Mark Simpson
Lead Pastor
Mark is the Lead Pastor for SCC. He is truly blessed to be married to his wife Abby, who works as a therapist with children and families. Mark and Abby have two daughters, Stella and Lillian, and a son, Ben.
Mark discovered his calling to the ministry while obtaining his Master of Divinity at Oral Roberts University. With more than 15 years of ministry experience, Mark loves working with people of all ages and showing them the love of God. He helped to launch a college ministry at the University of Central Oklahoma, where he had the opportunity to oversee a student-led worship experience, and Mark and Abby directed a children’s ministry program at a local Tulsa church for four years before making SCC their home.
After joining the church, Mark became the Youth Pastor for SCC for 10 years before accepting the Lead Pastor position.
Mark feels blessed have the opportunity to lead the church. He wants the church to be inspired to truly know God as a Father who cannot be out loved.
Mark discovered his calling to the ministry while obtaining his Master of Divinity at Oral Roberts University. With more than 15 years of ministry experience, Mark loves working with people of all ages and showing them the love of God. He helped to launch a college ministry at the University of Central Oklahoma, where he had the opportunity to oversee a student-led worship experience, and Mark and Abby directed a children’s ministry program at a local Tulsa church for four years before making SCC their home.
After joining the church, Mark became the Youth Pastor for SCC for 10 years before accepting the Lead Pastor position.
Mark feels blessed have the opportunity to lead the church. He wants the church to be inspired to truly know God as a Father who cannot be out loved.
Joel Walehwa
Worship Pastor / Elder
Joel is the Worship Team Lead at South Community Church. Joel is married to his wife Tara, who is an RN at one of the local ICUs, and they have been happily married since 2007. They have a son named Mikaiah (Kai for short) and a daughter named Mia.
Joel began playing drums at St. James Church when he was 13 and was trained as a musician and worship leader by one of the best in the industry. In addition to serving on the worship team, Joel has 12 years of ministry leadership experience, working in student ministry under Kenny for six years before coming to SCC and serving in several areas of leadership over the past few years.
As the Worship Team Lead at SCC, Joel is extremely passionate about worship and creating a worship experience that will leave every person, regardless of where they are in their faith, closer to God than they were when they walked through our doors. Joel believes wholeheartedly in the vision of community at SCC and has enjoyed seeing so many lives changed through the ministry that he and his family feel so blessed to be a part of.
Joel began playing drums at St. James Church when he was 13 and was trained as a musician and worship leader by one of the best in the industry. In addition to serving on the worship team, Joel has 12 years of ministry leadership experience, working in student ministry under Kenny for six years before coming to SCC and serving in several areas of leadership over the past few years.
As the Worship Team Lead at SCC, Joel is extremely passionate about worship and creating a worship experience that will leave every person, regardless of where they are in their faith, closer to God than they were when they walked through our doors. Joel believes wholeheartedly in the vision of community at SCC and has enjoyed seeing so many lives changed through the ministry that he and his family feel so blessed to be a part of.
Aarika Pope
Administrative Assistant
Aarika is the Administrative Assistant at SCC. Aarika is married to her husband, Devin, who works for a family owned construction company. Aarika and Devin have a daughter named Sofia, and a son named Isaiah..
After making SCC their home, Aarika and Devin joined the worship team, which further connected them to the church. After their daughter was born, Aarika decided to step away from her career to focus more on raising Sofia and serving more at SCC. She has been blessed with this administrative position which allows her to do both.
Aarika feels extremely fortunate to call SCC her family.
After making SCC their home, Aarika and Devin joined the worship team, which further connected them to the church. After their daughter was born, Aarika decided to step away from her career to focus more on raising Sofia and serving more at SCC. She has been blessed with this administrative position which allows her to do both.
Aarika feels extremely fortunate to call SCC her family.
Megan Dobrinski
SouthKids / ELP Director
Megan is the SouthKIDS and Early Learning Program Directer at SCC.
Megan began attending SCC in 2012 and was drawn in by the community she felt. She states she felt at home from the moment she walked in the doors.
In 2017, she followed a calling on her life to be a missionary in Las Vegas, NV. In that role, Megan discipled college age students, led them on 2 month outreaches overseas, led a ministry to the inner-city and directed a ministry to foster & adoptive families in the Las Vegas Valley.
She enjoys spending time with her nephew chasing bugs, sitting in a coffee shop and hosting game nights with friends and family.
Megan says she is passionate about families being whole and knowing Jesus is a huge part of that. Children have so much influence in their families and having the opportunity to experience Him at a young age is important to her. She says "I am humbled at the opportunity and so excited to know and love the families of SCC."
Megan began attending SCC in 2012 and was drawn in by the community she felt. She states she felt at home from the moment she walked in the doors.
In 2017, she followed a calling on her life to be a missionary in Las Vegas, NV. In that role, Megan discipled college age students, led them on 2 month outreaches overseas, led a ministry to the inner-city and directed a ministry to foster & adoptive families in the Las Vegas Valley.
She enjoys spending time with her nephew chasing bugs, sitting in a coffee shop and hosting game nights with friends and family.
Megan says she is passionate about families being whole and knowing Jesus is a huge part of that. Children have so much influence in their families and having the opportunity to experience Him at a young age is important to her. She says "I am humbled at the opportunity and so excited to know and love the families of SCC."
Matt Dotson
Youth Pastor
Matt is the Youth Pastor for students in grades 6-12. When he is not at the church, Matt works as a stationary engineer. Matt is happily married to Angela who is a nursing professor at Tulsa University. They have been married since 2012 and together they have 2 fur babies named Lenny and Luna.
Matt and Angela attended LifeChurch for 5 years before joining SCC in 2018. They both value the community of SCC and feel blessed to be a part it.
Since joining, Matt and Angela have happily served in SouthKids, and Connect. After serving in Connect every week, Matt felt called to become the Youth Pastor in 2022.
Matt values strong relationships with the students of SCC and hopes to help the younger generations experience God's love for themselves and understand who they are through Christ.
Matt and Angela attended LifeChurch for 5 years before joining SCC in 2018. They both value the community of SCC and feel blessed to be a part it.
Since joining, Matt and Angela have happily served in SouthKids, and Connect. After serving in Connect every week, Matt felt called to become the Youth Pastor in 2022.
Matt values strong relationships with the students of SCC and hopes to help the younger generations experience God's love for themselves and understand who they are through Christ.
Baylee Alejandre
Media and Online Coordinator
Baylee is the media and online coordinator for SCC. She is married to Ivan, who works as an assistant manager for QuikTrip. Along with her position on staff, Baylee is also the preschool teacher at SCC's Early Learning Program.
Baylee and Ivan met at SCC in 2016 and have both served in various areas including the worship team, Connect, and SouthKids. Through her involvement in the church, Baylee joined the staff as the media and online Coordinator in December of 2020.
After being blessed with this position, Baylee has found a passion for outreach, and keeping our community connected through our live streamed services and social media platforms.
Baylee and Ivan met at SCC in 2016 and have both served in various areas including the worship team, Connect, and SouthKids. Through her involvement in the church, Baylee joined the staff as the media and online Coordinator in December of 2020.
After being blessed with this position, Baylee has found a passion for outreach, and keeping our community connected through our live streamed services and social media platforms.
Andrew Thornton
Elder
Andrew is an elder here at South Community Church. He is married to Nicky and they have 2 beautiful children, Avery, who was born in 2015, and Aiden, who was born in 2017. throughout the week, Andrew manages a web hosting business, while Nicky works as a customer outreach supervisor for an energy company.
On Sunday's you will find both Andrew and Nicky serving the church. Andrew leads the production team while Nicky leads the host team. Nicky is also the"Plan a visit" coordinator at the church.
Andrew grew up in a Lutheran church but began attending SCC in 2011 as him and Nicky felt drawn in by a sense of community that they had not experienced anywhere else.
Andrew decided to join the elder team in the Spring of 2023. Andrew says he wants our church to be able to provide the kind of support, community and spiritual growth for others as it has done for him and his family.
Andrew feels honored to be able to serve alongside the other elders.
Jeffrey Yates
Elder
Jeffrey (Jeff) is an elder here at South Community Church. He married Kim in 2007 and they have 3 kids; Emma, Carson, and Paisley. Jeffrey works at Siegi's Sausage factory while Kim works as the admin of Revive counseling.
Jeffrey was raised at a church in Tulsa where his family was very involved. As a teenager, Jeff was was on the youth ministry team and an usher at his church. The Yates found SCC in January 2020 and became members in the Summer of the same year. They believe SCC met them with everything they were looking for. Bible based teaching, strong kids and youth programs, and community that reminded Jeffrey of what his family had growing up.
You can find both Kim and Jeff serving in many ways including landcare, Southkids, and Host Team. They are also community group leaders.
Jeffrey became an Elder of SCC in the Spring of 2023. He states, "I want to lead the church and the families in a Godly way. I want to lead by example. I want the congregation to know that there is a team there for them. I want other people to experience what a blessing SCC can really be. I don't think all of that should fall on our Pastors and staff."
Jeff feels thankful and humbled to be called an elder at SCC. He says "I want to continue to say yes to God's calling and stretch my faith in ways I haven't even seen yet."
Michael Kropiewnicki
Elder
Michael is an elder here at South Community Church. He married his wife, Peyton in July of 2017 and have been blessed with four fur babies. Throughout the week, Krop works as a structural engineer, and Peyton is a veterinary nurse manager at a nearby vet clinic.
Michael was involved in youth groups throughout high school, and joined small groups in college, but he says SCC is the first place he has been able to call "home" and been involved in a variety of ways. Michael has been attending SCC since 2013. He chose to make SCC his home because of the community aspect. He says "I believe the core of SCC is truly committed to growing closer to God and we aren't afraid to attempt to make that happen by switching routines and service styles. The overall experience is relational, rather than religious."
Michael serves as the landcare coordinator at SCC. He served as a Connect leader for 5 years before becoming a community group leader in 2019. Michael and Peyton are always willing to serve wherever help is needed.
In November, 2021, Michael was asked to join the elder team. He stated, "I'm glad to be a part of the team and feel that I can bring a different view-point on things by being a little younger with no kids and being one of the longest tenured members at our church."
Michael is thankful for the challenges that this position brings and he is looking forward to growing his faith further as a result.
Michael was involved in youth groups throughout high school, and joined small groups in college, but he says SCC is the first place he has been able to call "home" and been involved in a variety of ways. Michael has been attending SCC since 2013. He chose to make SCC his home because of the community aspect. He says "I believe the core of SCC is truly committed to growing closer to God and we aren't afraid to attempt to make that happen by switching routines and service styles. The overall experience is relational, rather than religious."
Michael serves as the landcare coordinator at SCC. He served as a Connect leader for 5 years before becoming a community group leader in 2019. Michael and Peyton are always willing to serve wherever help is needed.
In November, 2021, Michael was asked to join the elder team. He stated, "I'm glad to be a part of the team and feel that I can bring a different view-point on things by being a little younger with no kids and being one of the longest tenured members at our church."
Michael is thankful for the challenges that this position brings and he is looking forward to growing his faith further as a result.
Manny Pacheco
Elder
Manny is an elder here at South Community Church. He has been blessed with his wife Jennifer since 2018 and they have a son named Grayson. Manny works on rental properties, and manages a nearby water store in Tulsa, while Jennifer works as a bilingual receptionist/translator. Manny has 5 grown children.
Manny has been attending church since 1981. He joined the SCC family in 2015 and became an elder in January of 2021. He chose to join the elder team because “it’s a great honor to move the gospel forward, if the Lord tarries.” He also believes his mission is to help others through the discipleship process.
Manny is the head leader of our membership classes, while Jen is in the SouthKIDS building taking care of the babies.
Manny feels grateful and blessed to be apart of and serve the SCC family.
Manny has been attending church since 1981. He joined the SCC family in 2015 and became an elder in January of 2021. He chose to join the elder team because “it’s a great honor to move the gospel forward, if the Lord tarries.” He also believes his mission is to help others through the discipleship process.
Manny is the head leader of our membership classes, while Jen is in the SouthKIDS building taking care of the babies.
Manny feels grateful and blessed to be apart of and serve the SCC family.
Kenny Davis
Founding Pastor
Kenny is the Founding Pastor at South Community Church (SCC). Kenny is married to Kristy and they have been happily married since 2003. Kenny and Kristy have two sons, Tyrus and Trey.
More than 20 years ago, Kenny followed his heart and started serving in church ministry. He started in full-time ministry in South Oklahoma City and then six years later moved to South Tulsa for another ministry opportunity. Over the years, Kenny helped build several church-wide growth programs and facilitated a number of outreach programs for the local church.
As the founding pastor at SCC, Kenny loves communicating the truth of God’s Word and creating experiences to reach the lost through genuine community. He sincerely cares about everyone and is excited about God’s plans for SCC and the impact we plan to have in South Bixby.
More than 20 years ago, Kenny followed his heart and started serving in church ministry. He started in full-time ministry in South Oklahoma City and then six years later moved to South Tulsa for another ministry opportunity. Over the years, Kenny helped build several church-wide growth programs and facilitated a number of outreach programs for the local church.
As the founding pastor at SCC, Kenny loves communicating the truth of God’s Word and creating experiences to reach the lost through genuine community. He sincerely cares about everyone and is excited about God’s plans for SCC and the impact we plan to have in South Bixby.