the church? I have been the Minister of Music since November 1994.
What is your favorite part of working at SSBC/for what about SSBC are you most thankful? Planning/preparing music, leading on Sundays; I am most thankful for the body of Christ.
When did you become a Christian, and who led you to the Lord (what is your testimony)? I became a Christian when I was 11 years old. My parents led me to the Lord.
What pets do you have? I have 2 dogs (Lucy and Bracken) and 1 cat (I can’t share his name).
What is your favorite sport, hobby, or book? My favorite sport is baseball. My favorite book is “Let the Nations Be Glad” by John Piper
What was your favorite song in high school? “Hold Onto the Night” by Richard Marx
Who is the most influential person in your life? Why? My parents; they taught me the gospel.
If you could own any vehicle in the world and money was no object, what would it be? The Delorean from “Back to the Future” or the squad car of the Mayberry Sheriff’s Department
If you were wealthy, what charity or organization would you most likely financially support? Partners in Missions International, Save Darfur
What influential book(s) have you read lately that you would recommend? “Let the Nations be Glad” by John Piper, “The Cross of Christ” by John Stott, “Good to Great” by Jim Collins
Who or What is your favorite Biblical account or personality and why? Numbers 22:21-35
What verse of Scripture brings you the most hope/inspiration/challenge? Romans 1:16-17
Rick Lowhorn
What is your position at SSBC and how long have you served at the church? I have been the Minister of Outreach and Christian Development since September 2003.
What is your favorite part of working at SSBC/for what about SSBC are you most thankful? My favorite part is the opportunity to serve God with some great people. I am thankful that the focus of this church has been the Gospel from the beginning.
When did you become a Christian, and who led you to the Lord (what is your testimony)? I w
as saved when I was 26 years old, and I was led to the Lord through the door to door outreach of White Oak Baptist Church.
How long have you been married? Tell us about your family. I have been married to Amy for 36 years. We have two children: Heather (32) and Daniel (31).
What was your favorite song in high school? “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” in 1970.
Who is the most influential person in your life? Why? My wife; she is my closest friend.
If you could own any vehicle in the world and money was no object, what would it be? 1957 Chevy
If you were wealthy, what charity or organization would you most likely financially support? PIMI
What influential book(s) have you read lately that you would recommend? “The Trellis and the Vine” by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne
Who or What is your favorite Biblical account or personality and why? John Mark, the cousin of Barnabus, because of his demonstrated growth under discipleship.
What verse of Scripture brings you the most hope/inspiration/challenge? Gal. 2:20