Category: Support Staff

Ministry Assistant

Born and raised: Wappingers Falls, NY – Located in the beautiful Hudson Valley

Education: Cedarville College (now University) – BS in Behavioral Science

Spouse: Thurm Payton – Married January 1988

Kids: Drew (Kristen), Maggie (Richard), Elijah, plus 6 amazing grandchildren.

Hobbies: Cooking, gardening, reading, traveling, cycling, scrapbooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Testimony: On Easter Sunday when I was 5 years of age, I asked Jesus “into my heart.” Our family was part of a wonderful church & school that discipled well, and I matured in my faith through the ministry of the church and its people. I am so thankful for those who poured into my life, challenging me to live out my faith daily. Through each season of my life, God has been faithful to teach & challenge me through His Word and His people.

lpayton@southlife.org

Nursery Coordinator

Born and Raised: Born in Lansing MI, raised in Williamston MI

Education: Lansing Community College

Ministry Experience: Serving in the nursery ministry since 6th grade, taking over as Nursery Coordinator in 2019. Also served as a Jr High leader for 5 years, Assistant Director of 2 church productions, and worked at Camp Barakel on summer staff in 2011, ‘12 and ‘14.

Hobbies: Crafts, musical theatre, watching movies.

southchurchnursery@gmail.com

Ministry Assistant to Pastor Don, Pastor Joel, and Pastor Nick

Born and raised: Born in Grove City, Pennsylvania and grew up in Lansing

Education: Michigan State University (BA Elementary Education; Language Arts specialization; minor Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages); MSU (teacher certification)

Ministry Experience: Interned for the Children’s Ministry at South for a total of 5 summers; interned for the College Ministry for a year; interned for the Student Ministry for one summer; FireUp after-school program at Cavanaugh Elementary for 5 years

Hobbies: Traveling, hiking, skiing, camping, reading, poetry, art, being an aunt (it rocks!)

Community Activities: directing/choreographing kids musical theatre

Testimony: The majority of my growing up experience was here at South with parents who are very wise. They raised my 3 brothers and I to go beyond just “doing the right thing” and consistently pursued teaching our hearts to seek God above all else – a task that required lots of perseverance! I decided that I wanted to have Jesus as my Savior at age 6. From there, I’ve spent my life learning that He is also my Lord. He has shown me the importance of discipleship, the necessity of spending personal time with Him in His Word, and the significance of opening my eyes to see what He sees and serve Him where He needs hands to serve. He has taught me that taking ownership and repenting of my guilt and sin allowed me to experience true forgiveness when He died with my burden upon Himself – and rose from the dead, offering a life of forgiveness to anyone who chooses to acknowledge their need of Him.

jdoerr@southlife.org

Ministry Assistant to Pastor Keith and Pastor Tim

Born and raised: Koutiala, Mali, West Africa

Education: Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, MI, (Masters in TESOL & Business Administration); Siena Heights University, Adrian (BA Social Work)

Ministry Experience: Sunday school teacher at the Evangelical Church of Torokorobougou, Bamako, Mali for 4 years. Member and treasurer of Youth Group of the Church of Torokorobougou for 2 years.
Sunday school Volunteer of preschoolers at Trinity Church, Lansing, MI for 2 years.

Spouse: Michael 

Kid: Bradley 

Hobbies: Gardening, crocheting, and watch movies

Testimony: I was raised in a Christian home and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at the age of twelve. I was involved in church activities such as Sunday School, choir and Bible studies. Even though I had much exposure to the Word of God it was not until I attended a youth conference in Bamako, capital of Mali that really understood the good news of what Christ has done for me. He died to save me from my sins not only that he delivered me from my fears. Since then, I have developed a personal relationship with Christ. He has been my source of strength, hope and peace wherever I go.

scoffelt@southlife.org

Ministry Assistant for Children’s Ministry and Missions (along with several other hats that I wear at various times through the year)

Born and raised: Illinois, been in Michigan since 9th grade (except Indiana for college)

Education: Fort Wayne Bible College

Ministry Experience: At South since 2001

Spouse: Tim Bassett

Kids: Son Jordan and his wife Jessica, and daughter Rachel

Hobbies: Photography (kids at South call me the camera lady!) and scrapbooking

Testimony: I was saved and baptized as a child, rededicated my life in college, and I continue to grow and see where God leads – it’s an amazing journey!

nbassett@southlife.org

Facilities Manager

Born and raised: Born in Lansing, MI. Raised in Eaton Rapids, MI

Education: Lansing Community College (Associates degree in drafting and design); builders license

Ministry Experience: I have had the privilege to serve in various church leadership positions.

Spouse: Tami Harrison (married since 1997)

Kids: Caleb, Moriah, Logan, Bree, Claire

Hobbies: Watching/playing sports and coaching kids’ soccer

Testimony: My family started to attend church regularly when I was nine years old. Soon thereafter, I accepted Jesus as my Savior. In high school we started to attend South Church and I was really grounded in the Word and equipped through the college group here at South.

tharrison@southlife.org

Business Coordinator

Born and raised: Lansing, MI

Education: Calvin Seminary (ThM); Grand Rapids Theological Seminary (MTS); Michigan State University (BA)

Spouse: Melanie Seal

Kids: Tyler, Abby, Brody

Hobbies: Reading, running

Testimony: I trusted Christ as my personal savior at age six. It was not until my teen years that I understood the full implication of that faith. I fully realized my sin kept me from knowing God personally and that Jesus’ death and redemption made that relationship possible. This relationship requires obedience to God’s call in all areas of my life. My Christian experience has shown me the faithfulness of God. As I have learned about the character of God and his Son I have tried to incorporate that into my day to day living. I have tried, although not always successfully, to demonstrate in my relationships what it means to be a member of the redeemed community.

dseal@southlife.org

Audio/Visual Coordinator

Born and raised: McMinnville, OR

Education: Clackamas Community College

Hobbies: Writing and Recording Music, Cooking, Playing Video Games

Testimony: Born into a Christian household, I accepted Christ and was baptized at 8 years old. During my youth, I became aware of a calling on my life — to serve in worship ministry. After many years of serving in a number of different volunteer roles, my wife and I felt called to “step out of the boat” and follow where the Lord would lead us. Shortly thereafter, I accepted my first full-time ministry position and moved myself and my young wife to Haslett, Michigan. After 7 months, the Lord lead me to apply for and accept this position here at South. My life verse is Proverbs 16:9, ” The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

esimpson@southlife.org

Ministry Assistant to Pastor Corb

Born and raised: Leslie, Michigan

Education: School of Life

Hobbies: Composing & Recording, Story Telling, Gaming, Frisbee

Testimony: Raised as a “Pastors Kid,” I came to my senses by the age of 16 and embraced Christ as my everything. I have worked in various churches since that time as a worship leader and youth counselor. Through every trial, Christ has kept me and I will continue to thank Him for His unending, faithful care.

jlinsley@southlife.org

Web Developer

Born and raised: Grand Ledge, MI

Education: Michigan State University (Bachelor of Fine Arts – Graphic Design)
Western Michigan University (Teaching Certificate – Art)

Family: Sarah and our four children.

Hobbies: Music, sound & lighting production, and almost anything else.

Testimony: After a difficult time in high school, Christian friends brought me to youth group, and helped me find what was missing in my life. At MSU, Sarah and I joined the South Church college group, and have been part of South’s family since 1999 – serving as short-term missionaries, working with junior high, senior high and college students, playing music for services, running sound for services, and helping develop a new Bible community and worship service.