Montana Southern Baptist Convention Executive Director Search Committee:
Greg Payton
Lead Pastor & Church Planter, The Rock Church – Laurel | Chairman, Executive Director Search Committee
Greg Payton surrendered to full-time Christian service at the age of 15 and has been serving in ministry for over two decades. After earning a business degree from the University of Oklahoma, Greg followed God’s call into ministry, attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He began his vocational ministry as a Children’s Pastor in Oklahoma before moving to Montana in 2001 to plant what would become The Rock Church in Laurel, where he has served as Lead Pastor for the past 24 years.
Greg served as President of the Montana Southern Baptist Convention from 2021 to 2023 and is currently the Chairman of the Executive Director Search Committee. For him, this search is deeply personal and pastoral. He believes the right leader will not only strengthen the Convention but help unify churches across Montana to make an even greater gospel impact. Having served across generations and in multiple roles, Greg is passionate about helping churches thrive in both mission and leadership.
Greg and his wife, Patty, live in Billings and have four children: Tanner (29, married to Lexy), Nathan (26, married to Alexis), Josh (23, married to Jessica), and Paislee (8). They also have two grandsons and one more on the way. Greg is an avid fly fisherman and has volunteered with organizations like Trout Unlimited, Casting for Recovery, Lat45° Adventure Ministries, the Federation of Fly Fishers, and the Christian Motorcycle Association.
Randall Jackson
Pastor, Choteau Baptist Church – Choteau | President, Montana Southern Baptist Convention
Randall Jackson has been in ministry since 1990, serving churches across Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee before God called him to Montana. His connection to Choteau began in 2005, when he led a mission team from Nashville to help with sanctuary remodeling and Vacation Bible School. He had no idea at the time that God was preparing his heart to one day pastor that very church.
In June 2017, Randall, his wife Becky, and their daughter Alena moved to Choteau, while their son Bailey remained in Nashville. Originally from Mississippi (Randall from Sturgis, Becky from McComb), the Jacksons bring a rich background in ministry, music, and education. Randall holds degrees from Mississippi State University (B.S. in Agricultural Economics), New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Reformed Theological Seminary (D.Min.). Becky previously recorded with Word Records as a Christian music artist (Becca Jackson).
Randall currently serves as President of the Montana Southern Baptist Convention, where his steady leadership and servant-hearted vision continue to strengthen churches and leaders across the state. As president of the Montana Southern Baptist Convention, Randall has a front-row seat to the opportunities and challenges facing churches across our state. He sees the Executive Director role as vital to encouraging pastors, equipping churches, and mobilizing Montana Baptists for mission. For him, this search is about raising up a leader who will serve with humility, vision, and a heart for the gospel.
Curtis Crow
Pastor, The Bridge – Belgrade | Vice President, Montana Southern Baptist Convention
Curtis Crow has been faithfully serving in ministry for 31 years. After five years as a youth and associate pastor at Kirkwood Baptist Church in Bozeman, he planted The Bridge in Belgrade, where he has pastored for the past 25 years. He currently serves as Vice President of the Montana Southern Baptist Convention, helping lead the charge toward a stronger, mission-minded future.
Curtis believes this search is vital to the health of our churches and the future of our state. He is passionate about helping identify an Executive Director who will lead with vision and purpose—especially when it comes to reaching and empowering the next generation.
He and his wife, Lisa, have been married nearly 39 years and are proud parents to three children and grandparents to seven. Before pastoring full-time, Curtis worked as a professional farrier for three decades. These days, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and cruising Montana highways on his Harley.
Darren Banek
Director of Operations, Easthaven Baptist Church, Kalispell, MT
Darren Banek brings a unique blend of spiritual depth, business insight, and administrative excellence to his role as Director of Operations at Easthaven Baptist Church in Kalispell. With a degree in Business Management from Corban University and a professional background in various business settings, Darren joined the staff at Easthaven in 2014 after nearly a decade of faithful volunteer involvement. He has become a trusted leader in both church operations and strategic planning.
Born in Alaska to missionary parents serving with Arctic Missions and raised in Oregon, Darren accepted Christ at an early age and has pursued a life of intentional faith and service ever since. His clear-headed wisdom, financial acumen, and thoughtful decision-making have made him a vital voice in the Montana Southern Baptist Convention.
Darren and his wife Carly were married the day after graduating from Corban in 2002. They’ve been part of the Easthaven family since 2005 and love spending downtime with their two children, Owen and Olive.
Jeff Cahill
Pastor, Valley Community Church – Miles City
Jeff Cahill has served as the pastor of Valley Community Church in Miles City since 2006. Before moving to Montana, he led a large Sunday School department and regularly preached in a supply role. Jeff carries a deep burden to see the gospel taken down every road and street in Montana—one life and one community at a time.
Jeff and his wife, Michelle, have been married since 1991. They have two grown children: a son, John his wife Skyler, and their two boys; and a daughter, Kelli, her husband Ben, and their son.
JT Coughlan
Senior Pastor, Set Free Ministries – Great Falls
Pastor JT Coughlan has served in ministry for 35 years and currently leads Set Free Ministries in Great Falls. Known for their bold, no-nonsense approach to the gospel, Set Free lives up to their motto: “We are not your mama’s church.”
Caleb Groteluschen
Lead Pastor & Church Planter, Capstone Church – Helena
Caleb Groteluschen has served in ministry for 19 years and currently leads Capstone Church in Helena. Born and raised in the Rocky Mountain West, Caleb carries a deep love and burden for Montana and its people. For him, helping select the next Executive Director of the MTSBC is a meaningful way to serve the wider mission of the gospel across the region he calls home.
Caleb met his wife, Courtney, while attending Hardin-Simmons University in Texas. He later earned a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also serves on the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, contributing to the broader vision and leadership of Southern Baptists nationwide. Together with their four children, Grayson, Lyla, Harper and a fourth arriving this summer, the Groteluschens enjoy life in the West—especially when it involves the outdoors, fly fishing, sports, or a plate of Texas BBQ and tacos.
Mark Hasenyager
Lead Pastor & Church Planter, Explore Church – Missoula
Mark Hasenyager has served in full-time ministry for 35 years and has spent the past 21 church planting in Montana. He currently leads Explore Church in Missoula, where he continues to invest in raising up new disciples and leaders with a vision for both local and global gospel impact.
For Mark, the health and future of the church in Montana is closely tied to the development and empowerment of local leaders. He’s passionate about seeing Montana shift from being a primarily receiving state to becoming a sending state—one that equips and releases disciples, church planters, and missionaries to reach the world for Christ.
Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Mark is an avid outdoor enthusiast. He and his wife have three daughters and recently welcomed their first grandson—a new adventure they’re thrilled to embrace!
Zane Officer
Pastor, Libby Baptist Church | Volunteer Associational Mission Strategist | Pastor Care Team | Renew MT Team Member
Zane Officer has served in ministry for 16 years—13 as a pastor and 3 as a missionary. For the past nine years, he has faithfully led Libby Baptist Church and works closely with the Glacier Region Network of Churches. Zane also serves in several volunteer leadership roles within the Montana Southern Baptist Convention, offering encouragement, care, and strategic input across the state.
Zane’s heart beats for the cooperative mission of Southern Baptists. His own ministry has been deeply enriched by relationships built through the MTSBC, and he is passionate about helping pastors, churches, and future leaders grow in their commitment to both cooperative giving and cooperative going. With a humble spirit and a deep love for God’s people, Zane believes Montana is poised for significant gospel impact—from its smallest communities to the ends of the earth.
Zane and his wife, Jasa, have six children. Together, they enjoy the outdoors, cheering for Utah sports teams, and life in the Northwest, where Zane's roots run deep as the product of two cattle ranching families.
Jim Taber
Lead Pastor & Church Planter, Gracepoint Church – Billings
Jim Taber has served in ministry since 2001, holding roles in student, worship, and executive ministries. In 2012, he helped plant Gracepoint Church in Billings—a vibrant, gospel-centered community known for its dynamic worship, authentic discipleship, and deep commitment to reaching the next generation. Jim currently serves as Lead Pastor and Church Planter, guiding a thriving and growing church that has become a model of effective ministry in Montana.
Born and raised in Montana, Jim carries a deep love for his home state and a contagious passion for the next generation. Whether he’s preaching, mentoring young leaders, or dreaming about how the church can better engage the culture, Jim brings both theological depth and practical wisdom to every conversation. His leadership voice is highly valued across the MTSBC, especially when it comes to shaping ministry that resonates with emerging generations.
Jim earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies from Corban University and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Theology from Trinity Seminary. He and his wife Brandi have been married since 2001 and have two sons, Jeremie (b. 2010) and Mason (b. 2011). When he’s not leading at Gracepoint, you’ll likely find him enjoying Montana’s outdoors—hunting, fishing, training labrador retrievers, or slow-smoking some real BBQ with a mug of strong black coffee in hand.