We are people, just like you, who have experienced life change through Jesus and want to hold open the door for others to experience Him too. To see people so changed by God that it transforms the way they love others, serve others, and worship God.
Who We Are
Our Values
Every seat has a name, every name has a story, and every story matters to God.
Your story is a gift from God that He can use to draw other people to Jesus. When someone tells their story, God uses that to communicate to other people that if He can do it in their life, He can do it in anyone’s life.
Worship an hour, circle an hour, and serve an hour.
People have a limited amount of time, so we make the most of every opportunity. When you worship in community, do life with people, and serve with passion, life change happens.
The family should be built up and not undercut.
Whatever your family looks like we’re here for you. Whether you’re single, a couple, raising kids, or an empty nester we want to walk alongside you in your faith journey.
Life change happens when we get out of rows and into circles.
We know the value of community and work to create an environment where you can be real about where you are in life.
We never want to become irrelevant to a culture that needs to know Jesus.
This is an environment of grace that shows your neighbor, friend, co-worker, or a family member who Jesus is.
Who We Are
Our Team
JEFF JAMES
LEAD PASTOR
Jeff is a graduate of Mississippi College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to coming to Green Valley as Lead Pastor in July 2011, Jeff served for 20 years as the Lead Pastor for multiple churches in Mississippi. Jeff and his wife, Jo Ellen, have two children.
COLTON TAYLOR
STUDENT PASTOR
Colton joined the Green Valley staff in February of 2023 as Student Pastor. He is a graduate of University of Mobile and Beeson Divinity School. Colton has served in student ministry since 2014 in Mobile, Birmingham, and Chelsea, AL. He and his wife Sydni have two children.
NANCY REEVES
FINANCIAL MANAGER
Nancy graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Public Accounting and worked for Ernst and Young before having children. She also has 18 years of experience in church financial work. Nancy and her husband Randall have been a part of the Green Valley family for many years. They have 3 daughters and 2 sons.
BRANDON YOPP
ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Brandon is a graduate of Jacksonville State University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Before he and his wife Bethany joined the Green Valley family in 2020, he previously served on staff at Westside Baptist Church in Jacksonville, AL, Mt. Vernon Church in Columbus, MS and Gateway Baptist Church in Irmo, SC. Brandon provides leadership to our Adult Life Groups. He and his wife, Bethany, have two children.
AMY PHIFER
PRESCHOOL MINISTER
Although Amy has been a member at Green Valley for many years, she joined the staff in April 2012 as Director of Preschool Ministries. Amy grew up in the Birmingham area and graduated from the University of Montevallo with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She and her husband Trent have three children.
SAMANTHA MITCHELL
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Samantha (Sam) joined the Green Valley staff in July 2023 as Administrative Assistant. She is a graduate of San Diego State University and Point Loma Nazarene University with professional experience in customer service, events and travel management. Sam provides support to Green Valley’s staff, members and guests by serving as a first point of contact for vendors and visitors, managing the office, facilitating onsite events and assisting various ministries. She and her husband, Danny, grew up in California but most recently moved to Alabama from Vienna, Austria with their dog.
ERIC DAVIS
FAMILY AND MISSIONS PASTOR
Eric joined the Green Valley staff in January 2022 as Family and Missions Pastor. He is a graduate of University of Southern Indiana and Dallas Theological Seminary and has served in churches in Texas and Mississippi. Eric and his wife Julie have two children.
JO ELLEN JAMES
DIRECTOR OF MINISTRY EXPERIENCE & COMMUNICATION
Jo Ellen graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in communication/public relations. In her role, she collaborates with the staff for visioning worship services and ministry events. Jo Ellen leads in ensuring experiences communicate the vision of Green Valley “to create an environment that exceeds expectations that leads to life change.” She coordinates guest communication and enjoys walking with others as they take next steps in their faith journey. She is passionate about multigenerational women connecting with each other and leads the Flourish Women’s Ministry. Jo Ellen and her husband, Jeff, have two children.
BLAKE GOODWIN
FACILITIES
MASON ALDRIDGE
WORSHIP PASTOR
Before Mason and his wife Caitlin joined the Green Valley family in 2020, he served as the Creative Arts Pastor at Meadowbrook Baptist Church in Gadsden, AL and Worship Pastor at Whorton Bend Baptist Church. Mason also is a part of a worship band, The Theikos Exchange, that leads worship for children and student events.
AUSTIN MARCUM
CHILDREN’S PASTOR
Austin joined the Green Valley staff in June of 2023 as Children’s Pastor. He is a graduate of The University of Alabama and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Austin and his wife, Kathryn, grew up in the Birmingham area and has served in children’s ministry at First Baptist Church Trussville and Shades Mountain Baptist Church.
DANIELLE EVANS
FACILITIES
Who We are
Purpose & Passion
Our Purpose
To show people who Jesus is.
We are empowered by the Great Commission to show the world who Jesus is. It’s simple really. We are people who have experienced life change through Jesus and want to hold open the door for others to experience Him too.
We believe Jesus is the greatest example of selfless service. We create environments through serving where people feel welcomed, accepted, and loved. In everything we do, all our ideas, programs, and events we want to show people Jesus.
Matthew 28:19 | John 14:6 | Matthew 22:37-40 | Acts 13:38-39
Our Passion
To be a church where all people experience life change.
We want to see people so changed by God from the inside out that it affects the way they love others, serve others, and worship God. We love sharing and celebrating stories of life change.