Blaine Tucker
Lead Minister
Blaine grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, attended Harding University where he received a degree in Youth and Family Ministry and has a Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. He spent time in Italy teaching people about Jesus. While there, he met and married his beautiful wife Kate.
Blaine and Kate have three kids- Hudson, Gabriella, and Sophia. He enjoys watching a good movie, woodworking, and hoping the Arizona Cardinals will someday make it back to the Super Bowl.
Blaine and Kate have three kids- Hudson, Gabriella, and Sophia. He enjoys watching a good movie, woodworking, and hoping the Arizona Cardinals will someday make it back to the Super Bowl.
Kin Ellis
Involvement Minister
Kin Ellis joined our staff in 2009, after 32 years of working in Student Ministry. He graduated from Harding College with a degree in Biblical Languages in 1979, then received a Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling from Troy State University.
Kin and his wife Donna have been married over 40 years and have four married children, Jay, Joy, Jessie & Jordan.
Kin enjoys playing the piano, sports and being with their sixteen grandchildren.
Kin and his wife Donna have been married over 40 years and have four married children, Jay, Joy, Jessie & Jordan.
Kin enjoys playing the piano, sports and being with their sixteen grandchildren.
Donna Ellis
Children's Minister
Donna joined our staff in 2012. She attending Harding College as a Bible major (1977-79), she then finished undergraduate work at the University of Alabama in Family Studies. Donna and her husband, Kin served Student Ministries across the Southeast for 32 years. She enjoys being outdoors - walking, riding bikes and the beach. She also loves to read and sometimes cooks for a crowd.
Donna specializes in organizing volunteers who teach and care for South's children. Her faith is strengthened every week as she watches volunteers serve in loving, self-less ways.
Donna specializes in organizing volunteers who teach and care for South's children. Her faith is strengthened every week as she watches volunteers serve in loving, self-less ways.
Becky Hendrix
Children's Minister
Becky joined our staff in 2012, and has attended South for 30+ years, beginning at LSU. She has her B.S. in English and is certified to teach elementary school. Becky and her husband, Lance have been married since 1994. They have two children, a son Peyton, and a daughter, Marylee.
Besides teaching, she loves to read and enjoys opening her home to people of all ages.
Becky specializes in developing our South Kids curriculum. She finds working with children incredibly rewarding and feels she is often taught as much as she teaches.
Besides teaching, she loves to read and enjoys opening her home to people of all ages.
Becky specializes in developing our South Kids curriculum. She finds working with children incredibly rewarding and feels she is often taught as much as she teaches.
Nathan Lavalley
Youth Minister
Nathan joined our staff in 2022. He graduated with a degree in Ministry from Oklahoma Christian. Nathan and his wife, Bri have two awesome children, Marky and Anna.
Nathan has a passion for working with the younger generation of the church.
Nathan has a passion for working with the younger generation of the church.
Steven Wang
Chinese Minister
Steven joined us in 2023. He grew up as native Chinese and immigrated to the US in 1993. He was practicing in the medical field before being called into ministry. He holds a Master of Divinity from Bob Jones University and a Master degree of Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute. For 20 years, Steven has served in ministry, and he's passionate about seeing people saved and sanctified through the Word.
Steven and his wife, Annie have been married over 20 years and have two boys, Joshua and Caleb. In his free time, Steven enjoys country music, table-tennis, and fishing.
Steven and his wife, Annie have been married over 20 years and have two boys, Joshua and Caleb. In his free time, Steven enjoys country music, table-tennis, and fishing.
Jenna and Ben Stewart
Campus Ministry
Jenna and Ben joined our staff in 2022. They come to us after working with campus ministries in Tempe, Arizona and Austin, Texas. We're blessed to have them working with our college students and young adults! Jenna (lead minister) loves to garden, read, and listen to a good podcast. Ben loves playing the banjo, a good cup of coffee, and deep theological discussions.
