Ministry Staff

While Greg serves primarily as our preaching minister, he is absolutely convinced God is providing amazing opportunities for His people to join His work outside the Sylvan Hills building. He regularly interacts with elected officials, community leaders, and the unchurched to be a positive influence for Christ. Greg states, “The mission of disciples is to love God and love others by bringing Christ and His saving message to our community. Our responsibility is to share the gospel and live the gospel.”
 
Greg serves as coordinator of the Sherwood Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast and the
Sherwood City Workers and Firefighters Luncheon. He coordinates Sylvan Hill’s involvement at Project Zero’s Disney Extravaganza adoption connection event. He served for years as a Camp Director, Day Camp Director, and Bible Bowl coach.
 
Greg and his wife of 42 years, Carol, have raised four children and are blessed with five grandchildren, a “grandkid in Christ,” and three godchildren in Uruguay.

Melanie Simpson and her husband, Jordan, have been attending Sylvan Hills since 2014. In addition to being a stay-at-home-mom for her two kids, she runs her own photography business and loves working with children. Melanie has a degree in music education and enjoys using her talents to encourage the family of God.

Jenni Balcom has been a member at Sylvan Hills since 2017 and has been involved with the children’s ministry in various capacities since then. She loves working with children as a Middle and High School Spanish teacher, and is nurturing her skills by completing a Masters of Science in Education. Jenni and her husband Jared love being foster parents- currently to an amazing, boisterous kindergartener!

Wayne and his wife, Dianne, have been married since September of 1974. They have one son and have been members at Sylvan Hills since July 1989. He is retired from the Air Force and also worked for Union Pacific for 4 years before coming to work at Sylvan Hills in 1999.

Desiree is a welcoming face here at the office. She is assisting Billy in the day to day functioning of the office, can help you get in contact with the right people, is helpful with most things, and if she can’t help you she will find the person who can. She is a friendly face and a great person to talk with at the front. Desiree is the daughter of Billy and Dawn Byrd and has been attending Sylvan Hills with her family for over 15 years. She recently completed her Masters at Harding University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Bio coming soon.

Billy has served our congregation on staff through the office since 2013 as a Swiss army knife, able to do most anything on campus. While working “the list,” Billy assists the leadership here to keep the Sylvan Hills Family connected. Billy also coordinates the facilities calendar and works with Wayne to ensure the facilities are maintained. Billy and his wife Dawn are the parents of three stellar children. Desiree, Jade, and Spencer are the joy of their house. Billy has been employed as a truck driver, security officer, ambulatory technician, sound technician, roadie, forklift operator, and lifeguard among other gigs. A consummate reader, Billy does not know everything about any one thing, but likely knows at least one thing about most everything.