Dr. Tom Hover - Senior Pastor

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Dr. Tom Hover has been pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church since October 2007. Pastor Tom grew up in the Slidell/New Orleans, Louisiana area and was united in marriage to Michelle over 30 years ago; and he says they still get goose bumps when they are around each other. They have three daughters who are married and five granddaughters.

Pastor Tom has served as a full-time senior pastor for over 30 years and has pastored churches in Louisiana, Florida, Arkansas, and now here in Missouri . He was also a state Chaplain with the Arkansas Department of Corrections for four years and a Seminary Professor at Gulf Coast Baptist Institute and Seminary where he taught in the areas of Evangelism, Homiletics/Expository Preaching, and Communication Skills for five years.

His hobbies and interests are his wife Michelle, his family, Bible study, soul-winning, unique object lessons, reading, ventriloquism, professional puppets, grilling, racquetball, traveling, boating, and jet skiing.

Pastor Tom is a dynamic Bible-based pastor who has a deep love for people and the cause of Christ. He has a unique way in making the most complex things in God’s Word seem simple and interesting. Under his leadership, we at Oak Baptist Church continue to grow in spirit, love, unity, number, and in the Word of God.

Michelle Hover is currently church secretary and pianist of Oak Grove.  Even though she and Pastor Tom Hover are originally from Louisiana, they have had the privilege of serving in the gospel ministry for over 30 years in several Southeast and Midwest states.  Michelle holds a teaching degree in Elementary Education and has taught several grades over a period of ten years.

She and Pastor Tom enjoy serving the Lord and spending time with each other and their family.  They have three married daughters and five granddaughters in the Fayetteville, Arkansas area.

In her extra free time, Michelle enjoys playing the piano and sewing.

Philip Giacomelli (Music Minister), formerly of Southern Illinois, resides in Salem, Missouri with his wife Kristy. After graduating from Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, Missouri, with a Bachelor of Music Education, Philip and Kristy joined their family business in Salem. Philip serves as a Funeral Director at Wilson Mortuary, deputy coroner for Dent County, is the President of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, teaches Private Piano and Voice Lessons, and was recently called to the Music Ministry at Oak Grove Baptist Church. We look forward to serving Oak Grove Baptist Church and the community of Salem through this ministry. To contact the Music Department at Oak Grove by email: philipgiacomelli@yahoo.com. Phone: Please call the church office at 573-729-3523

Matt Parker resides in Salem, MO with his wife Jessica and their two daughters, Alivia and Rylee. Matt is an ordained minister, has a B.S. in Education and is currently employed at Iron Co. C-4 School as the junior high science teacher. To contact the youth department, go to ogbyfuel.com, ogfuel.com or email parker@ogbyfuel.com.

Suzy Sykes - Preschool & Day Care Director

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Hi, I am Suzy and I have the blessing of directing Noah's Ark Preschool and ChildCareCenter, located across from our WorshipCenter.  It is a ministry that opened in March of 1996. We are open Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We enroll: infants up to 12 yrs. old. Morning preschool classes for ages: 2 – 5 yrs. Preschool curriculum is the A Beka Book , which includes: phonics, number skills, learning games, bible stories and songs.

Daycare program is all day with a morning and after school program for latch-key children. Our summer program for latch-key includes, many outside activities and fieldtrips.

Annual inspections are made by the Missouri Department of Health and Sanitation, the Missouri Department of Safety and the Fire Marshall.

Noah' Ark provides a well-trained and loving staff to care for the children. With God as our director, our goal is to teach the promises of God and his love in a safe; structured environment. Our goal also is to encourage through creativity and nuture self-confidence, developing good social skills by having genuine respect for others.