We are excited about the direction of Fellowship and know that God is preparing us for wonderful things ahead.
Our leadership team is supported by a wonderful group of volunteer ministry team-leaders, community group leaders, and coaches. We are big fans of team-based ministry. We believe the burdens and blessings of ministry should be shared, and we should all participate in the work and the rewards of serving God’s kingdom. Now, let's introduce you to our staff!
Ben Pukas
Lead Pastor
Ben was born in the amazing city of Tampa, Florida where he was raised and received a love for the beach and the outdoors. He ended up staying in Tampa to get his degree in finance and economics at the University of South Florida, and to this day remains a die-hard Bulls fan. During his time at USF, he felt God calling him away from the business world and into the ministry world. Ben became a student pastor for Grace Community Church in Brandon, Florida, and a year and a half later moved to Dallas, Texas to be trained in the fellowship at Watermark Community Church for 10 months. Ben has a huge heart for students and for them to see that the abundant life is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ and that following Him can be fun and fulfilling, not boring and restricting.
Ben is not married but hopes to one day have a family. He has a German Shepherd puppy, and she is like his child, and as such, is his family.
Ben loves playing and watching sports of all kinds, but doing things with people is what gives him the most joy. Whether watching movies (favorite movies are The Notebook and Remember the Titans), playing games or sports, or just talking, it doesn’t matter as long as he’s with the people he loves.
Courtney Dawson
Local Outreach Pastor
Courtney Dawson was born and raised in McRae, Arkansas. Growing up, she attended church but did not have a real passion to surrender her life to Jesus. That all changed when she and her husband, Rodney, had their first daughter. God gave Courtney a clear message at that time, "You can't give her what you don't have.", and she knew that she wanted her daughter to grow up personally knowing the One who created her and loved her. She received Jesus' grace and was blessed to be mentored by women in her local church who fostered in her a love for studying and teaching God's Word and a love for serving people.
Since then, she has spent the last 20 plus years teaching ladies bible classes, leading ladies' retreats, organizing VBS, leading food ministries and service projects, coaching her daughters' basketball teams for 10 years, and volunteering with her family at the local nursing home for 10 years.
Courtney is passionate about discipleship and showing compassion to those that are hurting, overlooked, and ignored.
In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading, watching movies, and enjoying good food with friends and family. Courtney lives next to her in-laws' cattle farm in Judsonia, Arkansas, with her husband Rodney and their two girls, Rachel and Anna.
Jasmine Harris
100 Families Case Manager
Jasmine was born and raised in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She graduated from Three Rivers College in 2018 with an Associates Degree in General Education. She moved to Searcy in 2021 and began attending Fellowship.
Jasmine is not married but does hope to be with kids one day. She enjoys being an Aunt/God-mom to 10 kids. In her free time, she enjoys singing, painting, exploring nature, and spending time with family.
