CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING AT VILLAGE CHURCH!
LEADERSHIP
STAFF
Erik Estep
Senior Pastor
James Ballew
Worship Minister
James has been the Worship minister at VillageChurch since May 2008. He graduated with a BA in Music from the School of Music at the University Of South Carolina. He is married to Lauren Ballew whom he met while leading worship at Camp Longridge in Ridgeway, South Carolina and they have been married since 2010. They have 2 girls, Raylee and Rilynn. James is also an avid Crossfitter at Crossfit Valor. His favorite verse is Philippians 4:13.
Hamilton Mathis
Student Pastor
Hamilton Mathis joined the Village Church staff as Student Pastor in November 2020. Hamilton graduated from Anderson University with a Bachelors of Arts in Christian Ministry and completed his Master’s of Arts in Christian Education degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2021. Hamilton and his wife, Allee, have been married since 2017.
Amy Paolucci
Children's Ministry Director
Amy was raised in Minnesota, graduating from St. Olaf college in 1997 with a BA in economics. She has a traveled extensively to include a one year exchange program in France, an internship at the American Embassy in Tunisia, and missionary trips to India and Thailand. Amy worked for a financial investment firm before moving to South Carolina. She is passionate about her relationship with Christ, her family, and the ministry at Village Church. Amy is married to her loving husband Ryan and they have three wonderful children, Paige, Grant and Reed who are all involved in the children’s ministry.
Dr. Wendell Estep
Staff Consultant
Dr. Wendell Estep
Staff Consultant
Many of you are familiar with Dr. Estep (Pastor Erik’s father) after seeing him preach on television as the pastor of First Baptist Columbia for 32 years. He grew up in Texas, served as a pastor for 50 years, and is the father of Stephanie, Erik, and the grandfather of 5. He and his wife, Lynda, have been a team for over 5 decades.
Toney Pressley
Building Superintendent
Bio coming soon!
Margaret Matthews
Administrative Assistant
Bio coming soon!
Stephanie Dinsmore
Finance Office
Bio coming soon!
Greg Butler
Business Administrator
Greg is the Business Administrator for Village Church. He and his wife Mandy grew up in Indiana, and along with their children, Shelby, Kailey, Evan, moved to South Carolina in 2006. Greg has been a Village Church member since 2009 and on Staff since 2024. He is an Army Veteran, a graduate of Oakland City University (BS), Indiana Wesleyan University (MS), and is currently pursuing an MA in Theological Studies from Liberty University.
Kelly Steelman
Director of Village Women and Village Kid’s Admin Assistant
Kelly grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida and moved to South Carolina on a full academic/athletic scholarship to Newberry College, where she met her husband Kevin. She got her Masters in International Business at the University of South Carolina and worked 6 years in International Marketing before staying home with their 2 children. She worked part-time during those years and volunteered at Village in various ministries.
Kelly served for 10 years with Bible Study Fellowship, including 4 as the Teaching Leader of the Columbia Evening Class, where she really gained a deep understanding of the Bible. In 2022 she accepted a position in the Children’s Ministry and helps with marketing and communication, Segway, events and the Good News Club. As a volunteer, she also oversees the Women’s Ministry, helps with Village Civics, Meal Ministry, and Palmetto Leads. She has taught Bible at Village Christian Academy in its first 2 years.
Kelly and Kevin are recently empty-nesters and are enjoying their adult children and dog Bruno. They love travel, pickle-ball, spending time with their Village friends and family and serving Jesus.
Jennifer Hanna
Children’s Ministry Assistant
Jennifer was born in Charlotte, NC but has lived in Northeast Columbia for most of her life. She graduated from USC and earned a B.A. in Early Childhood Education. Jennifer has been an active member of Village Church since 2008 and has served in the student and children’s ministries. Jennifer came on staff as Children’s Ministry Assistant in 2016 and feels truly blessed to work alongside Amy Paolucci and all the amazing staff at Village Church. Jennifer has been married to her husband Brantley for 27 years, and they are the proud parents of four daughters: Maddie, Mollie, McKenzie, and Macie. When not at church, Jennifer enjoys spending time with family and friends, doing crafty things, and being anywhere near the ocean.
Hughes Butler
Student Ministry Intern
Hughes graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2019. He has been a part of Village Church since 2018. He is currently attending Columbia International University, where he is pursuing a certificate in Bible. He loves Jesus, the Gamecocks, all things sports and fishing on Lake Murray. He is the nephew of Erik Estep and the grandson of Wendell Estep.
Macie Hanna
Student Ministry Intern
Macie graduated from Village Christian Academy in May 2024 and is currently earning her Associates Degree in Business Administration at Midlands Technical College. She and her family have attended Village Church since 2008 and she joined the Student Ministry team Summer 2024. Macie is most excited about growing the Middle and High School girl’s ministry and using Village’s social media platforms to expand outreach!
Anna Gillespie
Student Administrative Assistant
Anna has attended Village Church since 2018 and previously served on our team as an Intern during Summer 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as during the 2022-23 school year. She is earning her degree at The University of South Carolina majoring in Early Childhood Education.
