Leadership
Billy Walker - Lead Pastor
Laurie Walker - Women’s ministries
Our Lead Pastor, Billy Walker, is the son of the previous pastor and the grandson of the founding pastor. After marrying his high school sweetheart and graduating from College with a music degree, he traveled across the U.S. with Laurie and his brother, Craig as the trio, "One Voice." After some personal loss, and increasing speaking opportunities where God used his message in a unique way, he and Laurie both felt the Lord leading them into more of a home-based ministry. Having served as part-time minister of music for a number of years, Billy quickly made the transition into his new role and became the Lead Pastor in 2006. He also serves as the Vice President of the Billy Walker Evangelistic Association and Hiawatha Youth Camp, and is a member of the Executive Board for the SBC in Michigan. Billy & Laurie have two adult daughters, Whitney and Kaylie, and a son-in-law, Eric.
Contact: billy@calvarysouthgate.org
Contact: laurie@calvarysouthgate.org
Dan russell - executive pastor
Pastor Dan and his wife Jo Linda came to Calvary Church in June of 2010 and he serves as our Executive Pastor. He graduated from Calvary Bible College, Trinity Theological Seminary, and Bethany Divinity School, having earned a doctorate in Biblical Studies. He has over 40 years of ministry experience as a pastor, professor, counselor, and chaplain. Pastor Dan is our Life Group and Men's Ministry small group coordinator. He oversees the church counseling center, pastoral care ministry, and various other ministries. Each year, he leads a mission trip to a different part of the country or the world. Recent mission trips include Honduras, New York City, the Philippines, Los Angeles, Peru, and Montreal. Pastor Dan has authored three books, The Christ In Christian, Poetry by a Pastor, and Bible Basics You can check out his web site at www.pastordanrussell.com
Contact: dan@calvarysouthgate.org
Tamra Hall - Kid’s Ministry Director / Administrator
Tamra began her time working with Calvary Church 25 years ago and has grown in her responsibilities since. She currently is the Executive Administrator and leads Calvary Kids where she engages the spectrum of generations involved within Calvary. She also serves as the Executive Assistant for the Billy Walker Evangelistic Association and Hiawatha Youth Camp. Each summer, Tamra can be found up north serving and leading during Jr. Camp, the Teen Weeks, Young Adult week and beyond.
Contact: tamra@calvarysouthgate.org
Eric Croft - Discipleship Pastor / Media & Communications
Eric began work with Calvary in the spring of 2017 as the Community Development Pastor, growing relationships and streamlining Calvary’s tech and digital outreach. After serving as CSM pastor for over four years, Eric now leads discipleship and community groups within the church. Over the years, media and communication needs have grown to include podcasts and live streaming gatherings. Eric and Kaylie and also spearheading a new Calvary venture, Fresh Wind which is set to launch in 2024.
Contact: eric@calvarysouthgate.org
Kaylie Croft - Worship Ministries Director
While Kaylie joined the Calvary staff in 2017, her roots are deep having grow up within the Calvary community here in Southgate as a fourth generation Walker to work with Calvary. Kaylie serves as the Worship Ministries Director where she organizes music on Sunday mornings, develops the musicians she serves with and strives to grow the communal understanding of worshiping God.Kaylie graduated from Taylor University with a degree in Church Music and has extensive music teaching and worship leading experience. She also is leading Fresh Wind with her husband, Eric.
Contact: kaylie@calvarysouthgate.org
Gerardo Sanchez - Iglesia el Calvario
Gerardo Sanchez and his family have been an incredible piece of our Calvary family for years. Now he, along with some other people, has started Iglesia El Calvario - a full Spanish ministry within Calvary Church. Iglesio El Calvario began May 5th, 2019 at Calvary Church. Along with this ministry, Gerardo also is a part of NAMB’s pipeline development program to develop his skills and understanding in ministry and service.
Contact: gerardo@calvarysouthgate.org
Jeremy Schlehuber - Calvary Student Ministries
Serving at Hiawatha Youth Camp for six years, ministry had been a part of Jeremy’s life for a while. Jeremy grew up in Downriver and has been a part of the Calvary family for nine years Now, Jeremy serves as the head of Calvary Student Ministries, growing in his leadership, mentoring the kids and almost always winning at ping pong. Jeremy serves alongside his wife Bethany and together their heart for teens is deep and evident. They both desire to care for and guide students into deeper relationships with Jesus.
Contact: jeremy@calvarysouthgate.org
Ellen Lewis - Nursery Lead
Ellen has been a part of Calvary for her whole life and cares deeply for the community. Her passion is children and loving them the way Jesus would love them. Leading the nursery for infants and toddlers, Ellen is able to have fun with kids and pour into their parents as well.