If you are like us, you spend a fair amount of time confused, worried, and frustrated about life. Bring all of it with you because we believe God cares about it all! Even better, through Christ, he's helping us discover truth, peace, grace, and joy.

staff

who we are

beliefs

what we believe

location

where we are

atmosphere

what to expect

Church Administrator

Jessica Anderson is the church administrator at Restoration Southside. She does a little bit of everything related to Sunday morning operations, and her favorite part of the job is supporting the rest of the staff. She grew up in Saint Louis, Missouri and now lives in Saint Elmo with her husband, Alex and their three energetic boys. When she's not working, you can find her playing with her kids, exercising or organizing things.

Favorite Restaurant: Alleia

Nursery Coordinator

Dabney Brock is the Nursery Coordinator at Restoration Southside. She has an elementary education background and has a passion for serving and teaching young children. Dabney grew up in Nashville, met her best friend and husband at college, and they have now planted roots in Chattanooga with their two children. In her free time, Dabney enjoys running, being outside, and spending time with her family. 

Favorite Restaurant: Riverstreet Deli

Digital Media Coordinator

Kyle is married to Jessica and together they have a little girl Leah. Kyle has been a Chattanooga transplant since 2014 and started running the media team in 2020. He loves serving and sharing stories through video. When not working on all things Restoration (website, social media, livestream) he runs a video production company. Kyle and Jess have found a home in Red Bank and love to open it up to others.

Favorite Restaurant: Monday’s it is River Street Deli (Stromboli) and every other day is Alleia

Director of Children’s Ministry

Originally from Fort Myers, FL, Schuyler has an Elementary Education degree. She has a background working with children of various learning and developmental abilities and loves finding creative, fun, and developmentally appropriate ways to lead Children’s Ministry! Outside of teaching, Schuyler enjoys reading (and re-reading her favorite books), going to group exercise classes at the Downtown YMCA, and spending time with her family. She is married to Joseph Franks with a sweet baby boy due in October. 

Favorite Restaurant: Stir  

Co-Director of Youth Ministry

Joey Fryar serves as the Co-Director of Student Ministries. He has called Chattanooga home his whole life, and currently resides in Red Bank with his wife Marisa. He has a degree in STEM Education: Mathematics from UTC, which is a fancy way of saying he has a mathematics degree and a 6-12th grade teaching certification. His favorite things to do are support any sports team for the University of Tennessee, play golf, go to the movies, and spend time with his family and friends.

Favorite restaurant: Tremont Tavern.

Pastor of Formation

Mark is the Pastor of Formation at Restoration Southside, where he focuses on the spiritual formation of our community, and oversees our Next Generation ministry.  He grew up in Chattanooga and loves running and biking on the surrounding trails.  Mark and his wife Holley have two children, Jude and Evie.  

Favorite restaurant: Oddstory

Facility Manager

Brent is the Facility Manager at Restoration Southside where he takes care of all things building related. If you don’t see Brent around on Sunday’s, you can find him in the back of Main Street Meats working on the fresh steak cuts or biking on a trail around town. He’s been a Chattanoogan for 10 years.

Favorite Restaurant: Main Street Meats

Director of Missional Living

Ben is the Director of Missional Living at Restoration Southside where he cultivates a missional ethos in our community and leads the men's ministry. Ben is a native Nashvillean and is married the best thing from Florida, Anne Charlotte, who works in the business sector. They love to spend their time exploring the city with their daughter, Teddie, son Fox, and wiley hound dog, June.

Favorite Restaurant: Clyde's

Director of Community

Marney Johnston is the Director of Community, which means she is happy to be a resource for care and connection within the church. Originally from Alabama, Chattanooga has been home for different seasons and is glad to call it home again. Don't hesitate to contact Marney if you'd like to know more about Restoration Southside, how to be involved or get plugged in!

Favorite restaurant: She doesn't believe in favorites. Everyone has something to give.

Co-Director of Youth Ministry

As the Co-Director of Youth Ministries, Lily Sparks serves the middle and high school students of Restoration. A Chattanooga native and Covenant grad (with a degree in sociology and a concentration in social work), Lily loves hanging out with her two younger brothers, listening to music, reading, and spending time with friends. Lily's also a morning person and is passionate in her opinion that we should remain in daylight savings time! 

Favorite Restaurant: Wooden City 

Pastor of Shepherding

Steve is the Pastor of Shepherding with a focus on caring for and assisting the elders and pastors our church. He grew up in the Southwest. He was married for 46 years, now a widower. He has 3 grown children, 4 grandchildren! Steve loves reading, study, teaching, outdoors activities like hiking and biking.

Favorite Restaurant: Hana

Hospitality and Event Coordinator

Virginia Kay (VK) Copeland is the part-time Events Coordinator for Stratton Hall / The Peyton. She’s married to her husband Morgan. When not at Restoration, she works at Clutch Recruitment, a healthcare recruitment company. Along with hiking and trying out new restaurants, VK enjoys swimming in watering holes or curling up with a good book. She also volunteers with Restoration's partner, Choices. VK is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, and cheers for the Panthers, Hurricanes, and Charlotte’s Independence teams

Favorite Restaurant: State of Confusion or Taqueria Jalisco

AV Coordinator

Clay is originally from Greenville, SC but has called Chattanooga home since early 2018. Clay is the AV Coordinator at RSC and is also a full-time freelance photographer and videographer. Clay is married to his beautiful wife, Cat, and they have 2 sons, Ward and Stetson. Some of his favorite things are Liverpool F.C., film photography, woodworking, and playing with his boys.

Favorite Restaurant: Il Primo

Director of Worship

Sammie is the Director of Worship where she oversees the creation, leadership, and administration of music and arts ministries for Restoration. Sammie fell in love with singing as a child and has been singing ever since.  Her favorite subject to rant about is how singing is for people of all types and ages (not just “good singers”). In her free time she enjoys making music with her husband Chase, working in her garden, and secretly reading Young Adult Fiction.

Favorite Restaurant: Miss G's Tortas Y Tamales

Pastoral Assistant

May Yates serves as Restoration’s Pastoral Assistant to Ben Hooper and Mark Gregory. When she’s not organizing calendars and color-coding email files, she’s enjoying Chattanooga’s outdoor scene with her family. May and her husband, Adam, are kept on their toes by their sweet daughter, Kinley, and their Basenji-mixed-with-something, Kuma. May was born in the Sunshine State, grew up in the Peach State, and now loves calling The Volunteer State home, but she still cheers for the Georgia Bulldogs! 

Favorite Restaurant: May’s answer to this regularly changes, but currently it’s India Mahal or Pizzeria Cortile

BELIEFS

GOD IS FATHER, SON & HOLY SPIRIT

Before the world or the Bible existed, God existed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three eternal persons are one God, each worthy of our worship.

THE BIBLE IS TRUE

We can only know God’s purpose and plan to restore us because of the Bible. The Bible is true because the One who gave it to us is true.

GOD RESTORES SINNERS

God sent Jesus so people like us could be restored to Him. Restoration is not a do-it-yourself project. Instead, God does all the work. This is good but humbling news we always need to hear!

THE CHURCH IS WHERE GOD RESTORES US

We believe in the importance of the church. It is God’s workshop, where he uses tools like prayer, friendship, preaching, and sacraments to mold us into his likeness.

EVERYTHING MATTERS

Relationships, work, art, money - everything matters. God doesn't just care about what we do on Sunday. He’s restoring every aspect of our lives.

ATMOSPHERE

Churches are like people, no two are exactly the same. What should you expect when you visit Restoration Southside?

CLEAR

Everything is straightforward, from the space to our worship. Our desire is to be clear to all who are trusting us with their time.

WELCOMING

We like people, a lot. Don’t worry about how you’re dressed or whether you know all the words to the songs. If you’re introverted, we’re not going to make you stand up and say anything. We think people are awesome and want to treat you like the amazing person you are.

CONVERSATIONAL

You probably have questions about the Christian faith and what it all means. Terrific. Bring them. We’re truth seekers and invite you to join us in our journey. If you have any questions about anything you hear from us or others, please email ben@restorationsouthside.org.