Meet our Staff
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Sam Leslie - Music Minister
email: smleslie@southarriman.org
Vitals: DOB: December 27
Spouse and children: Leigh Ann, and we have two children: Aaron and Daniel
Education: Jackson State Community College AS, Union University BM, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary MCM
Prior work/ministry experience: Minister of Music & Youth Fordsville Baptist Church Fordsville KY 1983-1985, Minister of Music & Education at Mignon Baptist Church, Sylacauga, AL 1985-96, Minister of Music South Harriman Baptist Church 1996-Present
What do you like most about working @ SHBC? SHBC is family. We laugh, cry, agree and disagree, but in the long run we have one Father with whom we share our love.
Who is the most influential person in your life? Besides Jesus Christ my parents have had the most influence on my life. They demonstrate a great love for God and Family.
What inspires you? God’s handiwork, whether in nature or through testimonies of how He has changed lives.
Life’s verse: Matthew 6:33
Little known fact about me: I am a frustrated artist. I wish I could draw on paper what my mind envisions, but it never seems to come out how I expect.
FAVORITES:
Book: (Other than the Bible) Just about any Max Lucado book
Restaurant: Those with food.
Ice Cream: Butter Pecan
Drink: Sweet Tea/Lemonade
Junk Food: Yes
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Matt Edwards – Education and Youth Pastor
email: medwards@southharriman.org
Vitals: DOB: April 29th
Spouse and children: none
Education: B.A. from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Working towards M.A. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Prior work/ministry experience: Minister of Youth at First Baptist Bettendorf in Bettendorf Iowa.
What do you like most about working @ SHBC? The people we live in a diverse community of people, Young and old, poor and rich, with people who know Jesus and have been walking with Him for years that I get the opportunity to learn from and we also live, in the community, with people who don’t know Christ and that need a relationship with Him that I get the opportunity to share with.
Who is the most influential person in your life? My college pastor- a great man of God and one of the best preachers I have been around. He was used by the Lord to shape and sharpen my theology, my desire to preach the Word, and how to love and take care of those you are ministering to.
What inspires you? When the light kicks on for a kid. When a kid, who is not a Christian, is encountered by the Gospel and you see that obvious change in their life that only God can do— that is what I love most about my job and that is what inspires and fires me up in life.
Life’s verse: Not a specific Life’s verse, but I have many favorites
Little known fact about me: My Dad, Mom, Brother, and myself are all Scuba divers.
FAVORITES:
Book: J.I. Packer’s A Quest for Godliness- it concerns the Puritan mentality, methodology, and theology. We need so much of that back in the American Church today.
Restaurant: Bob’s Burgers—best burgers in town!
Ice Cream: Homemade Banana Ice Cream
Drink: Close running between Diet Coke and Diet Mt. Dew
Junk Food: BBQ Smoked Pork Ribs
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Teresa Wampler – Administrative assistant
email: shbc@southharriman.org
Vitals: February 9
Spouse and children: I am married to Dennis. I have one son – Matt
Education: Graduated from Harriman High School, Harriman, TN
Prior work/ministry experience: I worked in banking for 13 years and in a doctor’s office 20 years
What do you like most about working @ SHBC? Getting to know and work with a lot of GREAT people!
Who is the most influential person in your life? My parents
What inspires you? God’s love
Life’s verse: John 3:16
Little known fact about me: Wanted to be a ballerina
FAVORITES:
Book: (Other than the Bible) different authors
Restaurant: seafood restaurants
Ice Cream: vanilla bean with chocolate chips (Marble Slab)
Drink: chocolate milk
Junk Food: Toll House chocolate chip cookies
