Pastors and Staff
Lead Pastor Greg Johnston has served as senior pastor of five Mississippi churches during the last twenty-seven years. His latest place of service, prior to leaving to start The Grove Church, was FBC Batesville, MS. Greg is a graduate of William Carey University and also earned both a Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral Ministry and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Evangelistic Church Growth from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Greg and Vicki celebrated thirty-one years of marriage in May, 2008. Vicki is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelors degree in Nursing. In addition to being a registered nurse, Vicki is an outstanding Bible teacher. She has taught Young Married Adults and College and Career students in Sunday School and has taught many Beth Moore studies to ladies’ groups.
Student and Missions Pastor Britt Johnston served Barton Baptist Church for two years as Youth Pastor prior to moving to Texas. He has also served as a summer missionary to Brazil with the International Mission Board, as well as, several short term mission trips to Brazil and Mexico. Britt is a graduate of William Carey University and has attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary studying missions. Britt and Michaela were married on April 14, 2007 and served the first year of their marriage together ministering to at-risk youth.
Youth Pastor Caleb Crabtree grew up just outside of Lucedale, MS. Caleb was very active in his youth group while in high school. During his junior year, Caleb felt called into the ministry. Caleb became a leader within the youth group and ultimately surrendered to God’s calling upon his life. Immediately after high school, Caleb enrolled at William Carey University where he is pursuing a degree in Religion. While a student, Caleb has felt it necessary to be plugged into church in Hattiesburg. He volunteered to help sing in the band, Bridge, and God has been using his willingness to serve. After serving for several months, Caleb stepped up to be our Youth Pastor.
Connection Pastor Justin Grice attended The Grove Church’s first preview service and fell in love with the people and strategy of the church for reaching people. After becoming more and more involved, he was asked to come on board as part of the Pastoral team. He uses his heart for people to make connections with guests, regular attenders, and members to close the back door and preventing church drop outs. He was formally licensed to the gospel ministry at The Grove Church in 2010.
Care Pastor Will Parsons responded to a call to serve and has been an invaluable help to the church. Told between the ages of birth and six months old that he would not walk or see, Will Parsons defied the odds and is thankful for what God has done in his life. Will is a native of Brandon, MS where he graduated from Brandon High School in 2006. He has also lived in Wesson, MS and holds an Associate degree from Copiah Lincolin Community College. During his time living in Wesson, he was saved his freshmen year and surrendered to the gospel ministry. He was subsequently licensed by Zion Hill Baptist Church. Currently Will is attending William Carey University majoring in psychology and religion. His favorite thing about the Grove church is building relationships and having the freedom to worship.
Children’s Pastors Grant and Jessica Douglas both joined The Grove Church before the first “preview service”. They immediately plugged in and began working with the children and have been very dedicated to seeing children come to know Christ. With Grant’s background in working with youth and Jessica’s love for children, the two became a vital part of the children’s ministry. In April of 2010 they were asked to step up as Children’s Pastors of The Grove Church. The two readily accepted the position and serve God actively through their gifts.
Preschool and Nursery Pastor came to The Grove Church right before the official launch. A pastor’s kid who was always involved in ministry, she immediately plugged into the preschool ministry here at the church. Emily finds creative ways to teach and mold young minds about the three essential truths all preschoolers should know: God made me, God loves me, and Jesus wants to be my friend forever. In April, Emily came on board as the Preschool and Nursery Pastor.
The Grove Church
1000 Turtle Creek Drive Box A-5
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
