LEADERSHIP TEAM
Our leadership team recognizes the authority of God, and realizes that we are shepherds who serve under the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. We desire to devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word. Our passion and goal is to equip the believers for the work of the ministry until we all attain maturity in the fullness of Christ.
Ken Clark
Senior Pastor - oakwoodpastor@epbfi.com
Pastor Ken Clark has been in ministry for over thirty years. Serving over seventeen of those here at Oakwood Baptist.
“Oakwood is an awesome family and I love being a part of it.”
Pastor Clark has been married to his best friend, Pat, since 1990.
“We have two great sons, Nathan and Joseph. “
Nathan graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in May of 2018. He is married to Bethany and has one son, Thatcher. Joseph, my youngest son, is currently attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Pastor Clark is originally from Texas and has a love for sports, especially Texas sports teams. He is an avid fan of both the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Longhorns.
“Pat tells me that it is more of a disease that I have than just being a fan.”
Pastor Clark loves pastoring, teaching, and encouraging others.
“I want to use these gifts to know God, to grow believers, and to impact our world for Christ.”
Grady Dishroon
Associate Pastor - oakwoodassociate@epbfi.com
“Growing up, I never dreamt that I would be where God has me now. Like many people, I thought I would get a college degree, make a lot of money, marry a beautiful woman, and have a couple of strong, athletic, handsome boys. And some of that did happen. While getting a BS degree in Computer Science at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, I met a beautiful girl named Kim. We were married in 1988 and later had a couple of strong, athletic/artistic, beautiful…girls (Kara and Kelsey). “
“I joined and began serving in the church where my wife, her father, her grandparents and her great grandparents had grown up. In fact, my children are fifth generation active members at Oakwood. I fell in love with the body of believers here at Oakwood and they quickly became a part of my family.”
“After doing pretty well in ‘my’ chosen career, God began to show me what ‘He’ had planned for me. He tugged at my heart as I worked with the children and then with the youth and in the music ministries of the church. I soon found myself serving as the interim ministers of music and youth. After a while I was asked to serve as the permanent, part-time Minister of music. “
“After six years of working two jobs, I began to question what it was that I was supposed to be doing in this world. I made the decision to resign the part-time position of Minister of Music and concentrate on my career. That seemed only logical since my career is what provided the means to the lifestyle we had grown accustomed to. “
“But, God had other plans for my life. On the Friday immediately following the Sunday in which I resigned from the church, I was informed that multiple key positions in my company were being eliminated. My position was one of them. It was as if God was saying, “You dummy, you quit the wrong job!” It was not long before God opened the door for a full-time ministry position at the church I loved. “
“So, in February of 2004, I became the Minister of Church Growth and Development here at Oakwood and was ordained in April of 2007. Since then, I have filled in between Ministers of Music and Youth Ministers. During this time, I also received my Seminary degree from Liberty University Theological Seminary. And in April of 2017 I was officially named the Associate Pastor of Oakwood Baptist Church. I truly never saw that coming! God is Good!”
Ben Rivers
Student Pastor - oakwoodyouth@epbfi.com
Pastor Ben Rivers was called to Oakwood in May 2017. This was when he and his family moved to Chattanooga from Savannah, TN and have since fell in love with the city and their church.
Pastor Ben has been married to Magen since 2009. They have four children, Molly, Nora, Annie, and Jack who are a constant source of joy in their life.
“ When I get the opportunity to get away, you will find me hiking, hunting, camping, somewhere on the water, or doing just about anything outdoors. Stick me in a hammock with a fresh cup of coffee and I’ll be on cloud 9! “
Pastor Ben has a passion for students and for seeing them come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Growing up, his years in youth group were the most influential years in his life.
“ I am so grateful that I had a student pastor that invested in me. I pray that I am able to have the same impact on the students that I have the privilege of leading in the Student Ministry here at Oakwood. “
Pepper Wilson
Children’s ministry director - oakwoodchildren@epbfi.com
Pepper joined the staff in January of 2017. Pepper has an education degree from The University of the Cumberlands and a Masters from the University of TN and she loves the Lord and kids. She is in charge of planning and coordinating all children ministries as well as teaching and nurturing the children of Oakwood using high standards and an abundance of love.
“I’m a Christ follower, wife of Tim, mom to Jamie and Jacob, and Director of Children’s Ministry at Oakwood. My family has been part of the Oakwood family since 2014 and I joined the staff in January of 2017. “
“We love our Oakwood family! God gave me a heart for children and a desire to teach. Before becoming a homeschooling mama, I taught fourth grade for several years. My desire as Children’s Director is to help equip parents, support our children’s ministry leaders, and teach our kids about Jesus and His Love.”
Bailey Owens
Ministry Assistant - oakwoodchatt@gmail.com
Bailey has grown up at Oakwood Baptist Church, serving and being involved in many different areas over the years, in 2019 she began working in the Church Office offering assistance to the pastoral staff and Church members as needed.
Bailey’s desire is to support the ministries of Oakwood Baptist Church and to live life fully devoted to Christ as it says in Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”