Executive Director
Jackie Allen
Jackie has been married to his wife Tonya for 33 years and has three children and three grandchildren. He is a graduated of Oklahoma Baptist University and has served as a Lead Pastor for over 30 years.
Currently, he serves as the Lead Pastor at Cross Church since 2013. From 2016 to 2018 he served two terms as the President of the Arizona Baptist Convention.
Most recently, he has been asked to serve as the part-time Executive Director for the newly formed Thrive Baptist Network. Thrive is a network of 70 plus churches in the greater Phoenix area that is committed to encouraging healthy Pastors and healthy churches.
When not serving the church, he enjoys time with family, playing golf, hunting and riding his Harley.
Brian Bowman
Associate Director
North and East Valley Tribe
Brian Bowman
Brian Bowman is founding pastor of Valley Life Church in Phoenix, where he lives with his wife, Brooke.Valley Life Church exists to make disciples and plant churches throughout the Phoenix metro area.
Associate Director
Central Valley Tribe
Jeremiah Semmler
Jeremiah Semmler was born and raised in the Valley. He has been in ministry for 20 years here in Phoenix. Jeremiah has been married to his wife Laramie for 18 years and they have 3 boys, Judah, Joel and Ezra. In 2015 Jeremiah planted CityView church in Phoenix with the desire to reach the Valley for Jesus.
Associate Director
East Valley Tribe
Chad Murrell
Chad is the lead Pastor of First Southern Baptist Church of Scottsdale.
Associate Director
Metro Tribe
Steve Hayes
Steve is a native Phoenician and has a passion to see Phoenix won for Christ. Marcia was born in Ft Worth, Texas while her parents were attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Marcia and Steve met at Grand Canyon College and courted at North Phoenix Baptist Church while active in the college department. Both received degrees at Grand Canyon College in 1974. Steve was awarded GCU’s alumni of the year for outstanding service in Christian ministry, 1986.
After they were married in 1974, Steve went on to earn a Masters of Divinity at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, 1977. At graduation, Steve accepted the prestigious American Bible Society award “recognizing excellence in Biblical interpretation and preaching.” He was ordained into the gospel ministry by North Phoenix Baptist Church in 1975. The International Mission Board, SBC commissioned both Steve and Marcia for overseas service in 1980 - 2007. Steve recently earned his DMin from Gateway Seminary in 2018.
Steve has served in churches as a Senior Pastor in California, Utah, and Arizona. Steve and Marcia served twenty- seven years as an International Missionary in Korea, Iraq, England, and France. Steve currently serves as Lead Pastor of First Southern Baptist Church of Phoenix, 2012 – present.