Meet the Pattons
We have a new face leading worship. He is familiar to some, not to others. When asking Jake what he has been doing with his time this spring, he will answer, “ivy.” The Pattons returned to Huntsville after four years in St. Louis, MO where Jake studied for his Masters of Divinity (MDiv) at Covenant Seminary. They have settled into a home that needs much yard love which Paige and Jake have embraced. The Pattons’ love of outdoor activities finds them pulling ivy, mowing, trimming shrubs, putting in a vegetable garden or just playing with Laci (2 ½) and Luke (10 months). While life in Huntsville looks different from their first time here, it feels like home.
Jake came to Southwood as a single fellow just out of Covenant College in May 2000 to be the intern for the youth, but after a summer here, committed to staying on as staff and ran the youth program with volunteers until Ken Leggett arrived in May 2001. Feeling called to a formal education in the ministry, Jake and his bride Paige moved to Covenant and quickly found community through the seminary. Living by Paige’s brother and wife who were finishing seminary helped them feel at home in St. Louis. When interviewing at a church last fall and being concerned about the leadership model and staff he met with, Paige said to Jake, “stop looking for Southwood somewhere else because you won’t find it (leadership, collegial staff, community).” Now that they are back in Huntsville, the Pattons are adjusting to life with two little ones and a new home. Jake has jumped into youth ministry full-force with a winter retreat, mission trips, youth interns and summer planning on his docket. Paige is enjoying time with other moms and creating a home that welcomes those who stop by as well as getting to know her neighbors. So when you see the Pattons, let them know how glad you are to have them back in the Southwood community…ivy and all.