Leadership

Pastors & Staff

Dr. Douglas O. melton

Pastor

Pastor Doug came to Southern Hills in January, 2000, his first pastorate, having previously served as an administrator at Oklahoma Baptist University for 14 years, the last 7 as Dean of Students. Born and raised in Seminole, OK, he placed his faith in Christ at the age of twelve and surrendered to the ministry the next year. An ‘83 graduate of OBU, he earned his Master of Science and PhD degrees in Higher Education from the University of North Texas. Doug and his wife, Lana, were married in 1984 and have four sons and four daughters-in-law and ten grandchildren. Doug has had the opportunity to serve on the associational level and as president of the Oklahoma Pastors Conference and Oklahoma Baptists, as well as serve on the Oklahoma Baptists Board of Directors, the SBC Executive Committee, the NAMB Send Network, and the IMB Board of Trustees. Doug and Lana enjoy being with their grandchildren and traveling. He has led trips to Israel and been a part of mission work in several countries. His favorite verse is Galatians 2:20: “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet, not I, but Christ lives in me. And the life I live, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Nathan Coats

Minister of Missions & Evangelism and College & Career

Nathan was born in Amarillo, Texas and was raised in Tuttle, Oklahoma. At the age of
thirteen, he placed his faith in Jesus Christ for salvation and at the age of 19, God called
him into vocational ministry. He graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Christian Cross-Cultural Ministry. He is currently studying at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary pursuing a Master of Divinity in Biblical
Counseling. Nathan began serving at Southern Hills in August 2020 and currently serves as the Minister of Missions & Evangelism and College & Career.
Nathan met his wife Rebekah on an international mission trip in 2017 and they were
married on December 15, 2018. The Lord has blessed them with two daughters: Elsie and Lottie. Nathan’s passion in ministry is to make disciples of Jesus Christ who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30) who are passionate about the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). Nathan enjoys reading, running, chess, and playing volleyball.

Charlie gatton 

Director of Facilities and Campus Ministries

Charlie became the Director of Facilities and Campus Ministries in March of 2023. Charlie served Southern Hills as the Children’s Pastor from 2013-2018 and then served Oklahoma Baptists as the Children’s Ministry Partner and CrossTimbers Program Director until 2023. He became a Christian at the age of 8. After 19 years as an electronics technician, he submitted to the call to full time ministry. Charlie has served churches in Tennessee and Oklahoma.

Charlie’s favorite verse is “Where there are not oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.” Proverbs 14:4

Charlie loves serving the local church and the community. He has been married to Ann for 32 years, with two grown daughters, Lara and Shelby. Shelby is married to Andy, and Lara is engaged to marry Brennan.

Jacqui Gingerich

 Preschool

Jacqui became our Director of Preschool Ministries in January 2020. She was also raised here at Southern Hills from an early age; having been baptized and married here as well! Jacqui is married to her husband, Troy, and they have three children; Phillip, Emerson, and Sawyer. After staying at home with her children for many years, Jacqui began feeling the Lord's call to ministry in early 2011. She served here at Southern Hills for three years as our Journey Coordinator before moving to FBC Mustang where she served as Director of Preschool Ministries for six years. Her favorite part of Southern Hills is the strong legacy that it holds. So many people have served almost their entire adult lives here in some aspect; whether that is as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, being a part of the quilting ministry, choir member, or teaching children's choir. In her spare time, Jacqui enjoys spending time with family, reading, and watching her children at just about any sporting event.

G.D. Hardy

Financial Administration

Don was born in Oklahoma City, and grew up in Altus, Oklahoma. He and his wife Deborah are graduates of Oklahoma Baptist University. Deborah is a retired elementary school teacher and a master quilter.  They have two married daughters and five grandchildren.  After serving in a church in Sulphur, Oklahoma for about eight years, Don came to Southern Hills in 1977 and has served in several staff positions. He enjoys reading, trying new restaurants, and travel. Don and Deborah have visited all fifty states, all of the presidential libraries, and about half of the national parks. They have visited several European countries, toured New Zealand, taken many cruises to various parts of the world and multiple trips to New York City. Don frequently uses scripture and hymn texts to express his testimony. These would include: “How firm a foundation…is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! ‘Fear not I am with thee; O be not dismayed’ …When thro’ fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply; The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose I will not desert to his foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never forsake!” He continues to be grateful for the opportunity to minister to the people of Southern Hills.

Clint Hayes 

Administration

Clint was born and raised in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He grew up in church and at the age of thirteen, he turned his life over to Christ to be his Lord and Savior. Clint was a teacher and a coach at Muskogee High School for nine years before following the call to full-time ministry. He served at First Baptist Church, Muskogee in different roles until following the call to Southern Hills in 2012. He completed a Master of Arts in Christian Education degree in 2009 from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His desire is to see people grow in their relationship with the Lord and for them to become disciple-makers. His life verse is John 15:5. Clint and his wife, Julie, were married on July 22, 1995. They have two boys, Parker and Cooper (OBU), who are active in ministry here at Southern Hills. Julie is a sixth-grade teacher in the Moore Public Schools. Their family enjoys attending sporting events, going to the movies, and just hanging out. They are fans of the Oklahoma Sooners, OKC Thunder, and the Dallas Cowboys.




Jeremy Johnson

Communication & Campus Life

Jeremy was born and raised in Seminole, Oklahoma. At the age of eight, he accepted Christ into his life, and at the age of fourteen, God confirmed a call for him to pursue full-time ministry. He graduated from Seminole High School in 1996 and then went on to earn a youth ministry degree from Oklahoma Baptist University in 2001 and a
Master of Theological Studies degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
in 2019. He is now pursuing a doctoral degree in Executive Leadership. Jeremy accepted the call to ministry while attending Super Summer Oklahoma and has been serving in the local church in Texas and in Oklahoma since 1999. In 2011, he and his family moved to Oklahoma City to serve as Minister to Students here at Southern Hills. In 2020, Jeremy transitioned into a new role as our Associate Pastor for Communication & Campus Life. Jeremy and his wife, Courtney, met at Falls Creek in 2001 and were married in 2002. They are blessed with two daughters, Logann and Merritt. In his spare time, Jeremy loves taking his daughters fishing and watching them play volleyball. He also loves the Chicago Cubs and OU football.

Tommy Merritt

Senior Adult

Tommy is a native of South Oklahoma City and has a strong bond with the local community. He attended Westmoore High School and obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2016. Furthering his education, he successfully completed a Master of Theological Studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2018. Since 2006, Tommy has been an active member of Southern Hills and has enjoyed serving in various roles. Initially joining the staff as an administrative assistant in August 2013, he later became the College Associate before assuming the role of Minister to Senior Adults in January 2020. His passion for the local church, particularly for senior adults, stems from the profound impact they’ve had on his life. His ministry philosophy is simple: equip and encourage the saints! He loves his two dogs, Winston (Pug) and Mabel (German Shepherd) and also enjoys cheering on the Oklahoma Sooners and the Denver Broncos.

David skinner

Kids Pastor 

David grew up in Lawton Oklahoma. He was raised in a Christian home and was at church anytime the door was open. When he was five, he attended to revival service where he walked down the aisle to except Jesus, but he didn’t fully understand what he was doing. It wasn’t until he was 13 years old on his bunkbed at Falls Creek, that he truly asked Jesus to become the boss of his life. During his senior in high school, David felt the call to ministry, but ran from it few years later, during college, he again felt the call from God to step into ministry, and this time he listen. He started out volunteering as a youth minister, and eventually going into full-time youth and music ministry. Few years later God called David into Children’s Ministry, and he has never looked back. David is served as a full-time children’s and family pastor for 15 years with over 21 years of ministry experience. David received his Bachelor of Science and religion Christian Ministries from Liberty University on May 2018. He has been married Charla Skinner for 23 years and has 4 amazing kids Brooklyn 21, Hannah  18, Kami 16 and Noah 13.

Daniel snow

Discipleship & Young Adults

Daniel grew up in Tulsa, Washington State, and Oklahoma City. As a child he grew up in a home hearing and seeing the gospel of Jesus early on and began trusting in Christ when he was seven. As a sophomore in high school, Daniel sensed a calling from God into vocational ministry. Jenny is his wife and best friend and they got married in 2002. The Lord has graciously given them three little yahoos: Hannah, Thomas, and Lydia. Daniel was privileged to serve as a youth pastor for almost twenty years in Kentucky, Arkansas, and New Mexico before he and his family came to Southern Hills in 2016. Daniel serves as pastor of discipleship and young adults, overseeing discipleship church wide and giving special focus to college & career, young professionals, and young families. He has a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Baptist University and a master’s degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He enjoys hanging out with family and friends, golf, disc golf, Oklahoma Sooners, reading, movies, chocolate chip cookies, and almost anything with green chili. Daniel’s life verse is Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Ruffin snow

Member Care & Prayer 

Ruffin and his wife, Melissa, have spent more than fifty years serving churches across our country. He came to Southern Hills in 2014 after having served as Senior Pastor at the Tri-City Baptist Church of Conover, North Carolina. Ruffin serves here as our Pastor for Evangelism and Member Care. This includes outreach, new member assimilation, and prayer. Realizing that evangelism is caught more so than it is taught, he loves training God’s people to share their faith. Ruffin is blessed to be married to Melissa for more than half a century! They have three children and eleven grandchildren. Their daughter, Jennifer, is married to a university professor is Birmingham and is the mother of four, including a precious special needs child. Both of their sons are ministers. Joel serves at Second Baptist, Houston and Daniel serves here at Southern Hills. Ruffin believes that serving the Lord here at Southern Hills is “more fun that shootin’ rats at the city dump!” 

Pablo Villa

Spanish - Speaking Pastor


Pablo was born and raised in the north of Spain. His family moved to the United States in 2014. He went to Westmoore High School, earned his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma Baptist University in 2020, and is currently working on completing a Master of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Pablo has been a member of Southern Hills since 2014 and began serving in 2017 as an intern. He also served as our College Associate before becoming our Pastor to the Spanish-Speaking Ministry in January of 2021. Pablo loves theology and discussing the questions and truths about God, but he also loves the local church´s love, passion, and family environment. Pablo was raised in the church and believes the church is essential to the growth of any believer. Pablo is married to Caitlyn Villa, who he met while going to OBU. They don´t have any kids yet, but they have a Border Collie-Blue Heeler dog named Charlie. He is a fan of the Oklahoma Sooners, Real Madrid, New York Giants and New York Islanders. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer, rock climbing and playing board games. 

Pablo nació en el norte de España. Su familia se mudó a los Estados Unidos en 2014. Atendió Westmoore High School, consiguió su título de Ministerio Pastoral de la Universidad Bautista de Oklahoma, y está en el proceso de obtener su Master de Divinidad a través de el Seminario Teológico Bautista de Midwestern. Pablo ha sido un miembro de Southern Hills desde el año 2014, y comenzó a servir en la iglesia en 2017 como interino. Él también sirvió como muestro Ministro Universitario antes de comenzar a servir como Pastor Hispano en Enero de 2021. A Pablo le encanta la teología y poder conversar acerca de quién Dios es. Pablo también ama la iglesia local, su amor y pasión familiar. Pablo se crio yendo a la iglesia y cree que la iglesia local es esencial para el crecimiento espiritual de cualquier creyente. Pablo está casado con Caitlyn Villa. Los dos se conocieron en su tiempo en la universidad. Todavía no tienen hijos propios, pero tienen una perrita llamada Charlie a la cual ellos quieren mucho. Pablo es un aficionado del Real Madrid, Oklahoma Sooners, New York Giants y New York Islanders. En su tiempo libre, Pablo disfruta jugar al fútbol, la escalada, y jugar a juegos de mesa.