Joel Strahan

Senior Pastor

Originally from Jackson, Mississippi, Pastor Joel Strahan has been serving at Slayden Baptist Church since October 2017. The Strahans served in Moscow, Russia, with the IMB for three years before returning home to Slayden. Joel serves on the board of Chronological Bible Teaching Ministries and serves as a training specialist for this ministry, training believers how to start new discipleship groups and pursue Bible literacy personally and communally.

Joel has a Cross-Cultural Communications masters degree from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Joel's undergraduate work was in the field of Organizational Leadership at Union University.

Joel and his wife, Heather, have been married for 21 years and have 3 daughters, Ryan, Eliana, and Josie.

Joel's favorite Bible verse is 2 Chronicles 16:9.

Alan Sumner

Worship Pastor

Email | alansumner422@gmail.com

Alan has his roots in Mississippi and comes to Slayden from Memphis, TN. He served churches in the mid-south area for over 37 years with his wife, Carol. Their children, Lisa and her husband, Alex, Robert and his wife Martha have given them three grandchildren: Ada, Beckham, and Samuel. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Sacred Music from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. He enjoys playing guitar and trumpet. Alan also enjoys hunting, fishing, golf, and water skiing. His passion is serving the church in worship and Bible teaching.

Alan’s favorite Bible verse is 2 Corinthians 4:5.

Steven May

Youth Pastor

Email | stevenjmay@icloud.com

Steven was born in Memphis, but recently returned to the area after 8 1/2 years away at seminary and then to Chesnee First Baptist Church as the Youth Pastor. Steven received a Bachelors of Arts in History from the University of Memphis and a Master’s of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Anna, have been married 9 years and have 3 children: Owen, Evie, and Daniel.

Steven is passionate about students and parents learning to read and believe God’s Word. He also enjoys reading books on history and fiction and playing video games occasionally.

Steven’s favorite Bible verse is Psalm 119:68.

Jonathan Eastburn

Children’s Ministry Director

Email | jeastburn@slaydenbaptist.com

Jonathan Eastburn grew up in the Memphis TN area under the influential teaching of Dr. Adrian Rogers. He served in Bellevue, First Evan. and Grace Evan.'s children's departments in various capacities and has worked with children for many years. Jonathan is excited to serve Slayden Baptist Church as their first Children's Minister. He and his wife, Elisa, have 6 children and continually embrace the fun, active, unpredictable nature of parenthood, while looking to the Lord as the ultimate guide on how to shepherd and disciple others.

Jonathan is passionate about godly parenting and all that comes with faith and family dynamics. He is a bit of a pyromaniac with his firework shows, enjoys gardening, photography, and occasional storm chasing.

More info. coming soon…

Jeff Thomas

Church Planting Catalyst

Email | jkthomas64@hotmail.com

Jeff was born and raised in Memphis and has also lived in Texas where he met his wonderful wife, Karen, at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. They married in 1989 and both graduated with a master’s degree, Karen in Religious Education and Jeff in Divinity. After graduating, they moved to Mississippi where he was a pastor for a time. He later became Director of Pastoral Care for the ministries of Memphis Union Mission, a homeless shelter and drug rehabilitation ministry. From there, the Lord called them to work in Guatemala with the IMB, evangelizing and planting churches for 18 years among a Mayan people group. Jeff and Karen are privileged to have four grown children: Andrew (Yumi), Bethani (Wil), Caleb (Ashley) and Daniel. They also have three grandchildren.

Jeff’s passion is to see every member grow and go; grow deep in God’s word and go for Him in planting churches locally and internationally.

One of Jeff’s favorite Bible verses is Nehemiah 8:8.

Michelle Bolden

Ministry Administrator

Email | michelle@slaydenbaptist.com

Michelle was born and raised in the Slayden community. She has been a member of Slayden Baptist Church most of her life. She joined the Slayden staff in August of 2020 as Ministry Administrator.

Michelle is the wife to Benjamin Bolden and mother to Jonas. She loves to spend time with friends and family and really enjoys riding horses and doing almost anything outside. She also has a passion for teaching the Bible.

Michelle’s favorite Bible verse is Exodus 14:14.

Becky Cunningham

Financial Secretary & Keyboardist

Email | beckycsbc@gmail.com

Becky is a lifelong resident of the Slayden community. She joined the Slayden staff as the church secretary in October, 2006, and in September, 2012 she assumed the role of financial adviser.

Becky enjoys cooking and baking for friends and family, gardening and canning, walking, and most of all, spending time with her family. Becky and her husband Mike have been married for 40+ years and they have two children, Phillip and Holli, and also have three grandchildren, Lizzie Kate, Madison, and Reese.