Staff
STAFF & LEADERSHIP
At Sopchoppy SBC, we are blessed to have a dedicated and passionate team of ministerial and support staff who are committed to serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His church. Our pastor, David Allen, along with our music minister, Jerry Evans, and youth pastor, Stephen Attaway, work together as co-laborers to glorify God and minister to the body of Christ. These men are not only devoted to their calling but also to each other, creating a unified and loving team that seeks to honor God in everything they do.
Additionally, we are incredibly grateful for our support staff. Sloan Russell, our ministerial secretary, is a vital part of the team, managing the office and supporting all areas of ministry—from ordering materials to creating PowerPoints to ensuring that calls are directed to the right people. Kevin Smith, our financial secretary, is another key blessing, working alongside our church treasurer, Leona Strickland, to ensure we are good stewards of the Lord's resources.
Together, our staff works tirelessly to meet the needs of our church and community, all for the glory of God.
David Allen
PASTOR
Pastor David Allen is a devoted husband, father, and servant of God with over 33 years of ministry experience. He and his wife, Carol, are proud parents to three children: Gracie, Zachariah, and Daniel. David’s educational journey began with a B.S. in Biology as he was on his way to dental school, but God made His calling for ministry clear, leading David to shift direction. Reflecting on his journey, David often says that ministry and dentistry sound so similar it took him a while to fully recognize God's plan. Following God's call, David earned a Master of Christian Education in 2001 from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, while serving as Minister of Music and Youth at North Cleburne Baptist. Later, he earned a Master of Theology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. For over 16 years, David has faithfully served Sopchoppy SBC, first as Youth Pastor and for the past 7 years as Senior Pastor. David enjoys shooting sports, deer hunting, but loves to turkey hunt, and he would not turn down a fishing trip. His deep love for the Lord, combined with his experience and passion for ministry, continues to inspire and lead the congregation at Sopchoppy SBC.
Stephen Attaway
YOUTH PASTOR
I’m originally from Wildwood, FL but Sopchoppy has become my home! Serving as SSBC’s youth pastor since January 2019 has been one of the biggest challenges and blessings of my life. God grew me exponentially in my teenage years and I aim to see other teenagers grow in their love for God and people. I received a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Studies with a minor in Psychology from the Baptist University of Florida. My interests include kayaking, disc golfing, and Marvel movie watching.
Jerry Evans
MUSIC MINISTER
Originally from West Palm Beach, Jerry began his music career at a very early age. After graduating from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Music, he moved to Nashville and traveled the country playing music with various country and gospel bands. In 1982, he and his wife Pam (Lawhon) settled in Sopchoppy where they grew into a family of five, including three children. Jerry has been involved with Sopchoppy Southern Baptist Church since its beginnings, in some capacity, mostly in the music ministry. “I find such great joy in serving here because I believe God has given me the ability and passion to honor Him in this role."
Sloan Russell
MINISTERIAL SECRETARY
She has served Sopchoppy Southern Baptist Church for several years as the secretary and has been a member since childhood. In addition to her long-standing commitment to the church, she also holds a full-time position with the State of Florida. Both roles keep her busy, but she remains readily available and deeply committed to serving the church and her community.
Kevin Smith
FINANCIAL SECRETARY
Introducing Kevin Smith, a 52-year-old real estate wizard and Dave Ramsey Certified Financial Coach who’s basically the Tony Stark of money and mortgages—minus the iron suit, but with way better dad jokes. Married to the endlessly patient Kelly Smith, he’s raising two daughters who’ve inherited his charm and his knack for negotiating allowances. With a career spent turning houses into homes and budgets into bragging rights, Kevin’s the guy you call when you want to adult like a pro. Oh, and fun fact: he’s also the coolest man alive—just ask his wife, his girls, or his mirror. #coolestmanalive