Staff

Ridley Barron

Senior Pastor

Ridley is a husband, father, grandfather, pastor, author, and communicator who has served in the local church for over 40 years. Born and raised in Georgia, he is a graduate of Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, where he received dual degrees in History and Christianity. After taking a year to teach high school history and coach varsity sports at Tattnall Square Academy in Macon, he continued his education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Before starting Grove Hill Church in 2018, Ridley served several different roles in ministry in churches in Texas, Georgia, and Tennessee. He has served in the roles of Children’s Pastor, Activities Minister, Student Pastor, and Church Planter/Senior Pastor. Grove Hill is the third church plant Ridley has led since 2000. He has also assisted with the start of a multitude of other churches.

Ridley and his wife, Lisa, have been married since 2007 and have four children (Morgan, Harrison, Abby, and Landon), five grandchildren, and one dog (Remington). Ridley enjoys good food, great friends, time with his family, and anything connected to the University of Georgia. On Saturdays in the fall, you will hear him cheering for his beloved Dawgs! When he is not leading Grove Hill, you will usually find him hanging out with friends and family and enjoying something covered in chocolate—easily his greatest weakness.

Matt Miazga

Worship and Education Pastor

Matt was born and raised in southeast Pennsylvania, just 15 minutes from Philadelphia. He has been involved in music ministry since he was 8 years old and began serving in youth ministry at 17. He received his first guitar for his 10th birthday and has rarely been seen without one by his side since that day.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies from Lancaster Bible College and a Master of Religious Education from Liberty University. He has served as both youth pastor and worship leader at several churches in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Illinois. He was also in a rock/worship band called FourthManFurnace, and had the amazing privilege of leading worship at youth and church events all over PA/DE/NJ. He currently also works for Lee Company as a dispatcher.

Matt and his wife, Kristin, have been married since 2013 and have three wonderful daughters: Faith, Sophia and Mattilyn. In his spare time, he loves spending time with Kristin, taking his girls on hikes, watching movies, listening to/writing music, reading and cheering on the Phillies and Flyers.

Kyle Hess

Youth Pastor

Kyle accepted Jesus as his personal Savior on Christmas Eve in 1992. It was then that he realized he could not go through his life alone. Since then, he has been involved in many ministries including mission trips, “street witnessing”, Vacation Bible School, food pantries, homeless outreach, church deacon, and over a decade as a volunteer youth pastor.

Kyle and his beautiful wife, Kelly, met in high school in 2001 and have been married since 2009. Since then, they have dedicated their marriage to the will of the Lord, constantly seeking His direction. Kyle would be lost without his helpmate, Kelly. Kyle and Kelly homeschool their two kids, Noah Monte and Storie Marie.

Kyle’s ministry has always been wherever his feet are, being a witness to everyone he encounters in everyday life. Kyle comes to us from his most recent assignment as a Sheriff’s Deputy. Kyle’s years of service in the area of law enforcement provide him invaluable experience walking with people through traumatic situations and being a steady guide through life’s toughest times.

Kyle and Kelly served in roles as lay members of the congregation at Grove Hill Church for nearly a year before stepping into this role as Student Pastor. Kyle would like to encourage you: when God moves in your life, move with Him.

Jack Baltz

Chaplain

Jack became a licensed and ordained Chaplain through the International Fellowship of Chaplains in December of 2020 and is also certified by the Federation of Fire Chaplains. He has had training in basic counseling from Light University and also has a Masters of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University as a Family Nurse Practitioner where he believes in treating his clients physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Jack has been a Christian for 38 years; using his God-given talent for teaching in both Sunday School and small group settings. Jack has also served as a church speaker for the Gideons International.

We are blessed to have Jack serve alongside our pastoral staff in the role of counseling and chaplaincy. If you have a need and would like to talk to Jack, please call the church office at 931-364-4509 for scheduling.

Lori Harber

Children’s Minister

Lori was born in Carrollton, Georgia but has spent most of her life in Middle Tennessee. She began her faith journey in high school where she began a strong, bold relationship with Christ. Lori graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Western Kentucky University. She has served as a teacher in the classroom since the fall of 2005, the last 17 years in a local elementary school in Chapel HIll.

Lori answered a call to Children’s Ministry and quickly chose to follow that call by serving at Grove Hill Church. She has worked in volunteer roles in Children’s ministry at previous churches, leading Vacation Bible School, directing children’s choir and teaching Sunday School. She has a heart for children and a deep desire to see future generations love and serve Jesus.

Lori and her husband, Keith, are active members of the community and truly love to take their love for Jesus into the marketplace. They have two wonderful children, Sadie and Lucas. In her free time, she can be found folding laundry, cheering on the Rockets, watching the Vols or volunteering at the local baseball fields.

Lisa Barron

Women’s Ministry Co-Leader

Lisa serves our children and their families out of a passion born in a mother’s heart. Having four kids (all grown) and three grandkids of her own has given her insight on the dos and don’ts of raising children. She brings that passion to this position on a weekly basis. For years, she has taught youth and children’s classes in the churches she attended. Lisa is a mom, wife (yes, she’s married to the pastor), grandmother, daughter, sister and passionate follower of Jesus. Born in Charlottesville, VA, Lisa’s family eventually relocated to Middle Tennessee when she was in 5th grade. So Tennessee is home and she loves living in Chapel Hill. For many years, she was in the real estate world before putting that aside to serve in her churches alongside of Ridley. She loves the outdoors, cooking, and cuddling her grandkids. Serving in a volunteer capacity since November, 2021, Lisa has continued to raise the bar for our kids as we plant God’s Word in their hearts and give them the life-changing truths of the Gospel. When she isn’t planning kids events or leading our women’s ministry, she can be found with Ridley cheering on the Braves and Bulldogs.

Mary Jane Butler

Women’s Ministry Co-Leader

Mary Jane and her husband Elvis have been covenant members of Grove Hill since June 2018. She has spent the past few years organizing and coordinating the Grove Hill booth for the monthly Festival of Chapel Hill Day events and leads one of our 11:00 am children church classes on Sunday mornings. Before moving to Tennessee, she directed children’s puppet ministries in Kentucky and Indiana.

Mary Jane has an associate degree in Accounting from the University of Kentucky and a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Marion University in Indiana. She and her husband Elvis have been married since 2013, both are retired from the corporate industry, and she has one “bonus” daughter.

When Mary Jane is not at church, there’s a good possibility she’s off “glamping” somewhere with Elvis!

Barbara Powers

Ministry Assistant

Barbara was drawn into ministry after her missions experience in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2000. Prior to her position here at Grove Hill, she worked with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and Midwestern Theological Seminary in Kansas City, accumulating over 20 years of experience in serving alongside churches and pastors. She, and her husband Jacky, have served as volunteers in youth, missions, and disaster relief.

Born and raised in Alabama, Barbara is a die-hard Roll Tide Fan! She’s been married to Jacky since 1983 and they are blessed with two children and three grandchildren. She loves her church, her family, and the company of good friends!

Barbara is passionate about sharing God’s love in tangible ways. She loves to meet new faces and get to know them. In her role as ministry assistant, she is the first call to many who need encouragement and prayer. One of her favorite verses is Philippians 4:14; “Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.” Barbara’s desire is that everyone who finds their way to Grove Hill is welcomed and truly feels like part of the family.