Hayden Family

Lead Pastor

Deanna Hayden

Originally from San Diego, Deanna graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University with a B.A. in Philosophy/Theology.  Following God’s call to cross-cultural ministry, she spent 2 years ministering in South Korea, and then moved to the Kansas City area to attend Nazarene Theological Seminary.  There, she met and married Ben Hayden, and both graduated from NTS with a Master's of Divinity.  Deanna was an associate pastor in the inner city of Kansas City for 3 years before coming here to Southwood Church as the Executive Pastor, where she served in that capacity for 2 years.  She was ordained as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene in 2010 and became the Lead Pastor here in September of 2011.  She has a passion in ministry for diversity and reaching the community!

Ben is a hospice chaplain and a chaplain with the Air Force Reserves.  Deanna and Ben have two children:  Josiah, born in 2008, and Hannah, born in 2010.  Their family loves to go to the park together for picnics, walks, swinging, and getting wet at the spray park!  Ben enjoys golfing and grilling, Josiah loves anything involving water, and Hannah loves to play with her books and Josiah’s toys.  Deanna’s favorite hobby is going to a coffee shop with a good book or a friend.

Deanna loves the Lord and feels privileged to serve God here at Southwood.  She believes life lived in the center of God’s will is a constant adventure, and loves to come alongside of others as they find their place in this exciting Story of God!

Deanna can be reached at:

Office: 353-5121 ext 2

E-mail: PastorDeanna@southwoodchurch.org