Billy Chidester
Senior Pastor
Pastor Billy has been preaching for almost 25 years now. His father and both of his grandfathers served as pastors and an in other areas of ministry. So, Pastor Billy is thankful to have come from several generations of ministers. He has served in South Mississippi, in New Mexico and has now been serving at Elmdale since 2015. Through the Lord’s amazing grace Pastor Billy became a Christian when he was 9 years old and today is thankful that the Lord has counted him faithful to serve as a pastor to love and shepherd the people the Lord has put before him. Pastor Billy is a graduate of William Carey College in Hattiesburg, MS and received his Master of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Pastor Billy is married to his wife Evangelina for 25 years and they have two grown Children, Shirley (and her husband and Son) and Little Billy. The Chidester family is thankful to serve the Lord and His Kingdom in NWA.
Pastor Billy is married to his wife Evangelina for 25 years and they have two grown Children, Shirley (and her husband and Son) and Little Billy. The Chidester family is thankful to serve the Lord and His Kingdom in NWA.
Waylon Vande Hoef
Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Administration
When I joined Elmdale Staff: December 2022
What area(s) of Ministry do you work in: Adult Ministries
Family: Married my college sweetheart Michele. We have been married since June 2007. We have been blessed with our son Isaiah. He was born in New Orleans. Michele was born in Fort Worth Tx and grew up all over the states and I was born in Sioux Center IA and call Rogers, AR home.
When I was saved: I was saved at the age of 10 in the summer of 1991. Was visiting a small Baptist Church in Lowell with a friend. At this time, I believed in Jesus, but never made the profession of faith. So, my friend asked me if I have ever trusted Jesus as my personal savior. I had not, so he led me to his pastor and I was able to confess Christ as my Savior. The faith journey has been set ever since. Not always an easy or pretty journey, but God has been faithful.
Aside from the Bible, what is one of your favorite books on who Jesus is: "Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers'' by: Dane C. Ortlund
What area(s) of Ministry do you work in: Adult Ministries
Family: Married my college sweetheart Michele. We have been married since June 2007. We have been blessed with our son Isaiah. He was born in New Orleans. Michele was born in Fort Worth Tx and grew up all over the states and I was born in Sioux Center IA and call Rogers, AR home.
When I was saved: I was saved at the age of 10 in the summer of 1991. Was visiting a small Baptist Church in Lowell with a friend. At this time, I believed in Jesus, but never made the profession of faith. So, my friend asked me if I have ever trusted Jesus as my personal savior. I had not, so he led me to his pastor and I was able to confess Christ as my Savior. The faith journey has been set ever since. Not always an easy or pretty journey, but God has been faithful.
Aside from the Bible, what is one of your favorite books on who Jesus is: "Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers'' by: Dane C. Ortlund
Cara Stevens
Worship Leader
When I joined Elmdale Staff: August 2019
What area(s) of Ministry do you work in: Music Ministry
Family: I married my husband Julius in July 2010 and we have 2 children, Luke and Layton.
When I was saved: I was saved at the age of 10 and baptized that same year. I am thankful to have been blessed with a loving family and church family to help disciple me. When I was 18, I went on my first mission trip to Romania where the Lord called me to serve in the ministry.
What area(s) of Ministry do you work in: Music Ministry
Family: I married my husband Julius in July 2010 and we have 2 children, Luke and Layton.
When I was saved: I was saved at the age of 10 and baptized that same year. I am thankful to have been blessed with a loving family and church family to help disciple me. When I was 18, I went on my first mission trip to Romania where the Lord called me to serve in the ministry.
Brandy Feagin
Children's Director
When I joined Elmdale Staff: April 2022
What area(s) of Ministry do you work in: Children Kindergarten-5th Grade & Childcare
Family: I met and married my husband, Eli, in March of 2009 at Elmdale Baptist Church. Together we have 5 children, Abigail, Collin, Jack, Katelynn, & Haley.
When I was saved: I was saved when I was 6, when I realized that I was a sinner and Jesus was the only hope for my salvation. And the Lord has faithfully been by my side to guide and teach me at each stage of my life.
Aside from the Bible, what is are your favorite books on who Jesus is: "You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity" by Francis & Lisa Chan; and "Momma Bear Apologetics" by Hillary Morgan Ferrer
What area(s) of Ministry do you work in: Children Kindergarten-5th Grade & Childcare
Family: I met and married my husband, Eli, in March of 2009 at Elmdale Baptist Church. Together we have 5 children, Abigail, Collin, Jack, Katelynn, & Haley.
When I was saved: I was saved when I was 6, when I realized that I was a sinner and Jesus was the only hope for my salvation. And the Lord has faithfully been by my side to guide and teach me at each stage of my life.
Aside from the Bible, what is are your favorite books on who Jesus is: "You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity" by Francis & Lisa Chan; and "Momma Bear Apologetics" by Hillary Morgan Ferrer
Robin Fairchild
Financial Secretary
When I joined Elmdale Staff: June of 2019
What area(s) of Ministry do you work in: Community Outreach and Financial matters for the church, Children and Preschool Ministry.
Family: Paul and I were married in 1985. We both grew up in NWA. We have two grown children that are married, and five wonderful grandchildren.
When I was saved: I was saved when I was 18 years old attending a local Freewill Baptist Church here in Springdale. I had been attending the church for several months. One day I knew the Lord was calling me to submit my life to Him. I went down the aisles that day, and my life has never been the same. Over the years, I have learned to Praise God in the good times, and to Praise God in the hard times. Life will never be easy in this world, but God is stronger than anything in this world.
Aside from the Bible, what is are your favorite books on who Jesus is: Trigonometry, I am a numbers girl.
What area(s) of Ministry do you work in: Community Outreach and Financial matters for the church, Children and Preschool Ministry.
Family: Paul and I were married in 1985. We both grew up in NWA. We have two grown children that are married, and five wonderful grandchildren.
When I was saved: I was saved when I was 18 years old attending a local Freewill Baptist Church here in Springdale. I had been attending the church for several months. One day I knew the Lord was calling me to submit my life to Him. I went down the aisles that day, and my life has never been the same. Over the years, I have learned to Praise God in the good times, and to Praise God in the hard times. Life will never be easy in this world, but God is stronger than anything in this world.
Aside from the Bible, what is are your favorite books on who Jesus is: Trigonometry, I am a numbers girl.
Lisa Thompson
Preschool Coordinator
When I joined Elmdale Staff: February 2020
Family: I was born raised in Lawton, Oklahoma. I met my husband Dennis in 1980 at my neighbors house. We married in 1981. We moved to NWA in 1984. We have one daughter, Rebekah, her husband Jason and our two grandsons Seth and Titus.
When I was saved: I asked Jesus in my heart April 19th, 1968. I was blessed to have wonderful, godly people pouring themselves into our preschool and childrens ministery. My parents also took us to church and taught us by example on having a christ-filled life and serving others.
Aside from the Bible, what is are your favorite books on who Jesus is:
Aside from the Bible i love reading books and studies by Tony Evans
Family: I was born raised in Lawton, Oklahoma. I met my husband Dennis in 1980 at my neighbors house. We married in 1981. We moved to NWA in 1984. We have one daughter, Rebekah, her husband Jason and our two grandsons Seth and Titus.
When I was saved: I asked Jesus in my heart April 19th, 1968. I was blessed to have wonderful, godly people pouring themselves into our preschool and childrens ministery. My parents also took us to church and taught us by example on having a christ-filled life and serving others.
Aside from the Bible, what is are your favorite books on who Jesus is:
Aside from the Bible i love reading books and studies by Tony Evans