Pastor Josh Merrell was born and raised in a loving Christian home. When Josh was young, his father worked as an associate pastor at two churches. His mother worked as a teacher at a Christian school. Their diligence and faithful service imprinted his soul with godly desires from his earliest days. At the age of five, Bro. Josh became convicted of his sin through an object lesson at vacation Bible school and repented. With help from his dad, he trusted Christ and was baptized at Bible Baptist Church in Twin Falls, Idaho.
Through the consistent encouragement of his parents and the ardent prayers of his church family during his senior year of high school, Bro. Josh developed an intense zeal for the LORD and a love for the Bible. Church life and ministry became a consuming passion for him. Upon graduation in 1994, he moved to Oklahoma to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine from Oklahoma State University. It was there that he met Lee, whom he married in 1998. Despite being accepted to the veterinary program, his plans changed as his burden for souls and church service could not be satisfied with less than vocational ministry. After graduating from OSU with a bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Bro. Josh started over by enrolling at Heartland Baptist Bible College in Oklahoma City (from which he graduated in 2004 with a degree in pastoral theology). He simultaneously accepted a position on staff at Bible Baptist Church in Stillwater, Oklahoma, under the leadership of Wayne Hardy. For ten years, Bro. Josh served as the college and singles pastor, bus ministry coordinator, evangelism director, and more. In 2009, Bro. Josh accepted a call from South Side Baptist Church in Weatherford, Texas, to become the next senior pastor. He worked with the existing pastor for two years to ensure a smooth transition and finally assumed the leadership role in 2011. In the decade that followed, the LORD blessed the church tremendously. Scores of souls have been saved and baptized; many have been discipled and are now serving faithfully. The buildings and grounds have been dramatically renovated, yet the church has become debt-free. Pastor Merrell is a lifelong student. He loves reading, writing, and research. He holds an M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and will soon begin work on a ThM at Dallas Theological Seminary. The Merrells have three children, ages fifteen, seventeen, and twenty, and enjoy serving with them in ministry and watching them compete in all forms of athletics. They rejoice in God's goodness and willingness to use them in His service and recognize that to Christ belongs all the glory.
Through the consistent encouragement of his parents and the ardent prayers of his church family during his senior year of high school, Bro. Josh developed an intense zeal for the LORD and a love for the Bible. Church life and ministry became a consuming passion for him. Upon graduation in 1994, he moved to Oklahoma to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine from Oklahoma State University. It was there that he met Lee, whom he married in 1998. Despite being accepted to the veterinary program, his plans changed as his burden for souls and church service could not be satisfied with less than vocational ministry. After graduating from OSU with a bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Bro. Josh started over by enrolling at Heartland Baptist Bible College in Oklahoma City (from which he graduated in 2004 with a degree in pastoral theology). He simultaneously accepted a position on staff at Bible Baptist Church in Stillwater, Oklahoma, under the leadership of Wayne Hardy. For ten years, Bro. Josh served as the college and singles pastor, bus ministry coordinator, evangelism director, and more. In 2009, Bro. Josh accepted a call from South Side Baptist Church in Weatherford, Texas, to become the next senior pastor. He worked with the existing pastor for two years to ensure a smooth transition and finally assumed the leadership role in 2011. In the decade that followed, the LORD blessed the church tremendously. Scores of souls have been saved and baptized; many have been discipled and are now serving faithfully. The buildings and grounds have been dramatically renovated, yet the church has become debt-free. Pastor Merrell is a lifelong student. He loves reading, writing, and research. He holds an M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and will soon begin work on a ThM at Dallas Theological Seminary. The Merrells have three children, ages fifteen, seventeen, and twenty, and enjoy serving with them in ministry and watching them compete in all forms of athletics. They rejoice in God's goodness and willingness to use them in His service and recognize that to Christ belongs all the glory.
Jed grew up in Washington State, where he was blessed to be raised in a pastor's home. He accepted Christ at the age of eleven while attending a summer camp. In 2012, Jed moved to Oklahoma City to attend Bible college and graduated with a bachelor's degree in music. During his time in college, he met Grace, the love of his life, and they got married in May of 2016. They relocated to Weatherford, TX to join the staff at South Side in June of 2016. Since then, they have been blessed with four wonderful children.
Carel was born and raised in South Africa. He was initially influenced by Christianity there. As an adult, he moved to the Texas panhandle in 2010 for work and opportunity. Shortly after his move, he connected with a local Baptist church. While traveling with the young people to summer camp, he realized his religious but lost condition and trusted Christ. Following his salvation, he enrolled at Heartland Baptist Bible College in Oklahoma City. He graduated with a B.A. in Pastoral Studies and an M.A. in Ministry. It was at college where he met his wife, Melissa. Together, they now have four young children. Carel enjoys spending time outdoors, studying the Bible, and meeting people from all walks of life.
Deacons
JOE HENDERSON
Bro. Joe was saved on July 7th, 1971, at Faith Baptist Church in Brownwood, TX. He has been faithful to church ever since. His first position of service was teaching the toddler boys with his wife, Zee. They served together in that role for six years. Next, they moved to the 2nd-grade boys, served for two years, and then moved to adult classes. In the end, Bro. Joe taught the Bible to virtually every class for over 35 years, from the toddlers to the silver saints. He has been honored to serve as a deacon under three pastors: Bro. Jerry Miller, Bro. John Denson and Bro. Josh Merrell.
MIKE MAUNEY
A lifelong resident of Parker County, Bro. Mike accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1989. He and his wife Linda have been faithful members of South Side Baptist since 2012. They were drawn to the church partly because of its use of the King James Bible for teaching and preaching. Other factors included the church’s emphasis on the inerrancy and sufficiency of Scripture and an evident reverence for God’s House reflected in music and dress. Bro. Mauney loves missions. Two of the greatest opportunities of his life were a trip to Israel and a mission trip to Africa. He also is a passionate soul winner. His favorite verse is John 3:16, and he urges every Christian to share its truth with everyone they meet.
VAUGHN WATKINS
Vaughn led his family to SSBC in 2006. They were immediately drawn to the genuine love and friendliness of the church family and have continued to feel that warmth over the years. Throughout their time at South Side, the church has offered a firm foundation for their family. The solid Bible doctrine and conservative teaching have equipped them to live with an eternal perspective and to prioritize their life around spiritual goals. He and his wife Kim have been married since 1985. They have three grown children and four grandchildren, and they are thankful for SSBC’s role in each of their lives.
CAREL STROH
Carel was born and raised in South Africa. He was initially influenced by Christianity there. As an adult, he moved to the Texas panhandle in 2010 for work and opportunity. Shortly after his move, he connected with a local Baptist church. While traveling with the young people to summer camp, he realized his religious but lost condition and trusted Christ. Following his salvation, he enrolled at Heartland Baptist Bible College in Oklahoma City. He graduated with a B.A. in Pastoral Studies and an M.A. in Ministry. It was at college where he met his wife, Melissa. Together, they now have four young children. Carel enjoys spending time outdoors, studying the Bible, and meeting people from all walks of life.
Officers
TREASURER:
Dan Wooldridge
ASST. TREASURER:
Earl Bolling
CHURCH CLERK:
Andrea Berg
