OUR STAFF

Senior Pastor - Josh Ogle

Josh was called as our Lead Pastor in August of 2025. He comes to our church after spending nearly a decade serving in family ministry at churches in North Carolina and Tennessee. He is a native of East Tennessee and holds degrees from Walter State Community College (AS in Business), The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (BA in Psychology) and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div. in Christian Ministry). Josh loves shepherding the whole church family, helping people of all ages grow in Christ. He has a deep desire to equip and encourage believers to live by faith in God’s Word through prayer, missional living, and other holy habits. His also passionate about sharing the Good News of Jesus and advancing the kingdom of God to see people find life in Jesus.

On a personal note. Josh is married to his wonderful wife, Maygen. They have two kids (Jaxson and Brooklynn). Their family motto is simply to “Love Jesus and have lots of fun along the way!” Beyond this, he enjoys good food, a good college football Saturday, a good cup of coffee, a good afternoon of wood carving and a good day outdoors.

Associate Pastor of Discipleship - Benji Mendoza

Rev. Benji Mendoza was called to serve Hillcrest as the Associate Pastor of Discipleship in April 2026. In this role, he serves our students and works with the Senior Pastor to enact the mission of Hillcrest in how we can lead people to find life in Jesus. He is a Morristown native and grew up in a neighborhood just up the road from the church! Called to ministry at 15, God has given him various opportunities and roles throughout high school and college serving in student ministry, campus ministry, mission trips, and discipleship ministries. Now a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (B.A. in Communication Studies), Benji’s one and only goal is to glorify God in everything he does, and he is passionate about walking with people in their next steps with Jesus. 

Benji is engaged to his beautiful fiancée Stephanie who is a Kindergarten Teacher at Alpha Primary School, a former college softball player, and has served on staff at FUGE Camp for a few summers! They love serving Jesus together and they are excited about this next chapter of marriage and ministry! Furthermore, Benji loves his time outdoors, eating delicious food, drinking good coffee, cheering on the Vols, and spending time with people. 

“So then just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him, being rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.” - Colossians 2:6-7

Interim Worship Leader - John Greene

Preschool - Kathy Bolger

Children’s Director - Tessie Crawford

Tessie Crawford is the Children’s Ministry leader at Hillcrest Baptist Church.  She is married to Link Crawford, who assists her in this ministry.  Tessie was saved at a young age in Vacation Bible School.  Tessie states that God placed a love and calling on her heart to work with children long before she recognized or understood it.  She has worked in Early Childhood Education professionally for more than twenty years.  Tessie feels blessed to serve in the children’s ministry at Hillcrest, and counts it is a privilege to share and grow in God’s word with the children.  Link and Tessie have two adult sons, Isaiah and Micah Crawford, who faithfully attend and serve at Hillcrest as well.

“Children are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” – Psalms 127:3

Church Secretary - Beverly Brooks

Beverly Brooks is the Secretary at Hillcrest Baptist Church.  She accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at the age of seven.  She has been happily married to her husband, Randy, for over 30 years.  They prayed for six years for a child.  The Lord blessed them with three beautiful girls!  Beverly has been involved in church and Christian school work for over 25 years.  Her heart is to be a help and a blessing.  She wants the world to see Jesus.  She loves to worship and praise the Lord through song.  He is worthy to be praised!  Beverly is very thankful for the opportunity to serve and looks forward to being used of the Lord at HBC. 

“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”  Psalm 37:5