About Southside’s Servant Leadership

In the 1980’s, Southside embraced the Biblical concept of plurality of elders. Cloyd Young, Dickey Richard and Jaden Allen currently serve our church body as elders. The pulpit ministry is also shared with other men in the congregation. The elders, the deacons, those who serve in music ministry, Sunday School teachers, and other servant leaders seek to work together in a spirit that honors the Lord. We continually wait upon the Lord for the raising up of future leaders.

Elders

Jaden Allen has served as an elder at Southside since May of 2020. He and his wife, Rhiannon, have been married since October 3, 2015 and have four young children.

Jaden was saved by the grace of God as a child through the faithful witness of his parents and was baptized at Abundant Grace Church in Becker, Minnesota. While attending Southside Baptist Church as a senior in high school he received a calling/desire from God to be a pastor. That calling was confirmed by the local church body at Southside over years of discipleship and hands-on ministry.

He attended Pensacola Christian College where he graduated with a B.A. in Pastoral Ministry and a minor in English.

He served in various volunteer roles at Southside before becoming the Pastor’s Assistant in 2018. He was ordained as an elder by Southside in May of 2020. When James Bell stepped down from his role as lead elder/pastor on May 4, 2025 Jaden was received by the church as the lead elder/pastor.

Cloyd Young has served as an elder at Southside since July of 2016. He and his wife, Sally, have been married since July 25, 1964. 

Cloyd was saved by the grace of God as a teenager through the television ministry of Cathedral of Tomorrow and was later baptized in Wadsworth Baptist Temple in Canton, Ohio and surrendered his life to gospel ministry. 

He attended Tennessee Temple College & Bible School and then Manahath School of Theology where he graduated with a B.A. in Bible and a minor in Biblical Languages and Psychology.

He has served the Lord in ministry at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Claysburg, Pennsylvania as pastor from 1968-1970 and then as Assistant Pastor and School Principal from 1975-1978. He served as principal of Grace Baptist Academy from 1968-1969. He also worked for Accelerated Christian Education as a Ministry Trainer and Educational Consultant from 1969-2003. He served as interim pastor of First Baptist Church of Pinellas Park, Florida in 2003. He then served as principal of Southside’s school from March of 2007 through August of 2008.

Dickey Richard has served as an elder at Southside since July of 2016.

Dickey was saved by the grace of God at the age of 5 while attending a Presbyterian church. He was later baptized as an adult at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, Louisiana. 

He graduated from Centenary College of Louisiana with a B.S. in Education and went on to earn a Masters in Physical Education from Louisiana Tech University. 

He has served the Lord in various church bodies for 57 years as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher. He was ordained by Summer Grove Baptist Church of Shreveport, Louisiana.

Deacons

The word "deacon" means servant, a man who pursues some ministry or service. The deacons at Southside are appointed by the elders, all having been led by the Holy Spirit and after consultation with the church body. They are ordained by the elders and fellow deacons. They are appointed to oversee over the business of the church, in order that the elders may be free to give themselves to prayer and ministry of the Word.

The deacons serve under the direction of and are responsible to the elders. The difference between the deacon and the elder is related to gifting and appointment by God at a given time in the life of an individual. Deacons are faithful male members of this local church who have demonstrated their faith in Christ as Savior. The potential deacon will be evaluated as to his lifestyle according to the qualifications given in I Timothy 3.

The following men currently serve the church body at Southside as deacons: Jeff Galloway, David Hulme, Adam Troutt, James Poteete, Devin Perdue, and Mark Hendrickson.

Music Ministry

Adam Troutt oversees the music ministry at Southside. He works with the elders each week to select appropriate songs and Scriptures to be sung and read during the Sunday morning worship service that go along with and support the text which will be preached from that morning. He also oversees special music and organizes the songs for our Sunday evening worship services every fourth Sunday.

Bradley Pennington leads the choir and congregational singing.