 Dr. Edwin JenkinsPhone Number (256) 232-0602 Email contact form |
Dr. Edwin F. Jenkins came to serve at First Baptist Church on May 1, 2006. He came to Athens from Montgomery, Alabama where he had served the Alabama Baptist Convention State Board of Missions for nearly 10 years. He was the inaugural Director of the Office of Leadership/Church Health and the Founding Director of the Alabama Baptist Center for Leadership Development. In his ministry as a state missionary, he and His wife, Joan, traveled across Alabama and beyond offering leadership, consultation and speaking in numerous churches. It was, in part, the deep love the Jenkinses had for the local church that led them to accept the call of First Baptist Church of Athens to return to the pastorate. Dr. Jenkins served as local church pastor for 24 years prior to serving at the Baptist State Convention. He has been an adjunct faculty member of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary since 1997. Edwin and Joan are the delighted parents of three grown children and six grandchildren. Edwin and Joan feel that the calling and passion of their lives is to seek and follow God's desire, God's design and God's direction in all that they are and do. They are totally convinced that the local church is God's chosen instrument for gathering His people to Himself. |
 Joe TealPhone Number (256) 232-0602 Email contact form |
Brother Joe came to First Baptist in June of 1999. He and his wife Bonnie have two children and six grandchildren. A former teacher, coach, and school administrator, Brother Joe has been keenly involved in church life for many years. It is his belief that it takes a family and a Bible believing, Bible teaching church working together to make the family all it can be and should be. Brother Joe enjoys time with his children and grand children as well as an occasional round of golf. One of his favorite verses is Romans 8:28. His favorite song is "Amazing Grace", but "In Christ Alone" is a close second. He and Bonnie have been married for 41 years. Bonnie is retired from the Boeing Company and enjoys her flower beds and being a full time grandmother. |
 Ryan LeffelPhone Number (256) 232-0796 Email contact form |
Ryan has been First Baptist's Minister of Music since October of 2004. He is married to Kelly and together they have two sons, William and Harrison.
Ryan received his Bachelor of Music degree from Oklahoma Baptist University and a Master of Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to coming to First Baptist, Ryan served as Assistant Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church of Montgomery, Alabama. At First Baptist, he supervises the overall music ministry, provides leadership to the music staff, directs and shepherds the Celebration Choir, Exaltation Student Choir, coordinates, plans and leads Sunday's worship services, and produces music-related events including a spring worship concert and Christmas productions including An Athens Christmas.
For fun, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family, exercising and shopping for antiques. |
 Larry HicksPhone Number (256) 232-1500 Email contact form |
Brother Larry became Minister to Maturing/Senior Adults at First Baptist in October of 2002 after being a member of the church since 1985. He was employed by Monsanto Chemical Company in Decatur for 34 years. He served in the local church for a number of years as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and on various committees. After his retirement from Monsanto, he felt God was calling him into full time ministry. His personal mission statement is “To use every opportunity to bring honor and glory to the Lord Jesus”. Brother Larry and his wife, Linda, have been married for 45 years. They have two children and three grandchildren. Since her retirement from the Athens City School System, Linda has become a Master Gardner, has renewed her interest in sewing and cross stitching, and loves her job as full time grandmother. |
 Stan YoungPhone Number (256) 233-7777 Email contact form |
I surrendered to full-time ministry in 1999. I got my under grad in Human Resource Mgt. at Troy in 94. I went to Southwestern Seminary in 98 where I studied Religious Education. I have been married for almost 10 years (July '99) to my beautiful bride, Stephanie. God has blessed us with 2 incredible girls-Maddox (4-yrs old) and Brookelyn (9 months). I love being a daddy! I love sports-golf, basketball, football, baseball. I am a huge Auburn fan! Some of my biggest influence in my spiritual walk have been: My mom and dad. The more I minister to students, the more I realize how truly blessed I am to have two of the finest Christians I know. Mark Cahill-for challenging me to be obediant to God through everyday witnessing. Dr. Bill Henard-he gave me a chance early in my minstry to serve God. I have always considered our relationship to be that of Paul and Timothy...and he was the first person to take/teach me to play golf!!! I was called to FBC Athens on Nov.1 2008. I love the students here at Athens. They have such an eagerness to follow God's heart! |
 David CarterPhone Number (256) 233-5878 Email contact form |
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