Leadership

Linda Benson is the wife of the Soul Filling Station's founding pastor Robert Benson who passed away in 2020. Linda is also the organ player on our worship team. Linda started playing the organ in the church in 1982 and loves feeling the presence of the Lord while giving praise to God while playing. Linda has embodied the heart and mission of our church since its founding and continues to do so to this day, and she feels extremely honored to be a part of the worship team.

Jesse Chism is the devoted Senior Pastor of the Soul Filling Station who has passionately served in ministry for over 20 years. With a heart dedicated to his community, Jesse finds fulfillment in spreading the love and teachings of Jesus Christ. Alongside his childhood sweetheart Hope, with whom he has been married for over 25 years, Jesse continues to inspire and impact the lives of those around him through his unwavering faith and commitment to service.

Israel McKinney is a pillar of strength in his church, serving with a passion for evangelism and exemplary leadership.  A cornerstone of The Soul Filling Station, he is known for his warm greetings at the door, welcoming all who enter with open arms. With a rich heritage of ministry in his lineage, Israel surrendered his heart to the Lord in his youth and rededicated his life in his young adult years. Happily married to Esther McKinney, the duo actively engages in various volunteer roles within the church, embodying a spirit of service and dedication.  As a loving father to his daughter Addie, Israel's commitment to faith and family shines brightly in all he does. Additionally, Israel is one of the home preachers in our congregation, delivering powerful messages from the pulpit that resonate with all who hear them.

Naomi Etris is the worship leader of The Soul Filling Station, and has done so for 16+ years. Naomi has been married to her husband, Dusty Etris, for 17 years. Together they have three amazing kids, Isaac, Sydney, and Liam. Naomi's love for music and worship began at the age of two years old when she was given the opportunity to begin singing on the platform. Naomi desires that everyone can feel the love of God through music!

Hannah Stowers is the treasurer, piano player, and backup singer of The Soul Filling Station. Hannah has been a part of The Soul Filling Station since birth. Hannah firmly believes that all things are possible in Christ, and she has many first-hand experiences with the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. Hannah's focus in leadership is to be a servant to those around her, whether that be at her home, church, or community.  Outside of Hannah's leadership role, she is a wife, mother, and business owner. Hannah has been married to her husband, Marcus, for 16 years. Their children, Beau and Lyla Stowers are truly the "greatest gifts God has blessed us with." "We believe in the God-centered family and aim to be a blessing and support to our church and our community."

Esther McKinney is a dedicated Sunday school leader and teacher, serving with a heart for school children. She embraced Salvation at the tender age of seven and later rededicated her life at 22. Feeling the divine call to ministry, particularly in Sunday school, at the age of 15, Esther has been nurtured in the church and is deeply committed to volunteer work within her community and congregation. Happily married to her husband, Israel McKinney, she also embraces the role of stepmother to Addie.

Kari Freeman is one of the Station Worship vocalists and has been with The Soul Filling Station for over 20 years. Kari is married to her devoted husband with whom she has 4 incredible children, and 6 amazing grandchildren. Kari finds much fulfillment in worshipping God, not just through music, but in every aspect of her life. Whether she is homeschooling her children, playing piano or pickleball, cooking, connecting with friends, or simply spending time with her loved ones, Kari strives to live a life that honors and glorifies God. Loving Jesus and recognizing her identity in Christ has been an incredible journey for her, and the best decision she has ever made. 

Grace Berry is a devoted member of our church community, known for her unwavering passion for worship and her newfound role on the praise and worship team. From a young age, Grace has harbored a deep love for songwriting and music, channeling her talents into creating meaningful and uplifting melodies. Raised in the church, she carries a strong desire to serve the Lord and spread His message through her musical gifts. Grace is happily married to Logan Berry, and together, they share a common goal of serving the Lord and spreading His love through their actions and talents. Grace's dedication to worship and commitment to serving alongside her husband exemplify her unwavering faith and love for the Lord.

Joshua Matthews is a gifted keyboard player, bringing an anointed touch to our church's worship team. His music is a heartfelt expression of devotion to the Lord, as he wholeheartedly engages in worship while playing. Joshua hails from a lineage of talented musicians, drawing inspiration from his uncle and Nana who paved the way for his musical journey. With the support of great mentors and leaders, Joshua has honed his skills and embraced his calling to serve God through music. Having accepted the Lord as his savior at a young age and being actively involved in the church since then, Joshua's faith shines through his music as a testament to his unwavering dedication. A lifelong resident of Georgia, Joshua is a cherished member of our leadership team and a true blessing to our praise and worship community.

Dusty Etris is the acoustic guitar player of The Soul Filling Station and has done so for 15+ years. Dusty has been married to Naomi Etris for 17 years and they have 3 children, Isaac, Sydney, and Liam. Dusty's passion is songwriting, and he believes music is the key to the heart. Here are a couple of quotes that Dusty lives by. “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” “Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar, except, possibly, two.”

Hayden Tice is one of The Soul Filling Station's guitarists. Hayden is 16 years old and attends Dawson County High School. Hayden has been with The Soul Filling Station for 6 months. Hayden is passionate about following God, and letting the Lord lead him into something greater, and help him achieve great things in his life and his faith not only for himself but for his community.

Logan Berry is a dedicated guitar player on our praise team, bringing his passion for worship to life through music. Inspired by his grandmother, Logan discovered his love for praise and worship at a young age. She introduced him to the joy of playing the guitar and using music as a heartfelt form of worship to the Lord. Coming from a lineage of pastors and individuals of great faith, Logan's upbringing instilled a deep reverence for serving God and spreading His message. Logan eagerly anticipates serving the church alongside his beloved wife, Grace Berry, as they both share a deep commitment to honoring the Lord through their musical talents and devotion to worship.