Meet The Staff

 

Dr. Mike Hoppe – Pastor

Since 2013, Mike has served as Lead Pastor of Stillwater Church. His ministry experience includes serving previously in youth ministry and international missions. Mike has a big heart for mobilizing the church for mission and service, and his teaching-style preaching challenges and inspires the church to live out their faith in the community and beyond. He earned degrees from Ohio Northern University (B.A.), Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Asbury Theological Seminary (D.Min.). Mike and his wife, Reed, enjoy life with their two wonderful children.

Rev. Tony Barnes – Associate Pastor & Director of Traditional Worship

Tony came on board at Stillwater Church in April of 2023, as our first ever Associate Pastor. Tony comes to us with over 30 years of ministry experience. He began in 1989, as a minister of music and has served four churches in that role. After retiring from a career in Music Education, Tony became a Local Licensed Pastor in 2020. He received a Bachelor of Arts and Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and is currently working on a Master of Divinity at Wesley Biblical Seminary. When he is not at the church, he enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife, Jennifer, and three children, Zach, Mallory and Anjennica.

Kim Whisonant – Office Manager

Kim keeps us all organized! Kim is a graduate of Auburn University and worked as a chemical engineer for ten years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. Kim has been a member of this church since 1996 and joined the staff in 2021. She is married to Chuck, and together they have two sons, Justin and Nicholas. She loves traveling, cooking, Braves baseball, and her pet Chow Chow, Ruby. 

Linda Burr – Financial Secretary

Linda oversees our financial and stewardship ministries. She loves to volunteer both inside and outside the walls of the church.

Linden Davis – Director of Early Leaning Center

Linden has years of experience serving at the Watermelon Patch in Mobile, and she studied Early Childhood Education at University of Mobile. She, along with her husband and two children, attend Stillwater Church, where she also plays and sings in the praise band.

 

Betty Moye – Director of Children’s Ministries

Sewing seeds of faith in young minds and providing opportunities for families to learn and grow together is a passion for Betty.  She served in children’s ministry for over 20 years before taking a break to help provide care for her first grandson.  After ten years and several more beautiful grandchildren, Betty rejoined the staff at Stillwater Church in November of 2023.  She and her husband, Charlie, celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2023 and love spending quality time with their children and grandchildren. Betty also works as a Real Estate Professional and is currently studying for her broker license.  

Laurie Anne Nix – Director of Contemporary Worship

Laurie Anne loves missions and leading people closer to Christ through worship. In addition to her staff role of leading in worship, she is known  throughout the Mobile region for performing with her beautiful voice and guitar. Laurie Anne has been a member of our church since 2015 and is married to Drew, who also plays in the worship band when he isn’t touring with his band, The Red Clay Strays. Together hey have a dog named Bonnie and a fat cat named Denver. 

Travis Grimes – Student Ministry Intern

My name is Travis Grimes and I am a recent graduate from the University of Mobile. I work in accounting full time and love playing music. I play guitar and saxophone, and have used this gift to help lead worship during my time at college career. I love working with and being intentional with students, and I got my passion for youth ministry after a summer working with students at FUGE camps in 2023.

John Rocker – Drummer

Rocker and his wife, Whitney, are residents of Mobile, AL. Rocker frequently plays drums for multiple groups throughout the Southeast region. We are so excited to welcome Rocker to the Stillwater Church Worship Team! 

Rebecca Reed – Traditional Pianist

Rebecca is currently working on her masters degree at the University of Mobile. We are so thankful to have her playing for us on Sunday mornings!

Emily Donaldson – Social Media Manager

Hi, I’m Emily Donaldson and I’m from Satsuma, Alabama. I am the social media manager here at Stillwater along with being one of the leaders in our VIBE ministry. Something I’m passionate about is music and expressing my love of Christ through it. I am currently a Junior and South Alabama and I hope to make social media my full time job once I graduate. 

Trae Weeks – College and Middle School Leader

Trae is a student at the University of Mobile where he’s studying to become a pastor. He leads the VIBE college ministry, which meets on Thursday nights. Trae also proudly serves our country in the Army.  He’s passionate about Jesus, Star Wars and football!