Church Staff
Byron Benson
Pastor
Byron and his wife, Melanie, came to East End in July, 2017 after serving in music ministry for thirteen years. He has been involved in and led various ministries over the past twenty-four years. Byron was ordained to the gospel ministry by New Salem Baptist Church in 2011. He received his bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry from Blue Mountain Christian University in December of 2023. He and Melanie live in Caledonia with their two beautiful daughters, Claire, 21, and Lily, 15.
Jacob Davis
Youth Minister
Born and raised in West Point, MS, Jacob was saved when he was 9 years old during Vacation Bible School at First Baptist Church in West Point. Jacob was highly involved in the youth group including a part of the leadership team. He graduated from Oak Hill Academy in 2020, and began attending Mississippi University for Women. During his time there he felt a call to youth ministry during the spring of 2021. Jacob surrendered to ministry and became the interim youth minister at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. After serving there, the Lord lead him to East End Baptist Church where he has been since February of 2023. Jacob is blessed to serve along his wife, Anna Kate. Jacob looks forward to continuing serving at East End and allowing God to grow the youth spiritually.
Heather Dees
Children’s Minister
Heather’s walk with the Lord started at the age of 9, when she asked the Lord to be her Savior. She was baptized at her home church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, in Columbus, MS. Throughout her life the Lord gave her opportunities to serve Him in the church, community and the classroom. She surrendered to the call of ministry at the age of 25. Heather, along with her husband Marty and her children Madison, Samson, and Hadley-Ruth, joined EEBC in 2006. Since that time her family has served in many ways at EEBC. She graduated from Mississippi University for Women with an English degree. Currently, she serves as the office manager for Harding Catering in Caledonia, MS.
Tonya McDaniel
Preschool Director
Tonya got saved at the age of 10 during VBS in Mobile, AL. She moved to Columbus in 7th grade. She is a graduate of Lee High School and has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the Mississippi University for Women.
She grew up at Antioch Baptist Church in Columbus where she worked in the nursery. She and Russ have been married since 1992, they’ve been members of East End since 1998, and have 3 kids: Matt (26) lives in Tupelo, Greg (23) lives in Horn Lake, and Abbey (15) attends Caledonia High School.
Tonya has worked in the East End children’s department pretty much from day one. She has volunteered in the nursery, taught Sunday School and Mission Friends, been the AWANA Cubbies director, directed the pre-school choir, and also taught children’s church.
Christie Tyndall
Ministry Assistant
Christie was raised in Ellisville, Mississippi. She received her Bachelors degree in Business Administration from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She has been in the ministry since 1996 as a ministry assistant. She began her ministry at East End in October 2015. She has been married to her husband, Lawrence, since 1997. She is also a proud Nana to two boys and one girl. Her hobbies include reading, glue books, Star Wars, Star Trek, card making and music.