South Woods Baptist Church

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Phil Newton

Pastor Phil Newton began South Woods Baptist Church in 1987. He served as a pastor of three other churches prior to moving to Memphis. He received his education at the University of Mobile, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and Fuller Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Karen, were married in 1975. They enjoy discussing biblical issues, reading, walking, traveling, and taking care of their 5 children. Kelly is a graduate of Mississippi College and married with four children. Andrew, having finished his term with the U.S. Navy, and his wife live in Arkansas, where he works in the oil industry. John is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and William & Mary. Lizzy is a student at Samford University, and Stephen is a high school student. In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, Pastor Phil serves on the Executive Board of Founders Ministries, has taught as an adjunct professor at Crichton College in Memphis and Theologique de Nimes (France), and enjoys leading foreign mission trips annually. He has published articles in several journals and has authored ELDERS IN CONGREGATIONAL LIFE and THE WAY OF FAITH. He also regularly sends his Sunday morning message via e-mail to people in several countries. If you are interested in being placed on his Sermon-a-Week mailing list, contact him here. There is no charge for this ministry.

Jim Carnes

Jim Carnes has served as Minister of Music at South Woods since 1995. He received his education at Union University (BM) and North Texas State University (MA in Musicology). He and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 20+ years and have two daughters: Anna and Mary. In addition to his music responsibilities at South Woods, Jim teaches one of the Adult Sunday school classes and shares in Wednesday evening teaching ministries with Pastor Phil. His full time job is at Oak Hall clothing store in Memphis where he is a men's clothes buyer. One of his real joys is seeing the congregation use his library which is housed at the church. Email Jim here.

Chris Wilbanks

Chris has been a member at South Woods since the winter of 2002 and joined the staff in a part-time capacity in 2005. He received his education at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College and received his Master of Divinity in pastoral studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Jessica, have two children. In addition to his responsibilities in seminary and as Minister of Children, he is a full-time employee at Cresthaven Internal Medicine in Memphis. You can contact Chris here.

Ben Cripps

Ben began serving at South Woods in February of 2006 as Assistant Pastor and Minister to Students. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies from Union University in 2000, and a Master of Divinity in Biblical and Theological Studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2005. Ben and his wife, Jolie, were married in 2000, and have two sons and a daughter. He enjoys wood-working, mountain biking, reading, and taking hikes with his family. Ben teaches the youth on Wednesday night, and also has oversight over the website and other tasks as assigned by the elders. You can email Ben here, and check out his personal blog and the South Woods Youth Blog.