MEET OUR STAFF AT MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH

MEET THE PASTOR

Drew Hill was called as the sixth pastor of Memorial Baptist Church on April 15, 2012. Drew holds a Doctor of Ministry degree and a Masters of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and also studied Old Testament archaeology at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Drew has taught at two Baptist seminaries in Ukraine and has been involved in mission work in Canada, South Africa, Belarus, and India. Additionally, he has led various Bible study field trips to Greece, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, and Israel. Before coming to Memorial, Drew served as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Sedalia, Missouri for fourteen years.

 

Born in Maryville, Missouri, Drew is the eighth child of a Baptist pastor. He came to faith in Christ at the age of nine and was called to ministry when he was sixteen. He and his wife, Suzanne, have been married for 42 years and have three grown children - Sam, Jake and Rebecca. Drew is a big sports fan and enjoys writing, chess, photography, playing guitar, and American history. He loves being a tour guide for friends and family who visit the DC area.

A MESSAGE FROM DREW

"I find real joy and fulfillment in serving as a pastor. Memorial is such a wonderful community of faith, all kinds of people coming together for the journey of faith. I love the friendly, welcoming spirit of our people and the freedom we have to be ourselves and to ask our own questions without being judged or condemned. No one stands alone around here. We are committed to making this journey together. I hope you will come along."

MEET THE DEACONS

2023 - 2024

The deacons of Memorial Baptist Church are commited to serving the church body. They make calls, visit and pray for God's people.

RANDY

HANSEN

To Be Filled

JOSH

BOWLEN

CHARLOTTE

BENJAMIN

HAP

TRICE

BRYAN 

BUNTING

BIL

WODATCH

LISA 

DAVENPORT

SEAN

STEVENS

TRENT

BRADBERRY

ANDY

SELLHORN

BROOKE HOLLOWAY BLAKE

ASSOCIATE PASTOR OF YOUTH & MEDIA

Brooke joined the pastoral staff in April of 2013 and enjoys walking alongside the people of Memorial. Brooke earned a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies from Howard Payne University and a Masters of Divinity from George W. Truett Seminary. She is thankful for her ordination from Calvary Baptist Church in Waco, TX. Previously Brooke had the gift of serving at Central Baptist Church in Marshall, TX. Brooke is married to Jason and they have a delightful son named Makai. Brooke is eager to explore the ways we can share the love of Christ with those around us in Arlington, surrounding areas, and the world. One of her favorite quotes is from Pierre Teilhard de Chardin: “Above all trust in the slow work of God.”  Indeed, God is at work in our midst... her prayer is that we may be alert in order that we continue to become people grounded in the love of God--loving God and loving people.

Holly Shockey

 MINISTER OF MUSIC

A native of Potomac, Md., Holly Shockey grew up performing in musicals and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University. Holly spent a number of years performing in local theatre, performing such roles as Maria from West Side Story, Christine in Phantom of The Opera, Sister Leo in Nunsense, and Julie Jordan from Carousel, to name a few.

 

A 20 year Veteran from The United States Army Band, highlights of her career include: first female soloist in the 1996 Tattoo in Edinburgh, Scotland, viewed by millions around the world; White House for President Ford’s 90th Birthday celebration where both Senior Bush’s as well as Junior, was in attendance including most of the White House Cabinet; Soloist for Norwegian Tattoo a few years ago and a Mideast Tour performing for troops in Afghanistan and Kuwait; and Singing backup for Kenny Rogers, Tom Jones, Martina Mcbride, Will Smith, Don Mclean, Usher, Bono, Foreigner, Kathy Mattea, Wayne Newton, Kenny Loggins, Sylvia McNair and Dolly Parton.

 

Holly has had much experience teaching children and conducting them. She created the company GleeclubLLC, which she owned and operated for about eight years, all the way up until the pandemic forced the doors to close. . The focus of the company was helping children to gain confidence thru performance. It was an afterschool enrichment endeavor. Also, during this time, Holly conducted an Allstate choir in Baltimore with high school students from all over Maryland.

 

Currently, Holly is lead soprano with the group, Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet, a “Manhattan Transfer” like quartet. Uptown performed a couple years ago in Nantes, France for the Nuit du Jazz Festival. A full biography of her group can be found here: www.uptownvocaljazz.com.

 

Holly has been teaching voice and performing locally for over 30 years and is thrilled to be launching her new voice studio located conveniently in Bailey’s Crossroads in Falls Church, VA. Holly specializes in voice technique, song selections for auditions, coaching for Musical Theatre repertoire and more. Holly loves bringing out confidence in her students through nurturing their inner talents that are specific to them.

BILL JOHNSON

ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Bill helps out in many ways throughout the life of Memorial Baptist Church. He regularly teaches in adult education, plays guitar and sings with the LifeLine worship team, sings in the adult choir, leads in our monthly PATHFORWARD meal preparations, and has been seen taking a few (thousand) pictures. Bill also lives out his gifts and call at his full-time job in the community. A graduate of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in San Francisco, Bill and his family initially came to Memorial in 1992 as associate pastor, with music and education as his primary focuses.

NATALIE FRANKE

CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR

Natalie was called to join the Memorial Baptist Church community after taking some time away from the workforce to be home with her three daughters.  Previous to being a full time mom, she served as the assistant manager at PNC Bank within Greenspring Retirement Community and the Business Office Manager of the Assisted Living, Long-Term Care, and Rehab facility of Greenspring Retirement Community.  As a committed member of Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in Burke, VA she feels that working in a community of Christians doing finance work was where God was calling her to be at this time.  She resides in Fairfax County with her husband and three daughters.  In her spare time, she enjoys being outside and playing her cello for her own church and other events.

RYAN HUBER

CHILDREN'S MINISTER

Ryan began his adventure as Children's Minister here at Memorial on February 1, 2020. Ryan earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Arcadia University in Glenside, PA in 2013. Ryan was born and raised in Reading, PA and is a die hard Philadelphia sports fan. After college, he moved to the Arlington area and has worked in various teaching positions, working with children between the ages of 3 to 7 years old. 

 

In the past few years, Ryan felt the Lord pressing on his heart and with a renewed faith in Jesus to extend his teaching outside of the classroom to a church setting as well. Ryan's goal is to facilitate meaningful conversations and authentic activities for children of Memorial to gain a better understanding of their faith and God's unwavering love. 

 

One of Ryan's favorite quotes is, "I have one life and one chance to make it count for something. My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try and make a difference." Jimmy Carter

JESSICA BREWER

CHILDREN'S CHOIR DIRECTOR

Jessica directs Joyful Noise Children's Choir. She began attending Memorial Baptist Church in 2005 and has been directing the choir since 2012.

RUBEN HERNANDEZ

CARETAKER

Ruben is a critical part of life and work at Memorial Baptist Church. In addition to his outstanding engineering and maintenance skills, he is a man of great character and integrity. We are privileged that he and his lovely family -- wife Rocio and children Yessennia, Santiago, and Josué -- make Memorial Baptist their church home.

NANCY DONNELLA

EVENTS COORDINATOR

Nancy is proudly serving with our staff as a part-time events coordinator to support the work and mission of Memorial Baptist. Nancy is a long-time church member having served in various capacities throughout the years. Nancy is married to Frank Donnella and both are wonderful contributors to the life of Memorial Baptist Church.

ISABEL BALTAZAR

CHILDCARE STAFF

Isabel has been serving at Memorial for many years, caring for our children in the nursery. 

KENT WASHBURN

ORGANIST/CHOIR ACCOMPANIST

Kent is a talented musician and organist who joined our staff part-time in February of 2013. Kent accompanies the choir on Wednesday evenings during their rehearsals and also leads us on the organ Sunday mornings during the 11am service.

TONY NALKER

PIANIST

Tony performs widely in Washington, D.C., currently serving as jazz pianist with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra Pops.  From 1989-2016 Tony was the pianist of the premiere jazz ensemble of the U.S. Army, the Army Blues, and served as the group's enlisted leader.  Nalker played for the highest levels of the U.S. govenment and military and performed on USO tours to Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as State Department sponsored musical diplomacy tours to Russia, Kenya, and Ethiopia.