Our Elders
Brent Lents
Brent grew up in Benton while his wife, Beth, was a missionary’s daughter born in Beirut, Lebanon. They have been members since they moved back to the area in 1990. They have two adult children, Constance and Gordon, who live in Lexington, KY. Brent is the Technical Manager for Arkema Inc., and Beth is the Supervisor of the Paducah Regional Office for the Kentucky Division of Air Quality. Brent has been an elder since 2016 and is involved in church finance and classroom teaching.
Doug Lyles
Doug has attended Benton church of Christ all of his life, along with his family. He and his wife, Gail, were married in 1976. They have three children, Dr. Adam Lyles, Dr. Aaron Lyles and his wife, Dr. Tosha Lyles, and Krista Vincent and her husband Jared Vincent. Doug and Gail are grandparents to 6 girls, Addison, Avery, Cambelle, Cameron, Annabelle, and Claire and 2 boys, Austin and Liam. Doug is a retired school teacher from Marshall County High School after 30 years, and Gail is retired from Morgan, Trevathan, & Gunn Insurance in Benton, KY. Doug enjoys his part-time landscaping business and traveling, as well as spending time with his family. Doug’s areas of service are our Youth and Family ministry, missions, and teaching Bible class. It is his desire to see the Benton church “praise God in spirit and truth as we fellowship with one another, provide for the needy, and seek and teach the lost.”
Matt Ross
Matt is married to Kim Ross and they have two sons, Travis and Logan. Logan is married to Katy Holmesly Ross, and they have one son named Reid and one daughter named Landry Jo. Kim teaches the 3 year old class at our KidsFirst Preschool program, and Matt is a used car and internet manager at Leon Riley Ford in Benton. Matt’s areas of service are worship, finance, and missions. Matt and Kim have been members of the Benton Church their entire adult lives.
Cory Westerfield
Cory has been attending Benton church of Christ since 2001 along with his wife Jodi. After growing up in Evansville, Cory attended Murray State where he received his teaching degree. Cory and Jodi were married in 2000 and have two daughters, Kylin and Adley. Cory has been teaching and coaching in Marshall County 25 years. Jodi has worked in the community since 2000 and currently works with Hendrickson Wealth and Retirement. Cory has attended Western Kentucky Youth Camp since he was 10 years old. He has been a camper, counselor, and dean of men and remains passionate about the spiritual growth of our youth. As an elder, his areas of emphasis are new members and the college ministry.
Lonnie Woodruff
Lonnie began attending Benton church of Christ in 1968 when he and his wife, Sherry, were married. They have 2 daughters, Holley Webb and Haley Chambers. Holley is married to Jamie Webb, and Haley is married to Scott Chambers. They have 3 grandchildren: Brooke Webb, Brady Webb, and Logan Chambers. Lonnie served the Benton congregation as an elder from 1990 to 2006 and again resumed the duties of an elder in 2013. Lonnie is a retired school teacher, and Sherry is a retired beautician. Sherry enjoys doing volunteer work for the church, while Lonnie enjoys participating in various activities relating to the Lord’s work. He has written two books: Revelation for Christians Today and Eden To Eden. They both enjoy spending time with their grandchildren.
Our Deacons
Scott Chambers – Widows
Chris Gunn – Middle & High School
Randy Jackson – Widows
Jason Jones – KidsFirst
Jeff Jones – Children’s Education
Aaron Lyles – 5th grade & Under
Jared Morgan – Foreign Missions
Jason Perry – Prison Ministry
Luke Phillips – Building & Grounds
Scott Phillips – Technology
Jerry Sells – Library & Christian Scholarship
Don Walker – Special Events
Our Ministers
Mark grew up in Odessa, TX and graduated from Freed-Hardeman University in 1997 with a B.A. in Bible and Masters Degree in Ministry. He is married to his wife, Rhonda, and they have five boys: Matthew, Nathan, Alex, Cole, and Graham. He began his work in Benton in May of 2012.
Sam Umstead, Youth Minister
Sam and his wife, Abby, began their work with Benton in June 2022.
Our Staff
Taylor Odom, Secretary
Taylor is a native of the south side of Chicago in Oak Forest, IL. She is married to Justin, a Fairdealing, KY native, whom she met while he was stationed in the Air Force. They have two daughters, Emerson and Adeline. Taylor and Justin began worshiping with Benton in the spring of 2014. Taylor serves as secretary and KidsFirst preschool teacher at Benton church of Christ.