Pastor Steve serves as Senior Pastor of Valley Harvest Ministries. His call into the Ministry came during his college years at Bluefield State College where he was majoring in Music. He transferred to Emmanuel College and School of Christian Ministries in Franklin Springs, Georgia where he received an Associate of Arts Degree in Ministerial Studies. (He will tell you the greatest thing he received in Franklin Springs was his wife, Shelia.) Pastor Steve’s education continued with a B.S. Degree from Southwestern College in Oklahoma, and a Master’s Degree in Church Growth from Southwestern University.

Pastor Shelia serves as the administrator for Valley Harvest Ministries. There are many things that make her a great candidate for that role but probably the greatest of these is 45+ years of experience in marriage and ministry alongside Pastor Steve. Coordinating church activities, bringing various ministries together to reach common goals, orchestrating ways to pursue the vision, keeping the church calendar, leading the Praise & Worship, giving Godly counsel, cooking, cooking, cooking……these are all things you can find Shelia doing around VHM. Some churches call them the “first lady” but Shelia is affectionately known as “the Queen.”

Pastor Steve, Shelia, and their daughter Mandy, accepted God’s beautiful call to Valley Harvest Ministries in July of 1994. They have since added their son-in-law, Rick, to the family along with two beautiful grandchildren and their spouses, Elijah, Vicky and Savannah and a great-granddaughter, Reyna. They have been married for over 50 years and still radiate their love for each other and the ministry they share together.

Pastor Steve and Shelia serve tirelessly to fulfill God’s calling in their lives. They each have a burning desire to impress on every person’s heart the eternal importance of salvation. They press forward with a concentrated intent to proclaim the Word of God, with purpose and desire – that every person in the New River Valley has the opportunity to choose Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. In their first years here, Valley Harvest Ministries grew from an average of 70 in worship service to over 200 and is still growing. God has truly blessed Valley Harvest Ministries with these two spiritual leaders that through the Lord’s guidance and wisdom have transformed Valley Harvest Ministries to this incredible and fun church!

Perry Slaughter has been serving the people of Valley Harvest Ministries since he became a member in 1999. Currently, he’s our Associate Pastor, but has also been a big part of the Pastor’s Council, the Evangelism Explosion ministry and served as a Wednesday School of Faith teacher. Even though we often hear him exclaiming “I’ll be honest with you…” he would not divulge his childhood nickname and how he came about it. Instead we submit to you, gentle reader, the fact that we call him “the Prime Minister” because we have seen his love for God and people and his passion for pastoral care and discipleship first hand. We are so blessed to be able to share with him.

Perry and his lovely wife, Theresa, have been married for over 38 years and have two grown children, PJ and Jackie,  son-in-law, Ray and grandsons, Trey and Ethan.

Pastor Derick and Crystal serve as the Family Life Pastors of Valley Harvest Ministries. They were called into the Ministry in 2009, where they served as Youth Pastors. They, along with their daughters, Grace and Kayleigh, accepted God’s call to Valley Harvest Ministries in 2012.

Pastor Derick is a graduate of Maranatha College of Christian Ministries with a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Education and from Advantage College of Christian Ministries with a Master’s Degree in Ministry.  In 2017, Pastor Derick graduated PRIMUS University of Theology with an earned Doctorate of Ministry in Leadership and Church Growth. He is now the full-time Administrator of Valley Harvest Christian School.

Pastor Crystal works full-time as a registered nurse and part-time as Principal of VHCS. She is a graduate of New River Community College with an Associate’s of Applied Science in Nursing degree.  Pastor Crystal continued her education by obtaining her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Jefferson College of Health Sciences, Master’s of Nursing Education from Liberty University. and Doctorate of Nursing from Grand Canyon University.

Within the role of Family Life Pastors, Pastors Derick and Crystal oversee our teens and young adults’ ministries. They are focused on reaching the lost, discipling the believer, and growing the church through reaching teens, young adults, and young families. 

Pastor Walter and Yvetta became members of Valley Harvest in 2009. Pastor Walter called into ministry over 25 years ago and received an Associate of Theology degree from Charles Harrison Mason Bible College.  He has served the people of VHM as a member of the pastor’s council and the deacon care team, the prayer team and new members class teacher.  

Yvetta accepted the call of the Lord to teach, empower, motivate and encourage his people, through the teaching of the word God. She serves as the director of women’s ministries, teaches women’s bible study, is a member of the deacon care team, the prayer team, and serves on the mission’s counsel and teaches new member classes.

They have been married for over 39 years and are the proud parents of two adult children Tiffany and Chris, and daughter-in-law, Rachel, and a grandson.

Connie became a member of Valley Harvest Ministries in 1997. Connie has worked with children, in some capacity, during much of her adult life, including being a Daycare Provider in her home. Her love for children is well known and appreciated by the parents of VHM. Most of our parents will tell you the children cry when it’s time to leave Connie, not when they are left in the Nursery. Connie has been a staff member since 2000 and has brought many exciting changes to our Nursery Department during this time. She created and implemented age appropriate nurseries, a new playground, the Parent Alert System, and many safety procedures appreciated by both parents and children. In addition to administrating the nursery, Connie also serves as an office assistant for VHM and VHCS. Her and her husband, JT, enjoy spending time together and with their large family!

Pam is the Administrative Assistant at VHM and VHCS. They have been married over 40 years, have a son, Nathan, his wife Stacy, and 4 grandchildren! They help wherever they are needed and love their VHM family!