Meet the team.

Blake Benge
Senior Pastor
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 Reeder
Minister of Missions
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!

Giles Blankenship
Minister of Worship
With a cup of coffee, a good book and a musical instrument close at hand, Giles has served alongside Snyder as Minister of Worship since 2003, giving leadership to the contemporary service. Giles wants the teams he leads to learn the rhythms of grace, care, fun and joy that point each other, the Church and the world to Jesus. His favorite team, though, is his family: his wife, Kelly and two amazing kids!!

Bruce Herrmann
Associate Pastor
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 Suggs
Minister of Music
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.

Geron Gambill
Church Administrator
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.

Karen McAmis
Director of Children & Family Ministries
No one shares a greater passion to teach and show children the love of Jesus than Karen. You’re just as likely to see Karen seated cross-legged on the floor in her office amidst a pile of paper and props as she brainstorms the next big event as you are her energy and joy as she captures the attention of a hundred kids with a story from the Bible. In life and ministry her constant companion is her husband Jason, and it’s no doubt that their ministry and desire to see others come to know Jesus begins right at home, their three boys learning the Word by doing the Word right alongside them.

Jon Nahlen
Minister with Students
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.
Assistants

Sara Barefoot
Worship Ministry Assistant
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 Mitchell
Office Ministry Assistant
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!
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!

Lyn Rice
Facilities & Missions Ministry Assistant
Lyn is an “extra” extrovert with a love for missions and world travel. Early mornings are her most productive times, especially after a cup of coffee. She recently joined the staff at Snyder in 2022 after 15 years at Fayetteville Technical Community College as a counselor and job center director. She loves NFL football but only the Atlanta Falcons. On any given Sunday, Monday, and Thursday you will find her cheering for her team. Lyn has 3 adult children, 3 bonus daughters, and 8 grandchildren.

PaulaThomson
Financial Ministry Assistant
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!!
Area Directors

Andy Dauphinais
Director of Worship Technology
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 Davenport
Music Academy Director
Music Associate & Organist
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!
“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!

Karen Ingram
Media Center Director
Karen is a later-in-life Librarian since 2012, after spending her career as an interior designer. A Fayetteville native, she is the wife of Mark, a professional safety engineer, mom to Tyler, a music minister in Carrollton, GA and Kami to their precious 2-year old Brooks.

Heather Sweeting
Director, Snyder Learning Center
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 Montalvo
Director of Food Services
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
Director of Facility Operations
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.
He and his wife Kim have four grown children and four grandchildren. Linwood enjoys spending time with his family, reading, cooking and watching sports.
Support Staff

Janice Smith
Food Service Assistant
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.

Leander Fort
Food Service Assistant
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.

Luis Hernandez
Custodian
Bio coming soon!

Antonio Reyes
Custodian
Bio coming soon!

Daryl Atkinson
Custodian
Bio coming soon!