OUR STAFF
John Mark Simmons – Pastor jms@hhbcnv.org
Pastor John Mark came to Highland Hills in 1990 joining a core group of about 15. He is a native of Oklahoma and a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, Southwestern Seminary and Golden Gate (now Gateway). Pastor John Mark and Debbie met at Southwestern and have been married for over 30 years. Debbie is an MK (missionary’s kid) from South Korea and claims North Carolina as her home state. The Simmons' have three adult kids – Davis, Reese and Brooke (and son-in-law Cody). The Simmons enjoy eating all things Mexican and homemade burgers, as well as watching sports.
Matt Johnson - Associate & Youth Pastor mjohnson@hhbcnv.org
Matt joined the Highland Hills family in the Fall 2020. He is a native of Southern California, and asks you don't hold that against him. Matt is a graduate of Gateway Seminary (aka Golden Gate), where he received his Master of Arts in Educational Leadership. He has served churches in several capacities including youth pastor, VBS director, children's ministry leader, Baptist association staff and chair stacker. In addition to he has also taught courses including Ministry to Children and Youth for Calvary Chapel Bible College's online program. Matt, his wife Becca, and their daughter live in Henderson.
Mykkyla Renteria - Worship Leader
Mykkyla joined the Highland Hills Family in 2021. She was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada and graduated from Sunrise Mountain High School in 2013. She has been serving worship ministry since 2010 with her many musical talents such as Singing, Guitar, and Bass. Mykkyla also choreographed many "Devotion in motion" projects with youth and children's ministries. Outside of church, Mykkyla has been working as a patient care coordinator since 2018 and runs her own Etsy store selling her crochet projects. Mykkyla has been married to her husband OZ (a former student of Pastor John Mark) since 2013 and together they have three children Elisiana, Izabella, and Little Oz. Mykkyla enjoys spending time with her family and will not hesitate to grab her guitar and worship at any time. "I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful and I know that full well." Psalm 139:14
Teresa Arnold - Children's Ministry Director tarnold@hhbcnv.org
Teresa has been blessed to be able to work in Children's Ministry for the Past 20 years. She has been the Children's Ministry Director for HHBC since Summer 2021. She is also involved with HHBC's Mission Team. Teresa is married to Dave, they have two sons and two grandchildren. The Arnolds moved to Nevada in 2016 from Northern California to be with their younger son.
Caroline Morrison - Financial Secretary/Ministry Assistant caroline@hhbcnv.org
Caroline and her family started attending Highland Hills in 2012. Caroline grew up in a military family and moved to Las Vegas in 1988. Caroline is a graduate of Faith Lutheran High School in Las Vegas and has a bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Phoenix. She has worked as a Bookkeeper and Accounting Administrative Assistant for over 17 years. She and her husband Chris have been married for over 25 years and have two teenage children. McKenna and James and their very sassy dog Macie (German Shepherd, Black Lab mix). Chris and Caroline love spending time watching their kids in all their activities which include Robotics, Sports and Music.
Joani Weller - Ministry Assistant/Publications jweller@hhbcnv.org
Joani is a native of Villa Park, IL who moved to Las Vegas in 1977 where she raised her family. She originally came to HHBC in 1992 as the first church secretary and stayed until 2006 when she was called to Kentucky. After 17 years of service in a Kentucky church she has been called to return to Nevada to be close to her children and grandchildren (4 adult children and 6 grandchildren). She has over 30 years of ministry experience and has a heart for the homeless and those in recovery.
