ministry staff
Our ministry staff is here to help you connect to God through our Lord Jesus Christ, to the truth of God's Word that will transform your life, and to the community of faith called First Baptist Church. Feel free to contact any minister on our staff, and they'll do their very best to help you.
Jeff Reynolds has served as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church since January 2016. He believes in the absolute truth of God's Word and the absolute power of God to transform anyone's life through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His constant goal is to help people trust and follow Jesus in every moment of life, so he seeks to help people see the connection between real faith and real life whenever he can.
Jeff and his wife, Erin, are Bowling Green natives and are excited to raise their two children, Griffin and Reagan, as part of this vibrant and growing community. He has a B.S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from Centre College and an M.Div. and Ph.D. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
David Tooley has served as Executive Pastor of First Baptist Church since June 2017. He oversees the stewardship of church personnel, finances, and facilities. He is passionate about making disciples of Jesus Christ, and he seeks always to ensure that God's resources are handled with the utmost in care and strategic investment.
David and his wife, Sally, have been Bowling Green residents since they entered Western Kentucky University in the 1990s. They have four children: Nate, Peter, Anna, and Sophia. David has a B.A. in Corporate and Organizational Communication with a Business Administration Minor from Western Kentucky University and a Master of Divinity in Christian Education from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Ricky Clark has served as Minister of Music at First Baptist Church since January 2017. He provides leadership to our various music ministries and helps to lead the church in worshiping God together. He is passionate about worship and pastoral ministry, and he has served various churches for many wonderful years of ministry. He has previously served as President of the Tennessee Baptist Church Music Conference and the West Tennessee Ministers of Music, and he is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and the Baptist Church Music Conference.
Ricky and his wife, Sandra, come to First Baptist Church from Jackson, Tennessee, and they are the parents of two adult children. He has a Bachelor of Music in Sacred Music from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee and a Master of Church Music from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Lauren Parish has served as Minister of Children at First Baptist Church since October 2021. She leads our children's ministries, helping children and families trust and follow Jesus during some precious and challenging years. She is a creative and energetic communicator, and she seeks to use a variety of teaching styles, a well-planned curriculum, and strong relationship building to maximize learning opportunities with children. She is passionate about missions, and she encourages children and families to engage in local and global missions opportunities.
Lauren has a B.A. in Music and Christian Ministries from Anderson University, and she has served as a Journeyman with the International Mission Board and in several children's ministry roles within Southern Baptist churches, associations, and camps. She is currently pursuing a Master of Theological Studies from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
T.J. Renfro has served as Minister of Students at First Baptist Church since June 2023. T.J. grew up and began his journey with Christ in Lexington, Kentucky, where he and his family attended Southland Christian Church. He came to WKU, got involved with the Christian Student Fellowship on campus, and began attending First Baptist Church. Through his service in the Student Ministry, University Ministry, and ROC at First Baptist Church, God made it clear to T.J. that he is called to full-time ministry, specifically working with students and families. He is committed to helping students understand and live out the gospel message in every part of their lives.
T.J. has been married to Anna since July 2023. He has a B.S. in Sport Management from Western Kentucky University, and he is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Discipleship from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Alex Watkins has served as Minister of Adult Discipleship & Missions since February 2024. He provides leadership to our adult ministries ranging in age from Young Adults to Senior Adults - and everything in between. He is passionate about making disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, and he seeks to ensure that every group, class, and member of First Baptist Church is focused on carrying out the Great Commission both at home and abroad.
Alex is married to Meghan, and they have three wonderful children named Jude, Samuel, and Naomi. Alex has a B.S. in Business Management from Western Kentucky University, a Master of Arts in Religion from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry in Christian Leadership from the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Vicky Donelson has served First Baptist Church in various roles since December 2000, and she serves currently as Minister of Childhood Development. She oversees all aspects of ministry through the Child Development Center at First Baptist Church and also provides general oversight of the Emmanuel Daycare Center. Vicky loves to see children grow both spiritually and physically, and she loves to see the pureness of their beliefs and the unconditional way they love and worship God.
Vicky and her husband, Andrew, have two daughters, Rachel and Katie Grace. Vicky has a B.A. with an emphasis in Letters from the University of Oklahoma (Boomer Sooner!) and an M.Div. in Pastoral Care and Counseling from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Additional staff
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Elliot Beckley
technical director
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ANdy Lindsey
Facilities Manager
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Andrea Nance
Pianist
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Bryson Richey
Organist & Music Ministry Assistant
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Beth Whitfield
Accounts Manager
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