Venture Leadership

Jeff put his faith in Christ at the age of 9 and felt a calling into ministry at only 15. Upon High School graduation, Jeff was awarded a basketball scholarship to Mississippi College where he earned his Bachelor's degree and also met his wife, Alicia. Following Mississippi College, Jeff attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas where he graduated in 1986 with a Masters of Divinity. Later in 1986, Jeff was asked to join the staff of First Baptist Church Hattiesburg as Youth Pastor. While on staff, Jeff continued to further his education and in 1995, graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology. Jeff has been the Lead Pastor of Venture Church (formerly FBC Hattiesburg) since 1996. Under his leadership, Venture Church has grown from a small staff to a team of more than 60 employees operating five physical campuses across south Mississippi and an online campus, all of which reach thousands each weekend. As a result of Jeff's vision and leadership, Venture Church has been recognized nationwide multiple times as one of America's 100 largest and fastest-growing churches. He and his wife, Alicia, have three children, BethAnne, Hunter, and Lynley, and five grandchildren. They all reside in Hattiesburg where Jeff enjoys spending time with his family, watching Alabama football, and continuing to fulfill his calling into ministry.

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, Campus 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.

Jeff May accepted Christ at the age of twelve. After decades of wrestling with a call to ministry, he surrendered to “full-time Christian service” at the age of 38. Jeff graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science in 1983. Prior to joining the Venture Church staff in 2015, he had a 32-year career in Information Technology Management and Business Management. Jeff is currently the Executive Pastor of Administration at Venture, overseeing all aspects of Venture's financial and personnel operations. What Jeff loves most about serving at Venture Church is the deep conviction that any person can be redeemed by God through a relationship with Jesus. He and his wife, Emma, are residents of Petal and have three children and six grandchildren. Jeff enjoys wearing Hawaiian shirts, cheering on the USM Eagles, and sharing his faith in Jesus with others seeking to know, love, and follow Jesus.

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.

Jerry DeFatta is employed at The University of Southern Mississippi where he has served as the Executive Director of the Southern Miss Alumni Association since 2010. He is also actively involved in his hometown of Petal, serving as the Chairman of the Petal School Board. Jerry made a profession of faith at the age of eight. Jerry, his wife, Bethanie, and their three children have been a part of Venture Church, where they have been actively engaged at The Lincoln Road Campus for seven years. Jerry and Bethanie serve in KXP, where they love pouring into the spiritual growth and development of the next generation. They appreciate and love that because of Venture's reach, they are able to interact with people from different communities, backgrounds, and walks of life.

Mike Devereaux is currently a home construction contractor in the Hattiesburg area. Mike started a relationship with Jesus in 1973 and has been serving at Venture Church for the past 18 years. Mike enjoys spending time with his wife, Jenny, their three married children, and their eight grandchildren. One of his favorite ways to serve at Venture Church is leading 4-5th grade KXP each Sunday at The Hunt Club Campus, where he loves to see children come to know, love, and follow Jesus.

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.”

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.