MEET OUR STAFF

Lead Pastor

Ronnie Hopkins

Pastor Ronnie is all about people! He’s got an unwavering passion for spreading the love of Jesus Christ far and wide. He’s not just a preacher; he’s a friend to anyone he meets and always ready to lend a helping hand. As John 3:30 puts it, “He must increase, I must decrease,” Pastor Ronnie lives by this mantra, making sure that when you encounter him, you see Jesus above all else.

 

But that’s not all there is to him; he’s also a family man. Pastor Ronnie is married to his best friend, Kaitlyn Hopkins, and they’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child. With these exciting times ahead, Pastor Ronnie’s journey is a testament to his unwavering commitment to faith, family, and friendship.

Kid City Coordinator 

Kaitlyn Hopkins

Kaitlyn is filled with joy when she hears the laughter of the little ones running around our KidCity classrooms. She has a passion for creating a safe space for the children of Springfield Baptist Church to learn about Jesus and have fun in the process. Kaitlyn has been married to the love of her life Pastor Ronnie Hopkins for 3 years and they are looking forward to the arrival of their first child together. She truly loves Jesus and embraces the ability to teach about that love to the children that she has the opportunity to serve through KidCity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Assistant

Larissa Wenger

 

Larissa has been a part of SBC since 2021, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a heart full of compassion. Graduating in 2015 with a degree in business management/human resources, she discovered her passion for working with people and aiding others on their journeys.

When you step into our office, you’re sure to be greeted by Larissa’s infectious smile, a testament to her genuine love for what she does. Her work not only fulfills her professionally but has also deepened her relationship with Jesus.

Larissa is a devoted mother to two wonderful children. She finds joy in cheering them on at their sporting and school events. She also enjoys taking family trips, making  memories, and shopping.

Elder

Rick Reynolds

Hi, I’m Rick Reynolds, and I have the privilege of being an Elder at SBC Akron. I also teach the Adult Sunday School class each Sunday morning and help teach the Wednesday night Bible Study about once a month. God has given me a real desire to study His Word, and I love sharing those lessons with others.

 

My family and I were missionaries in Africa for eight years, which gives us a different perspective on life in general and the application of Biblical principles in particular. Serving our Lord and Savior at SBC Akron is an honor.

Hospitality Director

Monica Mason

Monica has been a member SBC for many years and has served in various capacities.

She has a passion to help others and is often one of the first people you will meet when you visit us. You can typically find Monica working at our Connect Center ready to answer questions and helping guests discover how they can get plugged in with SBC.

 

 

 

 

 

Audio Video coordinator

Parker Mason

Parker has been attending SBC his entire life and his dedication to the Lord has led him to serve in his church as God commands. Everything our church sees and hears on screen and on stage is directed by Parker, as he is in charge of our Audio/Visual Tech Team. He collaborates with our pastor, media director, missions director, and so many more to make sure SBC can present all of the amazing things we have to offer every single week.

Interm Kids City Directer

Kristin Mason

Armed with degrees in Early Childhood and Special Education. Kristin draws from her role as a Special Education Preschool teacher and brings a wealth of knowledge from her experience working with children ages 2 to 18 years old.

 

Having found a spiritual home at SBC upon meeting her now husband 13 years ago, Kristin is passionate about nurturing children’s spiritual growth through meaningful experiences and is committed to empowering young hearts to share their faith within our church and community. She cherishes family time, enjoys golfing and shares a home with her loving husband and their three fur babies: Hollie, McKenna and Stella. If you ever want to get together over a piece of red velvet cake, or a Target run….. I’m your girl!!

Missions Director

Carol Reynolds

Hi, I am Carol Reynolds and I love serving the Lord by being the Mission Director at SBC. Since I was a little girl, I always enjoyed meeting missionaries that came to my church. My family and I served as missionaries for 12 years and missions has never left my heart. I was excited when I was able to serve the Lord as Mission Director at SBC. It is such a privilege to meet and pray for the different missions and missionaries that we serve. Our Lord will bless a church that supports and prays for missionaries and local missions.

 

My husband and I will be married for 50 years in January, 2024. We have 2 daughters and 2 sons-in-law and 9 grandchildren on earth and 4 in heaven. I grew up in Ohio and went to Springfield Schools and have always been an Ohio State Football Fan!

Media Director

Ashley Gradyan

 

Hey there! I’m Ashley, your neighborhood Media Director at SBC. My journey in media ministry has been a fulfilling one, driven by the belief that every pixel, every frame, and every post can inspire faith and foster a sense of community. I am blessed to be part of a church family that values innovation and embraces the digital age while staying rooted in the timeless teachings of Jesus Christ.

 

Outside of the church walls, you’ll often find me with a camera and coffee in hand, capturing love stories in our community, or brainstorming creative ideas for our next media project. I am continually inspired by the faith and dedication of our congregation, and Leadership team and I am honored to play a role in sharing the gospel through the lens of modern media.

 

I’m not just passionate about crafting captivating content for our faith community; I’m also head over heels in love with my very best friend, Ryan, and I’m a proud mom to my favorite human, Mia. Let’s connect and share the joy of faith, family, and a good slice of pizza!