Elders
Matt Sliger
Matt began attending South Woods in the fall of 2007, receiving the bulk of his ministry training while serving the church as an intern. Eventually, he earned a PhD in Applied Theology at Southeastern Seminary. Matt currently serves as an Adjunct Greek Instructor for Bethlehem College and Seminary. He contributed articles on the Psalms, Zephaniah, Zechariah, and 1 Corinthians to The Jesus Bible. He enjoys playing music, coaching baseball, and being a dad. He and his wife Julie have three children.
Matt began attending South Woods in the fall of 2007, receiving the bulk of his ministry training while serving the church as an intern. Eventually, he earned a PhD in Applied Theology at Southeastern Seminary. Matt currently serves as an Adjunct Greek Instructor for Bethlehem College and Seminary. He contributed articles on the Psalms, Zephaniah, Zechariah, and 1 Corinthians to The Jesus Bible. He enjoys playing music, coaching baseball, and being a dad. He and his wife Julie have three children.
Jim Carnes
Jim Carnes has served as Minister of Music at South Woods since 1995. He received his education at Union University (BM) and North Texas State University (MA in Musicology). He and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 30+ years and have two daughters: Anna and Mary. In addition to his music responsibilities at South Woods, Jim teaches one of the Adult Sunday school classes and shares in Wednesday evening teaching ministries. He has written articles for various journals and books in the areas of worship, history, theology, and rhetoric. His full time job is at Oak Hall clothing store in Memphis where he is a men’s clothes buyer.
Jim Carnes has served as Minister of Music at South Woods since 1995. He received his education at Union University (BM) and North Texas State University (MA in Musicology). He and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 30+ years and have two daughters: Anna and Mary. In addition to his music responsibilities at South Woods, Jim teaches one of the Adult Sunday school classes and shares in Wednesday evening teaching ministries. He has written articles for various journals and books in the areas of worship, history, theology, and rhetoric. His full time job is at Oak Hall clothing store in Memphis where he is a men’s clothes buyer.
Chris Wilbanks
Chris has been a member at South Woods since the winter of 2002 and became an elder in 2009. He received a BA in ministry from Clear Creek Baptist Bible College and received his Master of Divinity in pastoral studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He enjoys holy hip-hop, NBA basketball, fishing, global missions, and sharing meals with his family. He and his wife Jessica have been married since 1999. They are grateful parents to Isaac and Beth.
Chris has been a member at South Woods since the winter of 2002 and became an elder in 2009. He received a BA in ministry from Clear Creek Baptist Bible College and received his Master of Divinity in pastoral studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He enjoys holy hip-hop, NBA basketball, fishing, global missions, and sharing meals with his family. He and his wife Jessica have been married since 1999. They are grateful parents to Isaac and Beth.
Drew Harris
Drew and his wife, Jenny, have been members of South Woods since 2010. Drew shares teaching responsibilities for the couples Sunday School class. He also has served on the finance committee and as a pastoral intern. He received his Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a B.A. in English from the University of Mississippi, and a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Memphis. He currently works for an integrated communications agency in marketing and public relations. Drew enjoys reading, fly fishing, golf, and is a certified barbecue judge.
Drew and his wife, Jenny, have been members of South Woods since 2010. Drew shares teaching responsibilities for the couples Sunday School class. He also has served on the finance committee and as a pastoral intern. He received his Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a B.A. in English from the University of Mississippi, and a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Memphis. He currently works for an integrated communications agency in marketing and public relations. Drew enjoys reading, fly fishing, golf, and is a certified barbecue judge.
Andy Fortner
Andy and his wife, Beth, have been members of South Woods since the fall of 2013. They have been married since 2000 and have three daughters. He serves the Preschool Ministry, helps teach the couples Sunday school class, and participates as a pastoral intern. He received his Bachelors of Arts from Union University and his Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Andy is a third generation masonry contractor, working for his family’s construction company. He enjoys reading, baking, and watching football.
Andy and his wife, Beth, have been members of South Woods since the fall of 2013. They have been married since 2000 and have three daughters. He serves the Preschool Ministry, helps teach the couples Sunday school class, and participates as a pastoral intern. He received his Bachelors of Arts from Union University and his Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Andy is a third generation masonry contractor, working for his family’s construction company. He enjoys reading, baking, and watching football.
Tommy Campbell
Dr. Tommy Campbell started attending South Woods in August of 1988 in the second year of her existence. He serves our community as a physician. He faithfully leads the Missions Committee at South Woods in planning global trips. He and his wife Betty have been married for over 30 years and have four sons.
Dr. Tommy Campbell started attending South Woods in August of 1988 in the second year of her existence. He serves our community as a physician. He faithfully leads the Missions Committee at South Woods in planning global trips. He and his wife Betty have been married for over 30 years and have four sons.
Pastoral Staff
Jim Carnes
Pastor of Worship
Jim Carnes has served as Minister of Music at South Woods since 1995. He received his education at Union University (BM) and North Texas State University (MA in Musicology). He and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 30+ years and have two daughters: Anna and Mary. In addition to his music responsibilities at South Woods, Jim teaches one of the Adult Sunday school classes and shares in Wednesday evening teaching ministries. He has written articles for various journals and books in the areas of worship, history, theology, and rhetoric. His full time job is at Oak Hall clothing store in Memphis where he is a men’s clothes buyer.
Matt Sliger
Senior Pastor
Matt began attending South Woods in the fall of 2007, receiving the bulk of his ministry training while serving as an intern here. Eventually, he earned a PhD in Applied Theology at Southeastern Seminary. Matt currently serves as an Adjunct Greek Instructor for Bethlehem College and Seminary. He contributed articles on the Psalms, Zephaniah, Zechariah, and 1 Corinthians to The Jesus Bible. He enjoys playing music, coaching baseball, and being a dad. He and his wife Julie have three children.
Chris Wilbanks
Associate Pastor
Chris has been a member at South Woods since the winter of 2002 and joined the staff in a part-time capacity in 2011. In April of 2022, he was voted in as full-time associate pastor. He received a BA in ministry from Clear Creek Baptist Bible College and received his Master of Divinity in pastoral studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He enjoys holy hip-hop, NBA basketball, fishing, global missions, and sharing meals with his family. He and his wife Jessica have been married since 1999. They are grateful parents to Isaac and Beth.
David Johnson
Discipleship Minister to Students & Families
David joined the staff at South Woods in January of 2023. By God's grace, he was redeemed by Christ at an early age under the influence of faithful parents. A native of the Memphis area, he graduated from Bartlett High School, the University of Memphis, and Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. David is married to April and they find great joy in parenting their five children. In addition to serving the church, David enjoys coffee, reading, and home renovations.
Deacons
Russell Pennington
Russell E. Pennington had his eyes and heart opened to saving faith in Jesus Christ at his church home of 16 years, Faith Baptist in Barton, MS. He began visiting South Woods in 2002 at the invitation of his prospective father-in-law to gain insight into the biblical instruction his daughter (whom he was interested in marrying) was sitting under. Here at South Woods, Russell was first introduced to the Doctrines of Grace and leadership by elders. After marrying, it was these truths and the atmosphere that they nurture that led him and his new bride Amanda to join the body as a couple in 2004, build a family here, and invest in people between here and their home in Byhalia, MS. Russell has served as a deacon since 2012. Amanda extended their ministry in 2023 by serving as Nursery Director. Russell, a graduate of the University of MS with a BA in Business Administration, currently serves as the Technical Services Manager of Northcentral Electric Cooperative in Olive Branch, MS and a proprietor in home maintenance. Amanda, a graduate of Crichton College, is a homemaker and educates their youngest children, Silas, Jonah and Emma. Their oldest son, James is studying at MSU.
Steven Hockman
Steven has been a member at South Woods since 2004. He and his wife, Kristin, were married in 2005 and they have 2 children. Steven graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Commerce & Business Administration. He is a Director of Revenue Cycle Management at AdaptHealth. If there is time to do so, Steven enjoys playing basketball and reading.
Mark Wiseman
Mark, a former Roman Catholic, was converted to Christ by God’s grace in 1988. God used Mark’s wife Nancy, then recently converted, to both live out the Gospel before him and speak it into his life. Mark and his family began attending South Woods in 1997. During the week he works in the insurance industry specializing in risk management consulting. He enjoys playing tennis when he has time. Mark and Nancy have three children. He and Nancy also enjoy spending time with their 5 grandchildren God has blessed them with.
Mark, a former Roman Catholic, was converted to Christ by God’s grace in 1988. God used Mark’s wife Nancy, then recently converted, to both live out the Gospel before him and speak it into his life. Mark and his family began attending South Woods in 1997. During the week he works in the insurance industry specializing in risk management consulting. He enjoys playing tennis when he has time. Mark and Nancy have three children. He and Nancy also enjoy spending time with their 5 grandchildren God has blessed them with.
Jay Campbell
Jay began attending South Woods in 1988 shortly after the church's first anniversary and, with the exception of when he lived away from Memphis for college and law school, has been a member since that time. Jay met his wife Jennifer (Sharp) Campbell at South Woods and they have two daughters. Jay is a graduate of George Washington University and Vanderbilt University. Jay is an attorney who assists clients with corporate law matters. In addition to his service at South Woods, Jay serves on the boards of directors of a number of nonprofit entities.
Jay began attending South Woods in 1988 shortly after the church's first anniversary and, with the exception of when he lived away from Memphis for college and law school, has been a member since that time. Jay met his wife Jennifer (Sharp) Campbell at South Woods and they have two daughters. Jay is a graduate of George Washington University and Vanderbilt University. Jay is an attorney who assists clients with corporate law matters. In addition to his service at South Woods, Jay serves on the boards of directors of a number of nonprofit entities.
Brian Knack
Brian was saved during the summer of 2004 and was encouraged greatly in his faith through involvement with the University of Memphis Baptist Collegiate Ministries from 2008-2013. Brian has been attending South Woods since the Summer of 2014 after he and his wife Emily's engagement. Brian and Emily were married in 2014 and had their son Cooper in January of 2019. Brian and Emily both have hearts for missions and investing in the children of our church. Professionally, Brian is a CPA in the state of Tennessee working for CCL Label in Collierville. In his free time, Brian participates in kayak bass fishing tournaments in West Tennessee.
Brian was saved during the summer of 2004 and was encouraged greatly in his faith through involvement with the University of Memphis Baptist Collegiate Ministries from 2008-2013. Brian has been attending South Woods since the Summer of 2014 after he and his wife Emily's engagement. Brian and Emily were married in 2014 and had their son Cooper in January of 2019. Brian and Emily both have hearts for missions and investing in the children of our church. Professionally, Brian is a CPA in the state of Tennessee working for CCL Label in Collierville. In his free time, Brian participates in kayak bass fishing tournaments in West Tennessee.
Butch Sharp
Butch has been a member of South Woods since 1992. His primary responsibility has been facilities maintenance.
He and his wife Joy were married in 1975 in Jackson, Tennessee and they lived in Corinth, Mississippi for seventeen years before moving to Memphis in 1992. He is retired from industry where he was a product design engineer and engineering manager with several companies. They have two children, Jennifer and Jeremy and seven grandchildren. Jennifer lives in Memphis with her husband, Jay Campbell. Jennifer is an interior design manager and Jay is a contract lawyer. They have two daughters, Caroline and Isla Jane. Jeremy lives in Vicksburg, Mississippi with his wife Mary Hunter Arant. He is a engineer with the U. S. Army Corp of Engineers. They have three sons, Sawyer, Hayden, Barrett and two daughters, Anneliese and Alice.
Butch has been a member of South Woods since 1992. His primary responsibility has been facilities maintenance.
He and his wife Joy were married in 1975 in Jackson, Tennessee and they lived in Corinth, Mississippi for seventeen years before moving to Memphis in 1992. He is retired from industry where he was a product design engineer and engineering manager with several companies. They have two children, Jennifer and Jeremy and seven grandchildren. Jennifer lives in Memphis with her husband, Jay Campbell. Jennifer is an interior design manager and Jay is a contract lawyer. They have two daughters, Caroline and Isla Jane. Jeremy lives in Vicksburg, Mississippi with his wife Mary Hunter Arant. He is a engineer with the U. S. Army Corp of Engineers. They have three sons, Sawyer, Hayden, Barrett and two daughters, Anneliese and Alice.
Sam Hughey
Sam has been a member of South Woods Baptist church since 1999. Sam is a Memphis native where he graduated from Overton High School. He attended Guilford College and Greensboro Bible Institute in Greensboro, North Carolina where he lived for 9 years. Sam has taught numerous classes and has been teaching the pre-teen and teen Sunday School for more than 10 years. He is involved with the church's book ministry, website and church security. Sam has been employed in the IT department of a local, major Auto Parts retailer for 30+ years.
Sam has been a member of South Woods Baptist church since 1999. Sam is a Memphis native where he graduated from Overton High School. He attended Guilford College and Greensboro Bible Institute in Greensboro, North Carolina where he lived for 9 years. Sam has taught numerous classes and has been teaching the pre-teen and teen Sunday School for more than 10 years. He is involved with the church's book ministry, website and church security. Sam has been employed in the IT department of a local, major Auto Parts retailer for 30+ years.