Venture Leadership

Born and raised in Hattiesburg, MS, Craig put his faith in Jesus and was baptized as a child at First Baptist Church Hattiesburg (renamed Venture in 2009). As a middle schooler, Craig felt God calling Him to something more. Following his 1998 graduation from Hattiesburg High, Craig attended Mississippi State University where he studied business and met his wife, Katie. After earning a Bachelor of Business degree, Craig began a career in sales, and he and Katie were married in June of 2005. Soon after, Craig and Katie began serving in full-time ministry together overseas. They served with the International Mission Board in Central Asia from 2006 - 2008 where Katie taught English and Craig coached football. They returned to the States in 2008, and Craig joined the staff of Pinelake Church, a multi-site church in central Mississippi, as the Students and College Pastor, later transitioning to the role of Groups Pastor. While on staff at Pinelake, Craig served on both the Clinton and Starkville campuses. During this season, the Curtis family grew as they welcomed their son Mac (now 16) and daughter Rosie (now 13). In 2012, the Curtis family returned to Hattiesburg and Craig joined the Venture staff team where he has served in many capacities, including as the Campus Pastor of The Lincoln Road Campus, Venture’s broadcast campus. In May of 2024, Craig was selected to serve as Venture’s next Lead Pastor. One who never meets a stranger, Craig has a zeal for both people and his faith and is excited about leading Venture’s growing church family into the next season of ministry throughout South Mississippi. Craig also loves running, playing tennis, watching his kids play soccer, traveling with his family, and all things Mississippi State.

Associate Pastor of Venture Church

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 Associate Pastor of Venture Church, 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.

Executive Pastor of Campuses

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 37 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.

Executive Pastor of Operations

Zach’s faith journey is rooted in the power of an invitation. He did not grow up in church as a child, but everything changed when his best friend invited him to a church youth event at fifteen. It was there he first experienced the love of a faith community and realized that salvation through Jesus was what his life had been missing. In his adult years, he began to understand what it looked like to live out his faith in everyday leadership, service, and family life. His years as a volunteer and partner at Venture deepened that calling, and ultimately, his volunteer role as a house church pastor opened the door for him to step into full-time ministry. Zach serves as the Executive Pastor of Operations, where he leads the teams responsible for finance, operations, human resources, construction projects, and churchwide stewardship. With a heart for building healthy systems that support ministry, he works to ensure every resource is used to help people know, love, and follow Jesus. Before joining Venture’s staff, Zach spent eleven years with the Boy Scouts of America, most recently serving as the Executive Director of the Pine Burr Area Council, leading Scouting programs across South Mississippi. His experience in leadership development, organizational strategy, and community partnership continues to shape his passion for building strong teams and supporting the mission of the church. Zach and his wife, Katie, love being part of the Venture family and the community it has provided for them as transplants to the Hattiesburg area. They have four children—Paisley, Sutton, Hatley Kate, and Tenley—who keep life full and joyful. He enjoys playing pickleball and golf, hiking outdoors, and spending meaningful time together as a family. Above all, he is passionate about creating environments where people can grow in faith, experience community, and take their next steps with Jesus.

Executive Pastor of Ministries

Ben grew up in North Alabama until age 15 when his family moved to Hattiesburg. They began attending First Baptist Church of Hattiesburg where student ministry played a big part in growing Ben in his relationship with Jesus. It was also during this time that a seed was planted in his heart for ministry. After High School, Ben attended and graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelors in Sports Administration (2008) and a Masters in Sport Management (2009). Following graduation, he began a career in education, where he was a teacher, coach, and school administrator. During this time, Ben and his family worshipped at The Hunt Club Campus. During this time, Ben was also actively involved in ministry at Venture, volunteering in various roles including greeting in guest services, leading growth groups, serving on the Stewardship committee, and serving as an Elder. In 2020, Ben felt a call into full-time ministry, and joined the Venture Church staff in 2020 to oversee House Churches at The Lincoln Road Campus. He is currently serving as Executive Pastor of Ministries (birth-adults). Ben and his wife Lacey have 2 children, Cannon and Livy, and they love life in the country in their corner of Jones County. The Wade’s love trips to the mountains, the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, and anything that allows them to be together!

Executive Manager

Brandy grew up in a small church in Pontotoc, MS and began following Jesus at 8 years old. She moved to Hattiesburg to attend USM in 2003, and her faith really began to grow in those college years through the college ministry at First Baptist Church (now Venture) and the USM BSU. Brandy graduated from USM in 2007 with a Bachelors in Psychology and from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 2013 with a Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling. Brandy and her husband Whit came back to Venture in 2012 when Whit took a job as Production Director and Brandy later came on staff in 2015. Brandy and Whit have two children, Sophia and Lucas. Brandy currently serves as Executive Manager and Lincoln Road Campus Manager.

Lead Pastor Craig Curtis has been serving Venture Church since 2012. A Hattiesburg native, Craig is passionate about seeing his community connect to the local church and seeing people come alive to the plans God has for them. Craig and his wife, Katie, have two children, Mac and Rosie. As a family, they love traveling, spending time outdoors, and hanging out with their pets, Ranger the Dog and Georgie the Cat.

A Richton native, Hunt Club Campus Pastor Gray Strickland first attended Venture Church in college with his future wife, Lauren, when it was still known as First Baptist Church of Hattiesburg. During those years, a passion for the unchurched grew in them. In 2005, they left Hattiesburg to help plant a church in Fairhope, Alabama. Their vision was to "be a church that unchurched people love to attend” -- a vision that was birthed from their time at First Hattiesburg! After pastoring in Fairhope for 15 years, God brought Gray, Lauren, and their son, Judah, home to serve where they started— Venture Church! In 2020, Gray joined the Venture Church staff through the LEAD Team Apprenticeship Program, and in 2023, he officially became The Hunt Club Campus Pastor. God has brought Gray and his family full circle, and they believe it to be a testimony of God's faithfulness and purpose for their lives.

Stone County Campus Pastor Tyler Eggers first came to Venture Church in 2015 when he joined the LEAD Team Apprenticeship Program after graduating from William Carey University. Just two years later in 2017, God called Tyler and his wife Nancy to be an integral part of launching Venture’s third campus in Wiggins. Since then, Tyler and Nancy have grown their family, and now have two children, Jordan and Aubrey. On his day off, you can find Tyler on the basketball court playing ball with friends.

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 Gulf Coast Campus Pastor. 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. 

Jones County Campus Pastor Andy Pittman was born and raised in Richton, Mississippi. He began attending Venture with his future wife, Katherine, as a University of Southern Mississippi college student. After graduation, Andy began serving in Pine Belt churches as a student pastor, worship pastor, and lead pastor. After almost two decades of church ministry, God brought Andy back to Venture in 2023 to lead The Jones County Campus as Campus Pastor. He and his wife, Katherine, have three sons, Parker, Ridge, and Brooks.

Ron Cain has been employed at Merit Health Wesley for over 40 years where he serves as the current Vice President of Physician Support. Ron made his profession of faith at nine years old. Ron resides in Hattiesburg with his wife, Debby, and they have two daughters. Ron began attending Venture Church in 1983 and has served in many capacities at The Lincoln Road Campus. From serving as an Elder, prayer team member, and usher, Ron loves being actively engaged in the life of Venture Church. Ron enjoys getting the opportunity to see people’s hurt melt into real hope. Ron feels blessed being at Venture to see what others only dream of seeing.

Ryan Harvey is a Licensed Insurance Agent and Operations Manager at The Bradshaw Agency. Ryan made his profession of faith in 1990 at the age of seven. Ryan, his wife, Ashley, and their three sons have attended The Hunt Club Campus for four years. He serves on the Hospitality Team and as a House Church Host. House Church holds a special place in Ryan’s heart because of the impact that the community of believers has had on his family. He is grateful for the love, support, and accountability found in House Church and how quickly Venture Church has become his faith family.

Michael Honeycutt grew up in church and accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of 12, He continued to pursue a life of service both in faith and in vocation. He and his wife, Bekki, first began attending First Baptist Hattiesburg in 1993 while students at USM. Military service took their family to various places over the years, but they returned to Hattiesburg in 2007 and have been faithful partners ever since. After serving 34 years in the U.S. Army, he retired and now works with the Lamar County School District as the Commander over the JROTC programs for all four district schools. He and Bekki have been married for 27 years and are the proud parents of three daughters; Madison, Lindsey, and Riley. Over the years, he has served as a deacon and on many teams and committees, and each opportunity has deepened his love for this church family. He is truly humbled and honored to serve as an elder.

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.”

Curt Jones is the Chief Credit Officer of Magnolia State Bank and has had a twenty-year-long career in banking. Curt has been married to his wife, Leslie, for 19 years, and they have two sons, Wyatt (17) and Warner (14). Curt has been a part of the Venture Church family for twenty years and currently attends The Hunt Club Campus. He has previously served as a Deacon and currently serves as a leader for Venture Students, a Prayer Team member, and a House Church Pastor and Host. Curt looks forward to serving alongside the fellow Elders and the Leadership Team. He hopes to partner with Venture Church and use his talents and life experiences to help steward our church through this next season.

Kellen Lane is an Executive Director for Chick-fil-A. Kellen first got involved at Venture Church in 2019 at The Lincoln Road Campus. Since becoming a partner, Kellen has served with Venture Students and on the Impact Team, and he is currently a House Church Pastor. Kellen is excited to serve as an Elder and loves Venture Church’s commitment to its mission to lead people to know, love, and follow Jesus. He is excited to see how Venture continues to discover innovative ways to connect with people in need of hearing the Gospel.

Jason Overstreet is a licensed Professional Engineer in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida. Jason leads Overstreet and Associates – Consulting Engineers, with offices in Long Beach, Biloxi, and Daphne, Alabama. He and his wife, Anna, have been part of the Venture family since 2017, along with their children Thomas, Ivey, and Tyson. Since partnering at Venture, Jason has served in many areas, from KXP and The Movement to ushering, parking, the Pastor Search Committee, and hosting and pastoring a House Church. Leading a House Church has been one of the greatest blessings for his family and their walk with the Lord. Jason is excited to continue serving alongside the other elders as God grows Venture Church.

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.