meet our Staff

  • Kendall McDonald

    Lead PASTOR

    Kendall grew up in Midland, Texas. He received a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations from Texas Tech University and a Master of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He has spent several years ministering to youth and college students before becoming the Lead Pastor at Fredonia Hill in 2018. In 2006, he married the love of his life, Lindsey McDonald. They have five children.


    Kendall has been on staff at Fredonia Hill since November 2011.

    To email Kendall, click here.

  • Blake Russell

    Worship Pastor

    Blake is a native to Nacogdoches. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interpersonal Communications and a minor in Political Science. He has a strong desire to develop Biblical leaders in the context of the Church.  Blake and his wife, Ashley, have three wonderful girls. Aside from ministry, he is passionate about songwriting, spending time with family, and of course, fishing. 


    Blake has been on staff at Fredonia Hill since December 2012. 

    To email Blake, click here.

  • John James

    University Ministry Pastor

    John was raised in Fort Worth, Texas. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin University with a Business degree in 2015. John is married to Meleena James and they have two sons, Owen and Oliver. The James Family spends most of their time ministering to college students. John enjoys music, coffee, and comic books.

     .

    John has been serving at Fredonia Hill since 2014.

    To email John, click here.

  • Becky Weems

    Children's Ministry director / Community outreach director

    Becky has been a member of Fredonia Hill since her childhood and has served in many ministry roles throughout the years. She is married to Zac Weems and together they have four children: Lexi, Max, Carli, and Mia. The Weems family is called to serve families in Nacogdoches but also the people of Haiti through their non-profit One Foot Raised.


    Becky has been serving at Fredonia Hill since 1993.

    To email Becky, click here.

  • ALLISON HAFFNER

    ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

    Allison is from Lumberton, Texas. She graduated in December 2022 with a degree in Elementary Education from Stephen F. Austin State University. During her time in college, Allison has served within our Armor Bearer program as well as overseas during two international mission trips to Africa. She enjoys trying new things, traveling, and board games!


    Allison has been serving at Fredonia Hill since 2023.

    To email Allison, click here.

  • EMILY SINGER

    associate director of adult ministries

    Emily Singer was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She moved to Nacogdoches in 2016 and has served in many capacities at Fredonia Hill since 2018. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2020 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. 


    Emily now serves as the Associate Director of Adult Ministry. She loves connecting people to the Lord and each other and watching them walk deeply with Jesus. She feels honored to be a small part of what God is doing here at Fredonia Hill. Emily enjoys a good honey latte, deep conversations, and playing pickle ball with friends!


    Emily has been serving at Fredonia Hill since 2018.

    To email Emily, click here.

  • Meleena James

    NextGen Ministry director

    Meleena was raised in Fort Worth, Texas. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin University with a degree in Organizational Communication in 2015. As the NextGen Director, Meleena's primary role is to help implement cohesive strategy throughout our NextGen Ministry areas, from babies through to college students. Prior to this position, Meleena has served as the University Ministry Director, Nursery Coordinator, and Armor Bearer Resident. 


    Meleena is married to John James and they have two sons, Owen and Oliver. Meleena enjoys coffee, friends, and airports.


    Meleena has been serving at Fredonia Hill since 2013.

    To email Meleena, click here.

  • Lorri shrewsbury

    nextgen ADMINISTRATOR

    Lorri is from Central Florida and received her B.S in Secondary English Education from Florida State. She and her husband, Stephen, are both USAF veterans. They have two children, Caitlyn and Nolan, who will soon make them empty nesters. Lorri and her family arrived in Nacogdoches in 2017 and swiftly adopted Nac as their new hometown after many, many moves during Stephen’s long USAF career. She recently “retired” from being a stay-at-home mom and returned to the workforce by joining the staff here at FHBC. She enjoys travel, baking, and a good British period drama.


    Lorri has been serving at Fredonia Hill since 2023.

    To email Lorri, click here.

  • Ashley Russell

    Women's Ministry Director / ministry care coordinator

    Ashley is from Friendswood, TX and she met her husband Blake while in college at SFASU. Very early in their relationship, they felt a call to ministry. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a degree in Education. Ashley has been active in women's ministry at Fredonia Hill since 2012 and recently moved into the director position in 2017.


    As of 2023, she also serves as our Ministry Care Coordinator, ensuring that our methods of care for members within our church family are organized, thorough, and mobilized to the best of our ability.


    To email Ashley, click here.

  • maddison Duty

    director of operations

    Maddison is from Plano, Texas. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University. She spent four years ministering to college students at the Baptist Student Ministry at SFA before coming to work at Fredonia Hill.


    Maddison has been serving at Fredonia Hill since 2021.

    To email Maddison, click here.

  • Arely Victorio

    front desk Administrator

    Arely was born in Mexico and came to the US at a young age. She grew up in Nacogdoches, married her husband, Fransisco, and they have two children, Aaron and Alexa. As a family they serve in FH Kids & FH Students. She enjoys serving and encouraging students with their walk with Christ. Arely also enjoys spending time with family, crocheting, and listening to music.


    Arely has been serving at Fredonia Hill since 2011.

    To email Arely, click here.

  • Haley chapman

    communication and production administrator

    Haley is from Tarkington, Texas. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2019. During her time in college, she spent two years serving on staff with Cru as a campus missionary ministering to women in Greek Life. When she's not behind a computer, Haley enjoys photography, coffee shops, and traveling to new cities.


    Haley has been serving at Fredonia Hill since 2021.

    To email Haley, click here.