Pastoral Staff
Kirk Bookout
Interim Pastor
With joy, I am serving as Interim Pastor at South Meridian Church of God. This is our home church, which makes it a special privilege. My wife, Debby, and I have been at South Meridian for about 25 years and are blessed to be a part of this remarkable church.
I was born and raised in Anderson (A Madison Heights Pirate!); I went Anderson College. I pastored three churches over 28 years, have served as Associate Director of Ohio Ministries, served at Church of God Ministries for 12 years, and then Children of Promise for about 8 years. My position had me traveling on weekends over 40 Sundays a year. I consider it one of the great blessings of my life to see the church in different places, different styles, and yet all desiring to serve Christ in the United States and around the world. It has helped me grow.
My wife, Debby, teaches English and French at Daleville High School. We met at Anderson College and have been married for 52 years. She is originally from West Virginia. We have two children living in the area.
After retiring from Children of Promise, I have served as an Interim Pastor. South Meridian is my 10th. I find satisfaction in running. I have run six marathons since my 60th year. At home, I enjoy housework, cooking, and even doing dishes. I sometimes enjoy donuts and try not to!
With joy, I am serving as Interim Pastor at South Meridian Church of God. This is our home church, which makes it a special privilege. My wife, Debby, and I have been at South Meridian for about 25 years and are blessed to be a part of this remarkable church.
I was born and raised in Anderson (A Madison Heights Pirate!); I went Anderson College. I pastored three churches over 28 years, have served as Associate Director of Ohio Ministries, served at Church of God Ministries for 12 years, and then Children of Promise for about 8 years. My position had me traveling on weekends over 40 Sundays a year. I consider it one of the great blessings of my life to see the church in different places, different styles, and yet all desiring to serve Christ in the United States and around the world. It has helped me grow.
My wife, Debby, teaches English and French at Daleville High School. We met at Anderson College and have been married for 52 years. She is originally from West Virginia. We have two children living in the area.
After retiring from Children of Promise, I have served as an Interim Pastor. South Meridian is my 10th. I find satisfaction in running. I have run six marathons since my 60th year. At home, I enjoy housework, cooking, and even doing dishes. I sometimes enjoy donuts and try not to!
Michael Anderson
Worship Pastor
I am a child of God and a disciple of Jesus Christ who loves the Lord and His Word, the music of the Church, and leading the Church in worshiping the Lord. I was saved at the age of five, and at the age of thirteen I was baptized.
I’ve been singing solos in church from a young age, started playing guitar at eight, and began piano at the age of eleven. I attended Anderson University (Anderson, IN) where I studied music and graduated with a Music Business major. I have been a worship pastor for over 30 years at churches in Florida, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.
My wife, Dawn, and I have both grown up in the Church of God and are both ordained ministers. We have three adult children and two grandsons.
I am a child of God and a disciple of Jesus Christ who loves the Lord and His Word, the music of the Church, and leading the Church in worshiping the Lord. I was saved at the age of five, and at the age of thirteen I was baptized.
I’ve been singing solos in church from a young age, started playing guitar at eight, and began piano at the age of eleven. I attended Anderson University (Anderson, IN) where I studied music and graduated with a Music Business major. I have been a worship pastor for over 30 years at churches in Florida, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.
My wife, Dawn, and I have both grown up in the Church of God and are both ordained ministers. We have three adult children and two grandsons.
Cherilyn Horning
Community Development Director
I am thankful to have called this neighborhood home since 2003, where my husband Jason and I have raised our two daughters. The opportunity to join the South Meridian team in 2021 has been a joy to me, as I have been able to intentionally connect with the neighborhood and the congregation in new ways.
Our community is full of gifted and unique people, and I am grateful to be able to be a friend and neighbor to so many of them. I have spent 20 years serving in the non-profit sector of Madison County where I have loved finding ways to connect people and organizations. I am honored to help build community in and with this neighborhood.
I love coffee and a good conversation – connect with me for either or both of those!
I am thankful to have called this neighborhood home since 2003, where my husband Jason and I have raised our two daughters. The opportunity to join the South Meridian team in 2021 has been a joy to me, as I have been able to intentionally connect with the neighborhood and the congregation in new ways.
Our community is full of gifted and unique people, and I am grateful to be able to be a friend and neighbor to so many of them. I have spent 20 years serving in the non-profit sector of Madison County where I have loved finding ways to connect people and organizations. I am honored to help build community in and with this neighborhood.
I love coffee and a good conversation – connect with me for either or both of those!
Andrew and Beth Davidson
Children's Ministry Co-Directors
Support Staff
Lisa Ragsdale
Office Manager
I’m Lisa Ragsdale and I am happy to have served part-time as the Office Manager at South since 2020. South Meridian has been my home church all my life. I feel very blessed to use my background in business administration and event planning, as well as my lifetime in the church, to give back in this season. South Meridian has been so formative in my spiritual development over the years, and it is fulfilling to me to help that continue for others.
In addition to my paid job, I love serving on the worship team, the Design Committee, and in Youth ministry. My family is core to my heart – my husband, Jim, Stephen and Christy, David and Morgan, and my grandson, Noah. Those that know me best, know that I am driven by my relationships: with God, my family, friends, and my church. Oh, I can’t forget my sweet goldendoodle puppy, Millie!
I’m Lisa Ragsdale and I am happy to have served part-time as the Office Manager at South since 2020. South Meridian has been my home church all my life. I feel very blessed to use my background in business administration and event planning, as well as my lifetime in the church, to give back in this season. South Meridian has been so formative in my spiritual development over the years, and it is fulfilling to me to help that continue for others.
In addition to my paid job, I love serving on the worship team, the Design Committee, and in Youth ministry. My family is core to my heart – my husband, Jim, Stephen and Christy, David and Morgan, and my grandson, Noah. Those that know me best, know that I am driven by my relationships: with God, my family, friends, and my church. Oh, I can’t forget my sweet goldendoodle puppy, Millie!
Shelly Houser
Bookkeeper and Administrative Assistant
I was born and raised in Anderson, Indiana, and then spent 25 years in Tampa, Florida. I moved back to Anderson in 2012 to marry my beloved husband. Together we have two adult children and one grandchild. I came to South Meridian with 35 years of accounting experience. Most recently, I worked for a non-profit corporation that sponsors African HIV/AIDS Orphans. My time there gave me a heart for serving not only those abroad, but those in my own community.
When I am not in the office, I am Mama/Gran to three chihuahuas, two birds, and one grand-dog. I enjoy cooking, baking, table scaping, horticulture, and kayaking. My heart overflows with joy when I have a home full of family and friends to share my gift of hospitality with.
I was born and raised in Anderson, Indiana, and then spent 25 years in Tampa, Florida. I moved back to Anderson in 2012 to marry my beloved husband. Together we have two adult children and one grandchild. I came to South Meridian with 35 years of accounting experience. Most recently, I worked for a non-profit corporation that sponsors African HIV/AIDS Orphans. My time there gave me a heart for serving not only those abroad, but those in my own community.
When I am not in the office, I am Mama/Gran to three chihuahuas, two birds, and one grand-dog. I enjoy cooking, baking, table scaping, horticulture, and kayaking. My heart overflows with joy when I have a home full of family and friends to share my gift of hospitality with.
Hope Russell
Administrative Assistant
When I graduated from Anderson University, I planned to use my degree to directly help people. Sometimes a degree prepares us for life as much as for a career. One thing I’ve been involved in has been Celebrate Recovery. Through CR, my heart opened to people of every walk of life. Indirectly, Celebrate Recovery led me to South Meridian through friends who were attending here. I’ve tried many churches over the years, but God kept calling me back to South.
To me, ministry is doing the things that bring someone relief of their burdens. I feel like my ministry working at South has been varied, but I so love it. Whether it’s offering a listening heart, scheduling something in the calendar, making a graphic to promote an event, or taking a prayer request, I feel like that’s part of my ministry.
When I graduated from Anderson University, I planned to use my degree to directly help people. Sometimes a degree prepares us for life as much as for a career. One thing I’ve been involved in has been Celebrate Recovery. Through CR, my heart opened to people of every walk of life. Indirectly, Celebrate Recovery led me to South Meridian through friends who were attending here. I’ve tried many churches over the years, but God kept calling me back to South.
To me, ministry is doing the things that bring someone relief of their burdens. I feel like my ministry working at South has been varied, but I so love it. Whether it’s offering a listening heart, scheduling something in the calendar, making a graphic to promote an event, or taking a prayer request, I feel like that’s part of my ministry.
Tom Anderson
Building Manager