Venture Leadership

Born and raised in Hattiesburg, MS, Craig put his faith in Jesus and was baptized as a child at First Baptist Church Hattiesburg (renamed Venture in 2009). As a middle schooler, Craig felt God calling Him to something more. Following his 1998 graduation from Hattiesburg High, Craig attended Mississippi State University where he studied business and met his wife, Katie. After earning a Bachelor of Business degree, Craig began a career in sales, and he and Katie were married in June of 2005. Soon after, Craig and Katie began serving in full-time ministry together overseas. They served with the International Mission Board in Central Asia from 2006 - 2008 where Katie taught English and Craig coached football. They returned to the States in 2008, and Craig joined the staff of Pinelake Church, a multi-site church in central Mississippi, as the Students and College Pastor, later transitioning to the role of Groups Pastor. While on staff at Pinelake, Craig served on both the Clinton and Starkville campuses. During this season, the Curtis family grew as they welcomed their son Mac (now 16) and daughter Rosie (now 13). In 2012, the Curtis family returned to Hattiesburg and Craig joined the Venture staff team where he has served in many capacities, including as the Campus Pastor of The Lincoln Road Campus, Venture’s broadcast campus. In May of 2024, Craig was selected to serve as Venture’s next Lead Pastor. One who never meets a stranger, Craig has a zeal for both people and his faith and is excited about leading Venture’s growing church family into the next season of ministry throughout South Mississippi. Craig also loves running, playing tennis, watching his kids play soccer, traveling with his family, and all things Mississippi State.

Byron grew up in church, with his father serving as lead pastor across several churches in South Mississippi. After giving his life to Christ at the age of 7, Byron continued to serve in church alongside his family, where he began to feel a call to ministry. After graduating from Mississippi College, Byron married his wife of 35 years, Donna. Byron obtained his Master of Arts in Religious Education (M.A.R.E.) from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, during which he served as the Student Pastor of Richland Hills Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Byron and Donna then returned to Mississippi, where he served for 9 years at First Baptist Church McComb as the Student Pastor, Minister of Church Recreation, and Minister of Church Education. In 1998, Byron officially became a part of Venture Church Staff (then, First Baptist Hattiesburg) where he has since served in a variety of ministry areas including Student Pastor, Pastor of Family Ministries, and Hunt Club Campus Pastor. Byron currently serves as an Executive Pastor of Venture Church, and his responsibilities include the LEAD Apprenticeship Program, Pastor to Campus Pastors, and the Interim Director of Next Gen Ministries. Byron's favorite hobby is spending time with his wife and his three children, Raley, Caedon, and Garon. His favorite part of serving at Venture Church is the people – both the ones he ministers to and serves alongside.

Kyle grew up in church, but in his middle school years, he began following Jesus. Kyle took part in his church's student ministry which helped him understand what it looks like to have a relationship with God. In time, Kyle came to understand the calling God had placed on his life to serve the local church. Kyle and his wife, Brooke, started attending Venture at the Hunt Club campus in 2016. In 2018, Kyle began serving on staff with the Hunt Club team, and he has since helped launch The Jones County Campus. Kyle currently serves as the Executive Pastor of Ministries, overseeing all ministry teams at Venture Church. Kyle, his wife, Brooke, and their daughter, Charli Kate, currently worship and serve at the Jones County Campus. What Kyle loves most about Venture Church is the unwavering commitment to the vision and mission God has called the church to. To be a church for the unchurched. To lead people to know, love, and follow Jesus.

Lincoln Road Campus Pastor Craig Curtis has been serving Venture Church since 2012. A Hattiesburg native, Craig is passionate about seeing his community connect to the local church and seeing people come alive to the plans God has for them. Craig and his wife, Katie, have two children, Mac and Rosie. As a family, they love traveling, spending time outdoors, and hanging out with their pets, Ranger the Dog and Georgie the Cat.

A Richton native, Hunt Club Campus Pastor Gray Strickland first attended Venture Church in college with his future wife, Lauren, when it was still known as First Baptist Church of Hattiesburg. During those years, a passion for the unchurched grew in them. In 2005, they left Hattiesburg to help plant a church in Fairhope, Alabama. Their vision was to "be a church that unchurched people love to attend” -- a vision that was birthed from their time at First Hattiesburg! After pastoring in Fairhope for 15 years, God brought Gray, Lauren, and their son, Judah, home to serve where they started— Venture Church! In 2020, Gray joined the Venture Church staff through the LEAD Team Apprenticeship Program, and in 2023, he officially became The Hunt Club Campus Pastor. God has brought Gray and his family full circle, and they believe it to be a testimony of God's faithfulness and purpose for their lives.

Stone County Campus Pastor Tyler Eggers first came to Venture Church in 2015 when he joined the LEAD Team Apprenticeship Program after graduating from William Carey University. Just two years later in 2017, God called Tyler and his wife Nancy to be an integral part of launching Venture’s third campus in Wiggins. Since then, Tyler and Nancy have grown their family, and now have two children, Jordan and Aubrey. On his day off, you can find Tyler on the basketball court playing ball with friends.

After graduating from University of Southern Mississippi (SMTTT) in 2014, Gulf Coast Campus Pastor Blake Houston joined the Venture Church staff through the very first class of the LEAD Team Apprenticeship Program. Blake has served in many roles at Venture, including Church Online and now Campus Pastor on the Gulf Coast. Blake and his wife, Lauren, have two children, Henley Grace and Hatcher. Blake loves a good book, a well-cut yard, and any type of football.

Jones County Campus Pastor Andy Pittman was born and raised in Richton, Mississippi. He began attending Venture with his future wife, Katherine, as a University of Southern Mississippi college student. After graduation, Andy began serving in Pine Belt churches as a student pastor, worship pastor, and lead pastor. After almost two decades of church ministry, God brought Andy back to Venture in 2023 to lead The Jones County Campus as Campus Pastor. He and his wife, Katherine, have three sons, Parker, Ridge, and Brooks.

Ron Cain has been employed at Merit Health Wesley for over 40 years where he serves as the current Vice President of Physician Support. Ron made his profession of faith at nine years old. Ron resides in Hattiesburg with his wife, Debby, and they have two daughters. Ron began attending Venture Church in 1983 and has served in many capacities at The Lincoln Road Campus. From serving as an Elder, prayer team member, and usher, Ron loves being actively engaged in the life of Venture Church. Ron enjoys getting the opportunity to see people’s hurt melt into real hope. Ron feels blessed being at Venture to see what others only dream of seeing.

Ryan Harvey is a Licensed Insurance Agent and Operations Manager at The Bradshaw Agency. Ryan made his profession of faith in 1990 at the age of seven. Ryan, his wife, Ashley, and their three sons have attended The Hunt Club Campus for four years. He serves on the Hospitality Team and as a House Church Host. House Church holds a special place in Ryan’s heart because of the impact that the community of believers has had on his family. He is grateful for the love, support, and accountability found in House Church and how quickly Venture Church has become his faith family.

Robert Donnell is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Mississippi and Louisiana and is the owner of Donnell CPA Group, PC in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Robert and his wife, Gin, have attended for many years and raised their two children at Venture Church. Robert serves as an Elder for Venture Church and loves coming alongside others in the journey to love, know, and follow Jesus.

Lee Fedric served as a banker for 46 years, including positions as CEO and President of several local banks before retiring in 2022. Lee is husband to Linda, father to two married daughters, and grandfather to six. Lee made a decision to follow Jesus as a young child and was baptized at the age of 36. Lee has actively attended and served at Venture Church since 2001, where he has served in several capacities such as a member of the finance committee, a small group leader, a deacon, and a member of the guest services team. Lee loves the vision of Venture Church to be a “church for the unchurched.”

Curt Jones is the Chief Credit Officer of Magnolia State Bank and has had a twenty-year-long career in banking. Curt has been married to his wife, Leslie, for 19 years, and they have two sons, Wyatt (17) and Warner (14). Curt has been a part of the Venture Church family for twenty years and currently attends The Hunt Club Campus. He has previously served as a Deacon and currently serves as a leader for Venture Students, a Prayer Team member, and a House Church Pastor and Host. Curt looks forward to serving alongside the fellow Elders and the Leadership Team. He hopes to partner with Venture Church and use his talents and life experiences to help steward our church through this next season.

Kellen Lane is an Executive Director for Chick-fil-A. Kellen first got involved at Venture Church in 2019 at The Lincoln Road Campus. Since becoming a partner, Kellen has served with Venture Students and on the Impact Team, and he is currently a House Church Pastor. Kellen is excited to serve as an Elder and loves Venture Church’s commitment to its mission to lead people to know, love, and follow Jesus. He is excited to see how Venture continues to discover innovative ways to connect with people in need of hearing the Gospel.

Lee Parish currently serves as Chairman of the Elders at Venture Church. He is the owner of Parish Tractor Company. Lee grew up in a home full of love where he was first introduced to Jesus. In his twenties, a true relationship with Jesus began to form, and Lee began to truly follow Him and strive to live a life that was pleasing to God. Lee and his wife, Elizabeth, have been attending Venture Church since 2009 and have since begun raising their four children to know, love, and follow Jesus in their church family. Lee currently serves in KXP and House Church. He loves serving with kids and seeing them grow and mature in their faith. House Church has played an important role in Lee and Elizabeth's lives, growing them together as they focus on God with a community of believers as an extension of the church building. Community has been important to their family, and they love helping others find the same!

Joe Stevens is an Attorney with Wise Carter Law Firm. Raised in the church, Joe gave his life to Christ at the age of 9. Joe first connected to Venture Church in 1977 when it was still known as First Baptist Church of Hattiesburg. Joe and his wife, Lisa, have since raised their three children at Venture. Joe has served in a variety of roles at Venture Church and currently serves as an Elder and as a Trustee of the FBC Foundation. He loves seeing our diverse church come together to worship and draw closer to our Heavenly Father.