SNYDER MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH - Key Persons
Anastasia Trevino has been playing the French horn for eleven years. She enjoys performing with her brass quintet at work and playing different concert band performances throughout the year. Her favorite performances in school have been The Nutcracker, the Saint-Saens Symphony No. 3: "Organ Symphony" tour, multiple wind quintet performances with the Anemos Quintet, and film score recordings for the UNCSA film school. Anastasia has played in the Fayetteville Symphonic Band, Eastern Regional Orchestra, Fayetteville International Youth Symphony Orchestra and alongside the Carolina Philharmonic. She has also performed in master classes taught by Radovan Vlatkovic, Misty Tolle, Michelle Baker, and Scott Strong. Her primary teachers have included Dr. Larry Wells, David Jolley and Dr. Maria Serkin. Last summer she enjoyed spending time at the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival where she performed in an orchestra, opera, wind quartet and brass ensemble. When Anastasia is not performing, she enjoys reading, competitive rock climbing and playing with her dogs.
Job Titles:
- 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.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant at Snyder Music Academy
Ashlee is a graduate of Methodist University, who received a B.M. in percussion performance under the direction of Dr. Daniel McCloud. She enjoys performing and teaching, and is dedicated to finding ways to improve her approach to music in as many ways as possible. Ashlee has several years of experience teaching, both in group settings and individually, and her passion for percussion started with listening to her mother play drum set along to music on the radio. Since then, she has participated in several band and orchestral ensembles, including the Fayetteville Symphonic Band, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, Haymount UMC's traditional worship orchestra, and Snyder MBC's very own worship orchestra. Ashlee was recently awarded the Willis C Gates Music Award for Excellence in Performance by the music faculty at Methodist University.
Ashlee's teaching experience includes teaching school-aged children in private lessons, as well as being the Percussion Instructor at Midway High School for several years. She has experience teaching orchestral percussion, marching percussion, and drum set. She enjoys helping her students explore the possibilities with rhythm, as well as introducing them to instruments they may have never encountered.
Ashlee is also the Administrative Assistant at Snyder Music Academy. She is reachable in the business office by phone or email, which are listed on the "About Us" page, and she may also be found in the church Main Office.
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.
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.
A native of Alpine, Utah, Connor is currently a rising Senior at Campbell University studying organ performance with Dr. Daniel Hester. Connor's love of the organ began at the age of 9 after hearing a Christmas organ solo at a Christmas Concert by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Since that time he's had the great honor of studying with the late Dr. Parley Belnap, a prominent professor of organ at Brigham Young University; Dr. Linda Margetts, a current organist of the Tabernacle Choir; Dr. Clay Christiansen, who recently retired from playing for the Tabernacle Choir; and most recently Dr. Daniel Hester who is the professor of organ at Campbell University.
Connor loves introducing others to the organ and making such a magnificent instrument more approachable to those that may not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy it. He currently serves as Sub-Dean for the Fayetteville Sandhills Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and as organist at Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Dunn, NC.
When Connor isn't playing the organ he enjoys spending time with friends, managing the operation of a simulator at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center in Utah, and sipping Fresca while sitting in a rocking chair on his back porch enjoying the beauty North Carolina has to offer.
Job Titles:
- Director of Snyder Music Academy
- 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.
Donna Griffin Davenport, Director of Snyder Music Academy, is a native of Goldsboro, North Carolina. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Meredith College, and her Master of Arts degree in Piano Pedagogy from The Ohio State University. Donna's career has included: Director of Music & Worship Arts and/or Organist for churches in North Carolina, Indiana, and Texas; freelance accompanist for choral festivals, concerts, musicals, and instrumental concerts; public and private school music educator; director of musical drama camps and productions; class piano instructor; private piano teacher. Donna pursues the use of music as a source of outreach and ministry. She is currently serving as Organist and Associate Minister of Music for Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, and as Director of Snyder Music Academy. She is also accompanist for Cumberland Choral Arts and Cross Creek Chorale. Donna and her husband Russ live in Fayetteville, and have six children.
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.
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!!
Since 2012, Heather Arnold has lived in Fayetteville, NC., where she is currently the bassoon instructor at Methodist University & UNC at Pembroke. She also teaches private bassoon lessons to students in grades 6-12 at schools throughout the area. She plays in the Snyder Church Orchestra, is a member of the Fay-Allegro wind quintet, and is a free-lance performer in Fayetteville and Southern Pines.
Before moving to Fayetteville, Heather earned both her Master's degree and Graduate Performance Diploma in bassoon performance from Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, MD. She studied with Linda Harwell (National Symphony). Heather also earned her Bachelor of Music degree and Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland at College Park. Throughout her studies, she played second bassoon in the National Philharmonic Orchestra and Gettysburg Symphony Orchestra, and was an active free-lance performer in Maryland, D.C., and Virginia.
Since 2000, Heather has been making Baroque and Contra bassoon reeds for James Kopp Reeds in Oregon. She also enjoys teaching the art of reed-making to her current students.
Job Titles:
- 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.
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.
Job Titles:
- 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.
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.
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.
Job Titles:
- 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.
Job Titles:
- Member of Snyder
- 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!
Job Titles:
- Food Service Assistant
- Member of the Support Staff
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.
Job Titles:
- Director of Facility Operations
- Member of SMBC
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.
Job Titles:
- 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.
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.
Job Titles:
- 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.
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!