Gary Starbuck

Pastor Gary Starbuck grew up in Kansas City, MO and holds a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Missouri. He came to Open Door in 1981, having just completed the master of theology program at Dallas Theological Seminary. Gary and his wife, Peggy, have three grown children: David (married to Tara), Beth (married to Rob Palmer), and Joy (married to Evan Leister). His passions include studying the Bible and building into the lives of those who desire to walk daily with the Living God. In addition to pastoring, Gary is committed to world missions. He has served for many years on the boards of Arab World Ministries, AWM International, Pioneers, and Memphis Sidewalk Counseling. He enjoys spending time with his family, camping, reading, traveling, and working out.

Daniel Jones, Jr.

Daniel Lee Jones Jr., Elder at Open Door Bible Church, was born in Memphis, TN. He first came to Open Door in 2002.

Daniel came to faith in Christ on a Sunday morning in Sultan, WA, after a sermon his Dad preached that morning. Growing up in church, he knew he was a sinner, but something was different that day. He had the head knowledge his whole life, but that day he asked Jesus to save him. Daniel is the oldest of 9 children, and he and Brandy have 4 of their own: Isaac, Caleb, Bella and Elliott.

Daniel enjoys playing soccer and other sports, working out, and eating! He is the only person to coach a winning season of the Open Door softball team. 😎

Stephen W. Dee

Steve Dee was born in Iowa City, IA, and has lived in Philadelphia, PA, Davenport, IA, Denver, CO, and Toledo, OH. Steve and his family first attended Open Door in 1988, and have been members ever since.

Steve was saved as a Sophomore in college while being discipled by a fraternity brother at Miami University, Oxford OH. He later transferred to the United States Air Force Academy, and there met many members of the Navigators, plus Air Force Chaplains who helped him mature in Christ.

Gloria and Steve were married in the Chapel at USAFA in February of 1978. They have 3 children—Jonathan, Elizabeth (married to Greg Lesley), and Matthew (married to Rachel). And they are blessed with three grandchildren.

Steve is a member of many groups oriented toward aviation: The Experimental Aircraft Association, (local Chapter 182), The Auxiliary Powered Sailplane Association, The Soaring Society of America, and The Soaring Safety Foundation. His favorite ways to relax are riding mountain bikes and flying light aircraft and gliders.

A fun fact about Steve that you might not know is that when he was 14, he could legally fly long before he could legally drive!

Shane Blackburn

Originally from Memphis, TN, Shane & his family currently live in Hernando, MS.

Shane’s grandparents started coming to Open Door along with his Mom before he was born. She continued to attend later as an adult, so Shane has been coming since he was born.

One evening, Shane was spending a night with the same grandparents who attended Open Door. He had heard the message of the Gospel growing up, and after a discussion about it, and a few questions with his grandmother, he made the decision to place his faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

Shane is married to the wonderful Ruth Blackburn, and they have three (also wonderful) children: Ethan, Norah, and Esther. His favorite way to relax is playing music (when he has the opportunity). He plays the guitar, bass, and drums.

Shane loves to travel and try local food.

Jason M. Henry

Jason Henry, Deacon at Open Door Bible Church was born in Butler, PA, but moved around to many places because his dad was in the military. He has been in Memphis now since the late ’90’s. He came to Open Door when he was teaching Seth Flores at Faith Heritage Christian School. He and Bethany began attending the Wednesday night prayer services while their two older boys attended AWANA. Jason was asked to come on as the church pianist a few years later.  

Jason was raised in a Christian home and attended Christian school most of his school life. He heard about Christ's death and resurrection many times and thought he had accepted Christ into his life at an early age. He had many, many doubts as he was growing up. He spent a week at the Bill Rice Ranch between his junior and senior years of high school, and decided to give his life to Christ at that point. Jason will tell you he can't say that he has never doubted since then, but he knows that Christ saved him, and He tells him that if he has faith in Him, He will save him. Jason’s remind us that salvation is based on God’s Word and not our feelings.

Jason met his wife, Bethany, at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, when he was there as a freshman. They began dating his junior year, and were married on August 5, 1995. Jason & Bethany have three children — all three boys. Nathaniel, their eldest was born in 1998 and is attending Bob Jones University, majoring in Business Administration. He hopes to own his own Firehouse Subs someday. Their middle child, Benaiah, was born in 2001. He graduated from high school in 2019 and plans on attending BJU. He will be majoring in Criminal Justice with a double major in Christian Studies. Their youngest child is Jason, but he goes by his middle name, Isaiah. He was born in 2009, attends Central Baptist School (where Jason is the junior/senior high English teacher), and is in the fifth grade.

Jason loves to play the piano. Playing has always been a way that he can de-stress. He also enjoys reading a good non-fiction book.

When asked what odd fact about himself others might know, he said: “I have one leg that is longer than the other that causes me to have a pretty definite limp.”

William B. Moss

With his usual humor, Elder Bill Moss, when asked what his position was, gave this: “far right, Elder, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, Tigers fan, Republican, heterosexual, Protestant, Caucasian, pathologist.”

Bill is a Memphis original, born at Methodist Hospital, 658 Stonewall St., and first came to Open Door Bible Church in 1954.

Bill was saved at a Billy Graham Crusade in 1952 at Crump Stadium. He and his mother both went forward and received Christ as their Savior.

Bill’s father and mother were Thomas C. Moss (also a pathologist) and Ernestine Parke Moss. He remembers his mother as a nurse and housewife, church organist, secretary and Sunday school teacher.

Bill and his wife, Kathryn A. Moss, were married in 1960. She was raised in Illinois, and is descended from two outstanding Christian families — the Hillyards and Brocketts.

Bill & Kathryn have three sons. Their oldest son, Bobby Moss, graduated from LeTourneau College. He was beginning an airline pilot career, when he was hit by a drunk driver in 1985 at the age of 24. He passed into the presence of Jesus and is now in heaven. Their second son, David W. Moss, graduated from MSU on a baseball scholarship. He is now an optometrist, and has 4 children: Amber D. Toulson, Britany A. Lewallen, Aaron Moss, and Britany N. Moss (adopted). The Moss’ third son, Steve Moss, is a computer programmer. He also went to MSU on a baseball scholarship. He and his wife, Renee, have two children: Baylor Moss and Sydney Moss.

Bill enjoys relaxing with a good game of golf. He also enjoys yard work, and is a fan of Tigers football & basketball. Fun fact about Dr. Moss: he is a Facebook commentator, specializing in off-beat humor and an occasional serious theological treatise — and he admits that he is a “world class snorer.”