Bishop Doug and Kelly Swindle have faithfully served as the Senior Pastors of Velvet Ridge Church of God since September 1993. Bishop Doug holds a Doctorate in Ministry from Christian Covenant Academy in Miami, Florida. He has served on the Arkansas Church of God State Council and as an instructor for the Ministerial Internship Program (MIP), which trains ministers for ordination, along with many other notable accomplishments. His passion is to see souls won for the Kingdom of God.
Sis Kelly teaches a women’s class every Wednesday evening and actively participates in many other areas of church life. Together, Bishop Doug and Sis Kelly lead Velvet Ridge with wisdom, dedication, and a heart for God’s work, inspiring and guiding the congregation with their vision and experience.
Robert is an Ordained Bishop in the Church of God with over 10 years of experience in various areas of ministry, including music, children’s ministry, youth, and more. His passion is to help teenagers discover their identity in the Kingdom of God, and he works tirelessly to guide them on their spiritual journey. Kayla leads the girls’ ministry at the church and also assists Robert in shepherding the youth.
Robert and Kayla became the youth pastors at Velvet Ridge in June of 2021. Since then, they’ve been blessed with two more children, expanding their family to six. Together, they are dedicated to impacting the lives of the next generation and fostering a loving, faith-filled environment for their church family.
Our Ministry Team is made up of eight devoted couples who work alongside our pastor to meet the needs of the congregation. With a heart for service, these couples are committed to supporting and caring for the church family, offering guidance, prayer, and practical help wherever needed. Whether it’s providing support during times of difficulty, organizing church events, or simply being a listening ear, this team is dedicated to ensuring that every member of our congregation feels loved, valued, and supported.