Leadership Team

Rev. Billy Jones – Pastor

Billy Jones has been pastor of EBC since 2003. Although born in Jacksonville, he grew up in Alabama, graduating from Gordo High School. After being called to the ministry, he studied theology at Andersonville Theological Seminary. He pastored several churches in Alabama before becoming pastor at EBC. His wife, Tammy, is the pianist and primary accompanist at EBC as well as the teacher of the Renaissance class. They have three grown children, two granddaughters and five grandsons.

Hank McLeod – Worship Leader

Hank McLeod has served as the Worship Leader at Englewood Baptist since 2009. A “Navy brat,” he was born elsewhere, and moved several times before finally moving to Jacksonville to stay at age 5, so Jacksonville is truly his hometown. He graduated from nearby Englewood High School and has degrees from what is now known as Florida State College and the University in North Florida here in Jacksonville, including a Bachelor of Arts in Music.  He is husband to Jennifer, who sings in and plays percussion in the church Praise Team and directs the Children’s Ministry. They currently share their home with two cats and a dog.

Jennifer McLeod - Children's Ministry

Jennifer McLeod has served as the Children’s Director at Englewood Baptist since 2009. She also sings and plays percussion in the church Praise Team. A Florida native, she moved to Jacksonville at age 3. She graduated from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and has degrees from what is now known as Florida State College and the University in North Florida here in Jacksonville, including a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education.  In addition to the Children’s Ministry, she is also a mortgage underwriter for an international bank. She is married to Hank, the church Worship Leader. They currently share their home with two cats and a dog.

Joshua Weeks - Youth Director

Joshua Weeks has been youth director of EBC since 2022. He is a third generation Jacksonvillian (Jaxsons). He Graduated Eunice Christian Private School (Homeschooled) and also received Associates in Arts degree from Florida State Community College. He and his wife, Ashley, have one daughter and are expecting another baby soon.

Rev. Laverne Otárola – Ministerio en Español

Laverne Otárola nació en San José, Costa Rica. Es tercera generación de cristianos en su familia. Es graduado de Escuela Secundaria y dibujante de arquitectura en el Colegio Técnico Profesional de Calle Blancos. Ha sido Ministro del evangelio desde 1985 (en Costa Rica, California y Jacksonville) y Ministro Hispano de EBC desde 2022. Él fue ordenado al santo ministerio en la Iglesia Bautista Misionera Ebenezer y es graduado en Bachiller en Teología en el Seminario Bautista Misionero de Guadalupe, ambos en San José, Costa Rica.