Jeff James, Senior Pastor 

Jeff is a graduate of Mississippi College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  Prior to coming to Green Valley as Senior Pastor in July 2011,  Jeff served for twelve years as the Senior Pastor at Mt. Vernon Church in Columbus, MS. Jeff and his wife, Jo Ellen, have two children.

 Interview Questions:

What is something about you that not many people would know?  I am a Mississippi State Fan.

What is your favorite place to eat?  Anthony’s in West Point, MS and  The Cheesecake Factory

What is one of your favorite quotes? “Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not.”  George Bernard Shaw

David Byrd, Family Ministries

David has been on staff at Green Valley for 8 years.  He and Karla have been married for 22 years and have 3 children.

Interview Questions:

What passage of the Bible means the most to you? What’s the deal with only one? I have two:

Galatians 2:20 is first, because it’s not about me. Isaiah 6:8 is next, because I should be ready to say “Here I am.” 

What is something about you that not many people would know? I love to cook, you can see I love to eat but I also love cooking. Country cooking or “fancy food” I want to learn it all. Cooking for someone says, “You’re special to me.”

Where’s your favorite place to eat? Wow, I’m a foodie so I really don’t have a single place.  I like discovering new places. I don’t order the same thing twice on a menu.

Other than Jesus, what famous person (past or present) would you like to meet?  There are two, Brian May and Eric Clapton.  I’ve met Brian, but I’d love to sit down with them and talk music.  I’d like to play golf with Alice Cooper too.

Dana Berry, Administration & Missions

Dana joined the GV staff in 2006. Married to Karen, they have two children. He spent 14 years as a CPA in public accounting in Florida after graduating from Stetson University. Dana is also a graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Interview Questions:

What is something about you that not many people would know? I love history,  especially World War II and American Civil War.

What is your favorite place to eat? Too many places I enjoy, but two favorites are Tip Top Grill (in the fall) and Logan’s (anytime).

What Bible passage means the most to you? Philippians 4:4-8. It gets me though every moment of every day.

Which celebrity do you get mistaken for? Dave Barry.

What was your first job? I worked in the Frontierland Trading Post and Tri-Cornered Hat Shop at Walt Disney World.

If you could learn anything, what would it be? To be a pilot.

Marion Eubank, Worship

Marion has been at Green Valley for over 25 years as Worship Leader and Minister of Music.  His wife, Karen and he are blessed to have two girls who are married with children.  “Bubba”, as he is most widely known is a graduate of Samford University and Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Interview Questions:

What is something about you that not many people would know? I was a late night radio DJ for a short time while in college.  Contemporary Christian… Amy Grant, Imperials, Dallas Holm, etc.

What is your favorite place to eat? Many, but one of my local favorites is Firebirds. I love the Pecan Crusted Trout.

What Bible passage means the most to you? Proverbs 3:5-6 has been my life verse, constantly reminding me to trust and lean on Him.

Which celebrity do you get mistaken for? Big Bird

What was your first job? I washed cars and did odd jobs at the Ford Dealership in Montgomery.

Todd Oakley, Students

Todd has been serving at Green Valley since 2007 and is passionate about connecting with students and helping them connect with Christ.  Todd attended Samford University where he graduated in 2008 with a degree in Business Administration. He is now pursuing a Masters of Divinity at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. In May of 2008, Todd made one of the best decisions of his young life by marrying Lindsay.  Since then, God has blessed them with two sweet girls - Lila Kate (Oct 2009) and Anna Banks (Nov 2011).  It is safe to say that there is never a dull moment around the Oakley house!

Interview Questions:

What is something about you that not many people would know? I am missing a bottom front tooth thanks to a spirited one-on-one basketball game with my older (and less-skilled) brother.

What is your favorite place to eat? Welcome to Moe's! Oh and Logan’s too.

What passage of the Bible means the most to you? Obviously this is a tough one, but probably Philippians 2 because it captures the example Christ set for us and challenges us to follow His example. 

What is the #1 most-played song on your iPod? Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On”.  No brainer.  A close second would be Chris Tomlin’s “Our God is Greater”.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Anything related to sports (watching and playing) and attempting to play guitar and golf.

Rhonda Freeman, Children

Rhonda joined the Green Valley staff in January, 1993 as Director of Children’s Ministries. She married her high school sweetheart after graduating from Samford University. She and David have one daughter.

Interview Questions:

What is something about you that not many people would know? I owned one of the first private schools in Birmingham.

What is your favorite place to eat? Mugshots (and yes, I am their official spokesperson!).

What Bible passage means the most to you? I actually have two. My life long verse that I lean on every day is Proverbs 3:5-6. The verse I was given when God called me into ministry is 1 Peter 4:11.

What is your favorite time of the year? I love the Fall. Not only do I love the changing of the colors of the leaves and the cooler weather, but being a sports fan, I look forward to enjoying football and baseball going on at the same time. I get to watch both of my favorite sports.

What would you do if you were not in full-time ministry? I would love being a choral teacher in elementary, middle or high school, where I still would be involved with my passion—working with kids.

What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done? It happens every August as I watch my 6th graders leave the Studio 56 ministry to go on to the Middle School Ministry.

Dawn Corley, Activities

Dawn was named Activities Director at Green Valley in October of 2004. Originally from Kentucky, she and her husband, Jeff, came to Alabama by way of Louisiana, Illinois, and Indiana.  They have two young sons.

Interview Questions:

What passage of the Bible means the most to you? Ephesians 4:1…the reason I “gave ministry a try”…to live a life worthy of the calling I have received.

What is something about you that not many people would know? My senior year in college I was the mascot for the Murray State Racers.  (I was the WHOLE horse…not just the back end!)

Where’s your favorite place to eat? Lloyd’s. There’s no beating the staff, the onion rings, or the ½ gallon size tumblers of tea!

What teams do you passionately support?  I’m a full-time mom of two boys, so any team they’re on…lacrosse, baseball, basketball, flag football, bowling…you get the idea. 

Lori Adderhold, Preschool Weekday

Lori graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in English and Secondary Education. After teaching middle school for many years, she then taught the 4K class here at GVB before accepting the Director's position in 2009. She and her husband, Andy, have one daughter.