Hardy and Jill Jones began meeting in their home in D’Iberville in 2014. After receiving seven prophetic words in one year from prophets known and unknown to them, they moved into a storefront and birthed Southern Gate Church in 2015.
They have pastored three churches together and have served other pastors together. Hardy had pastored two churches prior to their marriage. God has used them mightily together particularly in the area of deliverance and inner healing ministry for a combined 50+ years.
Hardy retired from Bell South and has been a Real Estate appraiser and owned several home remodeling companies in the past. Jill is an RN with nearly 40 yrs of experience – she recently “retired”.
Their hearts yearn for people to experience the manifested Presence as they have with signs, wonders and miracles following. They pray for increased Awakening to come and for all to be a part of this Great Revival move of God on the earth before Jesus returns.
Their heart is for the body of Christ to: Get Free, Stay Free, and Get Others Free. – Galatians 5:1; as well as equipping the saints for evangelistic ministry “Outside the Four Walls” of the church.
Tasks
To serve under the leadership of Pastors Hardy and Jill Jones to 1) provide supportive leadership in the area of preaching, pastoral care, leadership develop, and overall spiritual growth of the congregation, and 2) to do anything deemed necessary to serve the church.
Biography
Torey Staten is a native of D’Iberville, MS where he broke the single game rushing record in MS in 2001 and still holds the all time leading rushing record at D’Iberville High School. He got a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. He earned his Master degree from San Diego University in Rehabilitation Counseling. He is currently in his 3rd year studying with Benny Hinn Institute.
Angeles Staten is a native of Kansas City, MO. Torey and his wife, Angeles Staten are Regional Vice Presidents with Primerica where they help people get financially free.
They serve as Associate Pastors at Southern Gate Church where they help people get free, stay free and get others free. They are passionate about seeing people get completely set free financially and spiritually.
One of their favorite scriptures that fuels their passion is: The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. – John 10:10
Tasks
Mike and Ashley are the youth leaders, under the leadership and guidance of Pastors Hardy and Jill Jones and Associate Pastors Torey and Angeles Staten. Ashley helps run the Nursery and Children’s ministry on Sunday morning and Mike is currently developing a Monday night youth ministry program for pre-teens and teenagers. They also help serve by organizing volunteer activities and outreaches both inside and outside the four walls of Southern Gate Church. Their hearts are to serve God, their pastors, their church family, and to be effective and impactful in spreading the gospel. Their focus is training up children and teenagers to serve God, share His Good News, and to walk in power and authority knowing their identity in Jesus Christ.
Biography
Michael and Ashley are both native to the Gulf Coast area, hailing mainly from Biloxi. While Mike spent some of his childhood years in D’Iberville, and Ashley spent some in Ocean Springs. They both have known Senior Pastors Hardy and Jill Jones for over 20 years with Ashley even being baptized in their home when she was a teenager.
Mike serves on the leadership team for Liberty Ministries, a men’s drug and alcohol recovery program that is also an outreach of Christian Services Inc. in downtown Hattiesburg MS where Mike also manages the Soup Kitchen. Ashley has been employed in the coast tourism industry for 16 years and also holds a real estate license. They are both also licensed with Primerica under the leadership of Pastor Torey and Angeles Staten. Mike and Ashley are passionate about teaching and training up young people having three girls of their own. Ultimately everything they do is about getting free, staying free, and getting others free.
One of their favorite scriptures that fuels their passion is: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery. – Galatians 5:1