Leadership
The Salem Creek family is served by several men who have accepted the responsibility of leading the congregation to our heavenly home.
Elders
The New Testament teaches that the church is to be led by a plurality of qualified men. The Bible instructs the elders to oversee the church and care for its members’ souls. While these elders are accountable for the overall spiritual health of the church, they are also to always remember that Jesus Christ is the head of the church. As such, the elders are to seek His direction in overseeing, guiding, and caring for the church family. The apostle Paul admonished the elders in Acts 20:28 to, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” It is this great command that the elders of the Salem Creek church of Christ commit themselves.
Our elders are: B. K. Ham, Jim Hatfield, Jon Holland, Andy Mitchell, Randall Phifer, and Keith Short. If there are any ways in which they can help you in your spiritual journey, please contact the church office with your information, or email us at: elders@salemcreek.org.
Deacons
The word which is translated “deacon” is from an original word which means “servant.” It is defined as "one who executes the commands of another… a servant, attendant, or minister." (Thayer's Greek Lexicon) Salem Creek is blessed to have several men serve in this capacity. From ensuring transportation is available to those unable to drive to taking the communion to shut-ins to organizing men to serve in the worship services to… the list goes on and on! Good men who have committed themselves to serving God in this role. Our deacons include: Carl Adkins, Larry Benson, Craig Buckner, Greg DeMario, Andy Melton, Brian Melton, Alan Pepper, Rob Skelton, and Wendell Wilson.
Ministers
The Salem Creek family is also greatly blessed to have four men serving to help our families grow closer to God through teaching and preaching the Good News.
Jake Wilbanks serves as our youth minister, helping our youngest members and their families at Salem Creek get to know and grow closer through their faith. Brought up in the church in the small town of Collinwood, TN, Jake graduated from Freed-Hardeman University in 2014 with a degree in communications as well as family ministry. He's blessed by the amazing example of a wonderful father and mother, one sibling (a younger sister), as well as his wife, Mallory, he married in 2017. Jake works locally with a non-profit Christian organization, "Special Kids", while Mallory serves as an art teacher at Middle Tennessee Christian School. The two live locally with their dog, Dolly, and a love for travel, sports, and leading through a love for God.
Larry Benson serves as our coordinator of the Senior Saints Ministry. He is married to Nancy Benson and has two grown children. He has a Bachelor’s Degree from MTSU and a Master’s Degree from Hood College (Fredrick, MD). Larry grew up attending Minerva Drive and after military service in the U.S. Army returned to Minerva Drive. In addition to working with our seniors, Larry continues to serve as a deacon.
Ron Harper, a native of Birmingham Alabama, serves as one of our longest-standing ministers at Salem Creek. He is married to Janie and they have two children, Marie Patterson and David Harper. They have been blessed with seven grandchildren. Prior to moving to Murfreesboro, the Harpers did mission work in New Plymouth, New Zealand. They have also worked with churches in Carbon Hill and Jasper, Alabama. Ron has earned degrees from Freed-Hardeman University (B.A. in Bible) and Lipscomb University (M.A. in biblical studies).
Joshua Houston has ministered at Salem Creek since 2015. He graduated from Freed-Hardeman University in 2015 with a BA in Bible and a minor in Greek New Testament. In 2018, he graduated from Freed-Hardeman University with a MA in New Testament, and is currently working toward his doctoral degree with Faulkner University. Joshua's wife, Kayla, serves as a Registered Nurse for Ascension Healthcare. Both Joshua and Kayla love working with the Salem Creek family.
The Salem Creek family is served by several men who have accepted the responsibility of leading the congregation to our heavenly home.
Elders
The New Testament teaches that the church is to be led by a plurality of qualified men. The Bible instructs the elders to oversee the church and care for its members’ souls. While these elders are accountable for the overall spiritual health of the church, they are also to always remember that Jesus Christ is the head of the church. As such, the elders are to seek His direction in overseeing, guiding, and caring for the church family. The apostle Paul admonished the elders in Acts 20:28 to, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” It is this great command that the elders of the Salem Creek church of Christ commit themselves.
Our elders are: B. K. Ham, Jim Hatfield, Jon Holland, Andy Mitchell, Randall Phifer, and Keith Short. If there are any ways in which they can help you in your spiritual journey, please contact the church office with your information, or email us at: elders@salemcreek.org.
Deacons
The word which is translated “deacon” is from an original word which means “servant.” It is defined as "one who executes the commands of another… a servant, attendant, or minister." (Thayer's Greek Lexicon) Salem Creek is blessed to have several men serve in this capacity. From ensuring transportation is available to those unable to drive to taking the communion to shut-ins to organizing men to serve in the worship services to… the list goes on and on! Good men who have committed themselves to serving God in this role. Our deacons include: Carl Adkins, Larry Benson, Craig Buckner, Greg DeMario, Andy Melton, Brian Melton, Alan Pepper, Rob Skelton, and Wendell Wilson.
Ministers
The Salem Creek family is also greatly blessed to have four men serving to help our families grow closer to God through teaching and preaching the Good News.
Jake Wilbanks serves as our youth minister, helping our youngest members and their families at Salem Creek get to know and grow closer through their faith. Brought up in the church in the small town of Collinwood, TN, Jake graduated from Freed-Hardeman University in 2014 with a degree in communications as well as family ministry. He's blessed by the amazing example of a wonderful father and mother, one sibling (a younger sister), as well as his wife, Mallory, he married in 2017. Jake works locally with a non-profit Christian organization, "Special Kids", while Mallory serves as an art teacher at Middle Tennessee Christian School. The two live locally with their dog, Dolly, and a love for travel, sports, and leading through a love for God.
Larry Benson serves as our coordinator of the Senior Saints Ministry. He is married to Nancy Benson and has two grown children. He has a Bachelor’s Degree from MTSU and a Master’s Degree from Hood College (Fredrick, MD). Larry grew up attending Minerva Drive and after military service in the U.S. Army returned to Minerva Drive. In addition to working with our seniors, Larry continues to serve as a deacon.
Ron Harper, a native of Birmingham Alabama, serves as one of our longest-standing ministers at Salem Creek. He is married to Janie and they have two children, Marie Patterson and David Harper. They have been blessed with seven grandchildren. Prior to moving to Murfreesboro, the Harpers did mission work in New Plymouth, New Zealand. They have also worked with churches in Carbon Hill and Jasper, Alabama. Ron has earned degrees from Freed-Hardeman University (B.A. in Bible) and Lipscomb University (M.A. in biblical studies).
Joshua Houston has ministered at Salem Creek since 2015. He graduated from Freed-Hardeman University in 2015 with a BA in Bible and a minor in Greek New Testament. In 2018, he graduated from Freed-Hardeman University with a MA in New Testament, and is currently working toward his doctoral degree with Faulkner University. Joshua's wife, Kayla, serves as a Registered Nurse for Ascension Healthcare. Both Joshua and Kayla love working with the Salem Creek family.