About Us
John Curtis
John became the pulpit minister at the 7th & Beech congregation in August, 2001, when he, his wife Joy, and daughter Julie, moved to Durant.
John is a native of Nashville, Tennessee. He and Joy met at Harding University in Searcy, AR and married in June, 1970. They have three wonderful children. Their oldest son John Mark, and his wife Charice live in Mansfield, TX and have two beautiful children, Zachary & Anna Claire. Julie, their daughter, still lives at home. Jonathan, the youngest, his wife Courtney, and handsome Dax live in Edmond, OK.
John attended Harding University, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Bible (1970), and later Harding Graduate School of Religion, where he received an M.A.R. degree in Ministry (1989). He has served as a youth & education minister, missionary, associate minister and preacher in churches in Sherman, TX; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Jackson & Southaven, MS; and Pauls Valley, OK.
Ever since his youth, John has had a great love for Christian camping. He has filled several different roles in some 35+ camp sessions and served on the Board of Directors for three camps – Acampamento Monte das Oliveiras, Sardis Lake, and Pettijohn Springs.
Layne Heitz
Layne Heitz moved to Durant in the summer of 1997 and served as the campus minister at SOSU until the fall of 2009. It was at that point he was offered a full time faculty position in the mathematics department at Southeastern. Wanting to stay actively involved in ministry, he also accepted a part time position as family minister with the 7th and Beech congregation.
Layne has served as a youth minister, a missionary, and a campus minister. He loves to sing and teaches each summer at the Alva School of Music in Alva, Oklahoma. He also teaches singing seminars, preaches when needed, and takes groups on various campaign efforts both stateside and abroad.
Layne is married to April who serves as the secretary for the 7th and Beech congregation. The Lord blessed them with two fantastic sons. Joshua, 22, is a computer programmer in Amarillo, Tx and is married to their wonderful daughter-in-law Callie. Bregan, 20, is a business/finance major at SOSU.
Layne loves to hunt and fish and is working on his Ph.D. in his spare time.
Jake Hudson
Jake Hudson serves as the Campus Minister at the 7th & Beech Church of Christ in Durant, OK. He was married to Ashley in 2002. They have three children: Rylee, Kadence, and Ezekiel “Zeek”.
Jake currently holds a Bachelor of Science in Bible/Ministry from Amridge University and is currently persuing his Master of Divinity.
Jake and Ashley have worked with congregations in Oklahoma City, El Reno, and Madill. Jake also served as a Chaplain’s Assistant in the Oklahoma Army National Guard for 8 years.
Jake enjoys spending time with his wife Ashley and their three children as well as fishing, studying, and teaching the Word of God.
Joshua Watkins
Joshua Watkins was born and raised in Durant, OK attending the 7th & Beech Church of Christ. Being very involved in the work of the church at a young age helped form his decision to become a preacher in the Lord’s church.
He left Durant to attend Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, TN to receive an Bachelor of Arts of Biblical Study and is currently attending Harding Graduate School of Religion in Memphis, TN for a Master of Arts of Christian Ministry.
Josh has been involved in full time ministry for the past three years at Mars Hill Church of Christ in Leapwood, TN while interning as a youth minister for two summers at the Hollywood Road Church of Christ in Houma, LA and one summer for 7th & Beech Church of Christ as an Associate Minister intern.
Josh started working for the Capitan Church of Christ on January 1, 2010 and is very excited about what the future has in store for the church in NM.
