About Southside
Christianity is both ancient and applicable today. Worship should be the same. It is at Southside, and we're saving a seat for you.
Our Story
A Church Following Jesus in East Texas
Southside Church has been part of the Jacksonville community since 1963. We're a family of Christ-followers committed to something simple but life-changing: trusting and following Jesus together.
We believe the Bible is God's inspired and authoritative word — and that when we take it seriously, it shapes everything: how we worship, how we treat one another, and how we live Monday through Saturday. We aren't interested in religion for religion's sake. We're interested in Jesus and the kingdom life he makes possible.
We come from the Restoration Movement — a tradition that has always valued connecting with the practices of the early church and applying them in the life of each generation. That heritage shapes our life together in some distinctive ways: our worship is filled with voices blending in harmony as we sing together, we gather around the Lord's Table every Sunday, and our congregation is shepherded by elders and served by deacons, just as Paul instructed Timothy and Titus. In all of it, we let Scripture — not tradition or trends — set the agenda.
We're also a church that's still growing. Following Jesus means holding our convictions with both confidence and humility — studying hard, asking honest questions, and always being willing to follow Scripture more faithfully wherever it leads.
What Matters to Us
The Convictions That Shape Our Life Together
Jesus Is King
Everything starts here. We believe the gospel is the announcement that Jesus — the long-awaited Messiah — has been crucified for our sins, raised from the dead, and enthroned as Lord over all things. Our lives are a response to that reality.
Scripture Guides Us
We believe God gave us the sixty-six books of the Bible as his inspired, authoritative word. We're committed to doing the hard work of understanding it well — reading carefully, studying honestly, and obeying faithfully.
Faith Is More Than Belief
We believe saving faith is more than intellectual agreement. It's trust, allegiance, and faithfulness to Jesus as both Savior and Lord. Faith without faithful living isn't really faith at all.
Disciples, Not Just Members
We don't just want church attenders — we want disciples. A disciple is someone who is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and committed to the mission of Jesus. That's what we're after, for every person who walks through our doors.
Our Family
Meet Our Leadership
The men and families who guide and serve our congregation
Shepherds
Kyle Arrington
Shepherd
Kyle grew up at Southside and graduated from Texas A&M University in College Station. He serves as president of Arrington Lumber & Pallet Co. He enjoys teaching and leading singing, and he and his wife Lauren have two children.
Jason Campbell
Shepherd
Raised in a gospel-centered home, Jason owns Campbell Custom Homes in Bullard, and served on the Bullard ISD school board for many years. He and his wife Cindy have two daughters.
Clay Thornton
Shepherd
Clay began preaching in 2000 and joined Southside in 2014. He spent almost 20 years as a barber in Tyler until he left the profession to preach full time in 2025. He and his wife Mandy have five daughters.
Deacons
Billy Alexander
Deacon
Billy joined Southside shortly after moving to Jacksonville in 2022 and enjoys teaching as often as possible. He and his wife Gwen are both retired from Hewlett-Packard Enterprise.
Garrett Bryant
Deacon
Garrett has called Southside home since 2012. He worked in emergency and hospice nursing for 5 years and for Arrington Lumber and Pallet since 2014. Garrett and his wife Katie have 2 children.
Mark Canter
Deacon
Mark has called Southside home since 2022. He is a retired landman and now focusing on Southside's security and safety. He and his wife Aline are blessed to have two grown children and four grandchildren who all call Jacksonville home.
Clayton Hughes
Deacon
Clayton joined Southside in 2019 after he graduated from Texas A&M University and started working for Texas Farm Bureau. He and his wife Jolie have two children.
Dylan Hurte
Deacon
Dylan moved here with his wife Abigail after graduating from Sam Houston State University. They joined Southside in the summer of 2025, and are excited to grow their family in East Texas.
Tony McLeroy
Deacon
Tony's parents were among Southside's founding families in 1957, and his family has been a fixture in the church for many years. He and his wife Sheryl have two daughters.
Michael Menard
Deacon
Michael grew up in Jacksonville and starting worshiping at Southside in 2022. He has been an HVAC Technician since 2014. He and his wife Lauren have 2 children.
Brian Reuter
Deacon
Brian joined Southside when his family relocated to East Texas in 2014, and he works at Sadler's Smokehouse in Henderson. He and his wife Valerie have three children.
Family & Youth Minister
Fred Hayes
Family & Youth Minister
Fred holds a Doctorate of Education from Baylor and spent many years as a superintendent in several school districts. Now retired from education, he oversees the family and youth outreach at Southside. He is married to Gay Lynn.
Come Worship With Us
Whether you're a first-time visitor or returning home, there's always a place for you.