Our Staff

Plain and simple, Blake’s greatest desire is for people to know and follow Jesus. As a pastor this means communicating the scriptures in an engaging and helpful way, leading with clarity and caring genuinely for people. So whether you see Blake on a Sunday morning rocking Chuck Taylors or sporting a bow tie, on an evening walk in his neighborhood or a Saturday bike ride, Blake’s heart is beating the rhythm of Jesus' love for all. But after Jesus, the one who has his heart and keeps him grounded and growing since 1995 is his wife, Beverly.

Susie has been on staff since 1995 serving as Minister to youth, senior adults and education. She now serves as Minister of Missions and is mom to 2 daughters adopted in Vietnam.  She is also a Proud UK Wildcat graduate and loves to draw and paint!

Bruce’s heart is to provide God’s peace and comfort through his presence, care, comfort and encouragement. In doing so, his prayer is to develop others to do the same within our congregation and throughout our community. His earthly treasure includes wife Becky, his daughters (and acquired sons), and seven grandsons.

Richard moved to Fayetteville from Bowling Green, KY and has served Snyder Memorial Baptist since 2014. Richard holds music degrees from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY and Belmont University, Nashville, TN. Richard and Mary have 3 daughters, Sarah ~ married to Daniel Aroh, Katie ~ married to Tristen Denney and Anna ~ married to Bryan Sanders. Richard thinks he can drink more coffee than Giles…hmmm.

Born and raised in Harrisonburg, VA, Geron attended Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN, graduating in 1978.  Since then, he has served in a variety of church staff roles as Minister of Education, Music or Administration.  He joined the Snyder staff in 2004.   He is married to Kathy and they have 4 children, all married, and 6 grandchildren.  He enjoys time with family, playing trumpet in the Snyder Orchestra and various community music groups, reading and hunting.

Jon Nahlen is married to an awesome wife with four great kids! He’s been in ministry for a decade and is finishing up a Ph.D. in Biblical Exposition. 

Sara’s love for Snyder’s people and mission fuels and inspires the incredible work she does to help connect people to God in worship and to each other in meaningful community.  Approachable, helpful, and selfless, Sara’s curiosity, excellence, and expertise in database, creative, and management softwares are hallmarks of her presence here. Since 1996 Sara and her husband Robert have been an integral part of what God’s doing through Snyder. She likes her coffee dark and black and her mountains Blue Ridge.

Kay has been a member of Snyder since the 1980s where she has enjoyed being a part of over 25 Singing Christmas Tree performances. She joined the Snyder office staff in 2010 after a 30+ year teaching career in the Cumberland County School System.
An avid reader of mysteries and watcher of British tv shows, she added working on puzzles during COVID. Kay is a dog lover and Jack and Gabby, two siblings, bring joy and laughter daily to her life!

Paula has been a member of Snyder for 29 years, 25 of which she’s worked as a member of the support staff team.  She met her husband Jeff in Sunday School, and they’ll celebrate 28 years of marriage in August.  She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, and word games of any kind.  If she can do any of those favorites while on vacation in the Smokey Mountains, that’s as close to Heaven as she can get, until the real thing comes along!!

Andy has served as DOWT at Snyder since 2021. Prior, he spent a decade serving in church tech, and 8 years in The US Marine Corps Field Bands as a tuba player and audio engineer. He is a proud husband and father of four. Andy loves that he gets to use his gifts to help Snyder reach further into the community, and across the world. Andy could drink Richard's body weight in coffee.

Donna’s career has included Director of Music & Worship Arts, Organist, Pianist, and music teacher since her first job as a church organist when she was in high school. Sharing the joy of music, one of God’s greatest gifts to humankind, is a true heart blessing! Donna pursues the use of music as a source of outreach, healing, and ministry. She loves to lead people of all ages in praising, glorifying, and drawing closer to God through music and singing.  She is passionate about being a vessel for sound painting of God’s character and Word when playing piano and organ.
“How often making music we have found a new dimension in the world of sound, as worship moved us to a more profound Alleluia!”
(from When In Our Music God is Glorified).
Donna also cherishes the beauty of nature, gardening, and spending time with her family.  She and her husband Russ have six children  and are loving their new roles as grandparents!

Heather became the proud director of Snyder Learning Center in August of 2017 and has served in the education field for over 20 years.  She and her team strive for excellence and seek to provide a place where children can grow spiritually, academically, and socially in a loving environment.  Heather has a bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration and a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Development from Clemson University. 

Jelisa grew up walking and learning in the halls of Snyder Memorial. Her passion for food and her love of family brought her back to Snyder as the Food Service Director in 2012. Jelisa is married and the proud mother of five brillant children. She is also the owner of Dorothy’s Catering 2 and through this business she gives back to the community by serving 100’s of meals to the less fortunate yearly. Food is definitely her love language.

Linwood Smith has been a member of SMBC since November, 2007.  After having volunteered in many capacities he joined the staff in March, 2021 as the Director of Facility Operations.  

He and his wife Kim have four grown children and four grandchildren.  Linwood enjoys spending time with his family, reading, cooking and watching sports.

Janice has proudly served Snyder for over 20 years. Her love of cooking began as a child through shadowing her mother Dorothy and Grandmother Gertrude Barrett. She is married to Mr. Sam Peterson and they share three amazing children. She currently attends Manna Church.

With love and loyalty, Leander proudly serves as a member of the support staff here at Snyder. His experience in the food service industry lends a helping hand in handling the day to day tasks of the Kitchen and Facilities Ministry.

Bio coming soon!