Our Staff
Senior PASTOR
Matt Howell
I grew up in Dallas, TX and graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2003. After graduation, I served as an intern with RUF at LSU for two years where I 1) developed a heart for pastoral ministry and 2) met and married the RUF intern at Emory University, Kathryn, who grew up in Memphis. Because of Kathryn's upbringing in the city, Memphis has been somewhat of a second home for me since 2005. I am drawn to its robust culture, its beautiful (though broken) history, and the people who live there. After 11 years of being a campus minister with RUF at both Appalachian State University and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, I am thrilled to be counted among those who call Memphis home.
I love levity and laughter (stand up comedy and parties), surprise and wonder (magic, pranks, and practical jokes), creation and celebration (drawing, music and cooking), and exploring and learning (hiking, a good podcast, and conversations over tea). Kathryn and I have 2 amazing children - Zoe Kate (born Sept of 2010) and Reid (born Dec of 2012).
ASSociate PASTOR
Ben Winkler
My wife, Whitney, and I are both natives of Peoria, IL where we grew up sitting side-by-side in Sunday School. Downtown Chicago was our next stop, where we were engaged and married before finally graduating from Moody Bible Institute in 2008. From there, the Lord surprised us with an unexpected stop in Bowling Green, KY to help with a new church plant and while working at an elementary school. It was there that God reaffirmed his call on our lives to pursue pastoral ministry. I graduated with a Masters of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary in May 2015 and was ordained the same year following our call to Redeemer.
Midtown has become our home and we wouldn’t have it any other way! If you look fast, you can find us chasing our 3 kids (Ellie, Simon, and Levi) around at the Kroc, or waiting in the car line at Idlewild, or running Whitney’s booth at art shows (check out her art and music at whitneywinkler.com).
Assistant Pastor
Austin Lenox
I was born in Huntsville, raised in Eva, AL (population 511) and attended Mississippi State University where I graduated in 2014 (where I found and fell in love with RUF!). During the summers, I worked as a counselor at Alpine Camp for Boys where God grew in me a love for His Word, His people, and sharing the first with the second. After college I worked as an RUF Intern at the University of Tennessee where I began to feel the Lord working within me a call towards a life of service to Him through vocational ministry. It was also during this season that I met my wife Meredith, who grew up in Oxford, MS and is now a pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Le Bonheur.. Before moving to Memphis, I spent three years in Jackson, MS attending seminary at RTS and working with the students and families ministry of First Presbyterian Church.
Meredith and I could not be more excited that the Lord has us in Midtown Memphis, serving and loving its people through Redeemer (specifically its youth and visitors)! I dream of seeing “new people” become “old people” at Redeemer. Catch us walking around our Cooper Young neighborhood, playing with our Bernese puppy, Clyde, eating the least healthy of foods, and maybe reading occasionally.
Director of Children’s Ministry
Mollie Naylor
I grew up in Homewood, Alabama, right outside of Birmingham. From there I attended The University of Alabama where I graduated with a degree in Secondary English Education. My husband, Adam, and I met in school and were married in 2014. In June 2011 I moved to Memphis to be a resident with Memphis Teacher Residency. Through their partnership with Union University I earned my Masters of Urban Education and taught eight years--most of that time to 6th graders--before leaving the classroom to raise our daughter, Heidi. I joined Redeemer in 2013 and Adam joined in 2014. For three years Adam had the joy of leading our youth group, and he and I were so grateful for the opportunity to get to know and love the amazing students of our church. Adam and I have always lived in Midtown and feel so rooted here. We are incredibly proud that our daughter was born in Memphis, making her a true Memphian--a high honor in our book. We are big frequenters of the Memphis Zoo, and it’s not uncommon to find us in Overton Square making the short trek from Golden India over to Sweet Noshings. We are so grateful that we get to call both Midtown and Redeemer home!
Events Coordinator
Katie Futrell
I grew up in Birmingham, Alabama and graduated from Auburn University where I met my husband, Matt. We married in 2005 and settled in Memphis. After a seven year stint in the classroom, I resigned to stay home with our girls, Mary Thomas, Ellie, and Claire. I take great delight in being a part of the New Ballet Ensemble and School family and serving as much as I can with the Forrest Spence Fund and ArtsMemphis. Matt and I have been members of Redeemer since 2007.
OPERATIONS ADMINISTRATOR
Debbie Wilkins
Born and raised right here in Memphis, I am blessed with three children and ten grandchildren. Summer days will find me playing in the dirt trying to make something grow. I definitely do not have a green thumb but still enjoy the challenge of gardening. Winter days will find me at Hobby Lobby or Michael’s with my creative juices flowing! I joined Redeemer Presbyterian Church as Operations Administrator in July, 2013. Previous employment with the Memphis Regional Chamber of Commerce and The Children’s Museum of Memphis equipped me with years of administrative and management experience necessary to keep Redeemer’s day-to-day operations on the track and running smoothly.