MEET OUR STAFF
If you have questions for any of our staff, feel free to reach out and email them or call our church office to speak with them.
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.
JOSH WILLIFORD
PASTOR OF ADULT MINISTRIES
Josh grew up in Nacogdoches and attended Fredonia Hill with his family, where he worked his first job as a custodian through High School. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Practical Theology at Howard Payne University and his Master’s of Religious Education at Liberty University. Josh has served in ministry in a variety of settings from small town Texas to a multi-ethnic church in New York City. Josh and his wife Gail were married in 2009 and have 2 energetic kids.
Josh has been serving on staff at Fredonia Hill since 2024.
To email Josh, 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 pickleball with friends!
Emily has been serving on staff at Fredonia Hill since 2021.
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.
SETH HOFFMAN
STUDENT MINISTRY DIRECTOR
Seth claims Elkhart, Texas as his hometown (though he technically* was neither born nor raised there). Seth first served with us as a University Armor Bearer in 2021-2022 while attending Stephen F. Austin State University. He graduated with a Mass Communication degree in May of 2022.
Seth married his wife, Sam, the following month. He then moved to Lubbock to continue in ministry as a College Ministry Resident. Seth loves reading, trying new coffee, and raising up leaders!
Seth has been serving on staff at Fredonia Hill since 2024.
To email Seth click here.
ALLISON HAFFNER
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
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 on staff at Fredonia Hill since 2023.
To email Lorri, 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 on staff at Fredonia Hill since 2021.
To email Maddison, click here.
jason hill
facilities director
Jason graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in Interpersonal Communication. There he met his wife, Jessica. They have two beautiful daughters, Aravis (AJ) and Aurora (Rory).
Along with stewarding the campus of Fredonia Hill, Jason also enjoys leading worship, writing music, and wood working. When not doing these things you can find him at a park hanging out with his family.
Jason has been serving on staff at Fredonia Hill since 2024.
To email Jason, click here.
Becky Weems
director of mobilization
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.
Ashley Russell
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.
Haley chapman
communication and production administrator
Haley grew up in a small SETX "town" called Tarkington. 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 ministering to women in Greek Life at SFA. When she's not behind a computer, Haley is probably spending all day in a coffee shop with her friends or with a good book!
Haley has been serving on staff at Fredonia Hill since 2021.
To email Haley, click here.