Billy is a lifelong resident of Shreveport and a 1993 graduate of C.E. Byrd High School. On February 14, 1993, during his senior year at Byrd, he was saved by God’s grace—a moment that changed the trajectory of his life. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Louisiana State University in Shreveport in 1997, where he also lettered two years in basketball.
On February 19, 2000, Billy married his high school and college sweetheart, Kara Denise Phillips. God has graciously blessed them with three sons: Christopher Cyle, Connor Andrew, and Collier Matthew.
Billy has been active in church ministry since his conversion. From 1997 to 2007, he led Youth and College & Career ministries. In 2008, he was hired as a part‑time ministry assistant, and after one year, he followed God’s call to serve as Associate Pastor (June–December 2008). Later that year, Billy and a small group of believers sensed the Lord leading them to plant Redeemer Fellowship in the Southern Hills community, where Billy and his family live.
In October 2010, Redeemer Fellowship connected with members of Community Bible Church, a congregation experiencing decline and searching for a pastor for two years. After months of prayerful consideration, Redeemer Fellowship and Community Bible made the decision to merge their congregations on June 12, 2011.
Billy was ordained on March 21, 2010, by Heritage Baptist Church, which had sponsored Redeemer Fellowship as a church plant. He earned his Master of Divinity in Great Commission Studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in May 2011 and began coursework toward a PhD at Southern in January 2014.
Billy enjoys spending time with his family, playing basketball, and reading.
Joe Spell, 69, has been married to his wife, Liz, for 44 years. Together they have two married children, Emory Rhodes and Joseph Spell. A devoted follower of Jesus, Joe has dedicated his life to ministry and service.
He currently serves as an Elder and Pastor at Redeemer Community Church. Joe was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1991 and has served in various ministry roles, including interim chaplain at the Shreveport/Bossier Rescue Mission. He is also the founder and Mission Director of Last Call Ministries, a role he has faithfully carried out since 1991.
Joe was ordained and licensed as a Baptist minister in 1996 and commissioned as a Southern Baptist missionary in 2001.
His life verse is Jeremiah 33:3, and he joyfully proclaims that he is saved by grace.
Jerod was born and raised in Haughton, Louisiana, and graduated from Haughton High School in 2006. In July of that same year, he was saved by God’s grace. As a new believer, he became deeply involved in his local church, growing under the guidance of his pastor and several mentors. Early in his Christian walk, Jerod eagerly stepped into ministry—teaching and preaching at youth conferences, speaking at local high school FCA meetings, filling in as a Sunday school teacher, and preaching to youth on Wednesday nights whenever opportunities arose.
On November 15, 2008, Jerod married Stephanie Lee, and the Lord has blessed them with two children: Allie Clair and Jack Owen.
Jerod and Stephanie were founding members of Redeemer Fellowship when it began as a church plant in 2008. Redeemer Fellowship later merged with Community Bible Church in 2011.
In 2012, Jerod and Stephanie answered God’s call to serve as houseparents' for pregnant teens at Heart of Hope in Keithville, Louisiana. In 2014, their ministry continued in Owasso, Oklahoma, where they served as houseparents' for young men ages 5–18. They returned to Shreveport in 2018 and rejoined Redeemer Community Church.
Since returning, Jerod has served as a Sunday school teacher for an adult class and, alongside his wife, has led Redeemer Kids on Wednesday nights. He also preaches on Sunday mornings as opportunities are given. Jerod was ordained to the ministry of the church in October 2025.
Jerod loves church history and Christian biography. His Christian life has been significantly shaped by his pastor, Billy Sutton, as well as other influential Christian leaders such as John Piper, Charles Spurgeon, and William Tyndale.
He enjoys disc golf, softball, and spending time with his family.
