Alan has his roots in Mississippi and comes to Slayden from Memphis, TN. He served churches in the mid-south area for over 42 years with his wife, Carol. Their children, Lisa and her husband, Alex, Robert and his wife Martha have given them 4 grandchildren: Ada, Beckham, Samuel, and Erin. 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.

Alan Sumner

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 4 children: Owen, Evie, Daniel, and shepherd

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. 

steven may

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.

Jonathan eastburn

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 (mia). They also have five 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.

Jeff Thomas

While originally from Slayden, Ryan spent several of her formative years in Moscow, Russia as a missionary kid. Slayden Baptist is her home church, where she met and married her husband, Hunter West. She teaches a Sunday school class with her husband. She also leads a discipleship group in her home. Ryan and Hunter volunteer in the youth ministry and several aspects of the worship ministry.  Ryan has several years of formal training in writing and business. The West's look forward to continue serving Slayden for years to come.

Ryan is passionate about discipling young women in Biblical womanhood and Bible literacy. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, knitting, and spending time with family and friends.

ryan west

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.

becky cunningham