Staff
JEFF WHITLOCK
Senior Minister
You can catch Jeff after service in the lobby laughing with the adults and catching up, all the while shaking the arms off of their kids with one his famous, loveable “Jeff Handshakes.” When he’s not preaching or getting ready for a sermon, he is probably busy cheering for his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers or Penn State Nittany Lions! Either that, or spending time with the love his life, Julie, with their two kids, Jeff and Patti, their spouses, or having fun with grandsons, Huck and Whit! What Jeff loves the most about serving here are the deep and significant relationships he’s been able to create with his church family. If you were to know Jeff for just a few moments, it’d already be easy to see: He’s passionate about helping others experience a real and personal relationship with the God who made them, loved them, and wants to spend eternity with them!
KYLE WILKS
Youth Minister
You can find Kyle doing just about anything – from playing in a Mario Kart tournament to, skateboarding downhill to tying in God’s timeless Word with the fleeting relevance of the latest viral video or trend. If he’s not hosting a Sunday morning service or running Wednesday night Youth Group or wearing a panda head, he’s probably playing golf or cheering on the Atlanta United soccer team.
Kyle served as a Student Intern for two summers at East Win and then in 2020 he was asked to be our full-time Interim Student Minister while he finished his Senior year of college at Johnson University. In the Fall of 2020, Kyle was asked to become the full-time Student Minister. In 2022, Kyle got married to Bella Malone who is an Engineer at Milwaukee tools.
Alex Hernandez
Worship Coordinator
Alex Hernandez became our part-time Worship Coordinator in August of 2023. He came to the United States with his wife, Elisa and he is here on a student visa attending Mid-South Christian College. They are expecting their first baby in February, 2024.
LAURIE HEATH
Children's Director
You can probably find Laurie Heath greeting each of her students with a warm hug or high five as they step into the aptly named Kidz Town. When she’s not manning craft time or teaching through a Bible story, she enjoys spending time with her husband Jimmie and their three children – Karleigh, Marissa, and DJ. (Either that, or FaceTiming with her grandchildren!) What Laurie loves the most about Oak Lane is watching children get excited as they grow closer to God – something she’s been able to witness since her start in 1999. Ever since then, Laurie has been dedicated to letting every child who walks through our doors know just how much God loves them, and why they should love Him too!
GUILLERMO MARTINEZ
Iglesia Cristiana Minister
Guillermo spends his time reaching out and ministering to the Hispanic community of the Memphis area. If he’s not busy translating back and forth between English and Spanish, then he’s probably deep in preparation for Oak Lane’s Sunday afternoon service –completely in Spanish! Either that, or spending time with his wife Melissa and their two children – Ariadna and Yedi. What Guillermo loves the most about being at Oak Lane is the chance to share God’s Word to a community which he cares deeply for, and who longs to hear it in their language. He’s been doing this since his start in 2016. Guillermo works hard to let his community know that there is a space that welcomes you no matter who you are or how you look – but treats you lovingly, just as God would.
JOY BELL
Office Administrator
Joy Bell runs the show! Believe it or not, her time isn’t just spent deciphering Jeff’s handwriting. You can find her doing anything from repairing a stubborn printer to designing our Sunday morning graphics! If she’s not holding the church staff together, then she’s probably spending time with her family – her husband Tim, her son and daughter-in-law, Nathan and Patti, her daughter and son-in-law, Shelby and Justin, and her 4 grandchildren, George, Allen, Shiloh and Sawyer. Since joining the team in 2001, Joy’s work behind-the-scenes has been priceless and gone a long way towards ensuring that everyone’s experience at Oak Lane is positive and memorable.