Our Staff

• Education: Samford University, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary
• Experience: Founding Pastor of Green Valley Baptist Church, Henderson, Nevada, Preaching and Worship Consultant –The Baptist Sunday School Board
• Family: I’m married to Lori, proud father of Lauren and Gregory.
• What kind of music do you listen to?  Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, Keith Getty, Classic Hymns for Studying
• Do you have any hobbies?  I love martial arts and fitness exercise.
• Have you ever won anything? I won the Senior Men’s Southeast Regional US Taekwondo Sparring Competition in 2008.
• Why do you like Nashville First Baptist Church. Our people are kind, supportive, non-judgmental, encouraging, and loving.
• Do you have a life verse?  There are too many to list, but I love Exodus 14:14, Psalm 46:1 and 10, and Revelation 1:16.
• What’s the most incredible view you’ve ever seen?  Denali, Alaska (formerly known as Mount McKinley)
• Are you handy at repairing things? Are you kidding…just give me a power tool!
• Who did you first see live in concert? Rare Earth
• Have you ever been told you look like a celebrity? When I was younger, it was Michael J. Fox. A few years ago, people said it was Jeremy Renner. Do you agree? Both are nice comparisons — I’ll take them!
• Do you have a favorite season? I love the fall, especially October.
• What’s the one piece of advice you would give others about life? Trust Christ!
• If you could live to see one future event, what would it be? The Second Coming of Christ.

Education: Bachelor of Science in Music Business from Trevecca Nazarene University (2006)

Family: My husband, Benjamin, and I have a beautiful little girl named Evelyn. We love living in Nashville!

Where would you choose to live: by the ocean, in the mountains or in the woods? I would love to live by the ocean. The sound of the water and feel of the sand is to me the best kind of way to relax.

Have you ever won anything? Yes! I won a cruise. While on a cruise with my family, we entered a contest to win a free cruise at a later point, and our ticket was drawn. Cruising for free is an awesome way to vacation.

Do you have a favorite season? My favorite season is autumn. I LOVE the colors of the leaves and the crisp cool air. I wish it lasted a little longer.

What do you like on your pizza? All the meats! A meat lovers pizza with extra cheese and mushrooms. Yum!

What was your favorite TV show growing up? Reading rainbow was my favorite show with Levar Burton. I could follow that up with all the shows that came on Friday nights. TGIF – Family Matters, Boy Meets World, Step by Step, and Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper.

Education:  Oral Roberts University; graduated from Cameron University in OK, Business Administration; Military Schooling, US Army; Chaplaincy support; Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, TX; Master in Christian Education/Adult & Administration concentrations

Experience:  Harvard Avenue Baptist Church, Tulsa, OK; First Baptist Church, Lawton, OK;  University Baptist Church, Fort Worth, TX; Minister of Education/Outreach, Sandia Baptist Church, Albuquerque, NM; Minister of Education/Administration, Gambrell Street Baptist Church, Fort Worth, TX; Executive Pastor, First Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC

Family:   My wife’s name is Jackie, and we have two children, Philip Crow and Carrie Crow Thiele (husband is Jonathan).

Do you have a favorite book you’ve read? A. Lincoln: It’s healthy to read a biography regularly. We learn so much information, receive inspiration, learn from the lives of others, and retain illustrations/conversation details.

What is the most exotic vacation you’ve taken? Jackie and I traveled to Hawaii. We have never seen a more beautiful place with powerful Pacific Ocean waters, blue-aqua-green water, and incredible scenery. Jackie is ready to return…80’s in the winter.  wonderful!

What is your dream car? My 2005 black convertible Mustang that LOVES to go fast!

Do you prefer white, dark or milk chocolate? Bring on the milk chocolate with macadamia nuts!

Where would you choose to live? By the ocean, in the mountains or in the woods? In the mountains and woods near beautiful mountain streams and lakes. The hiking, community and closeness with God, and camping/fishing experiences are so good.

What is the one thing in this world you are most proud of? The opportunity to parent two incredible children. Jackie has been the best mother to our children, seeing them grow/mature into deeply committed followers of Christ and committed to lifetime marriage, helping others know Jesus. It doesn’t get any better. We thank God.

What’s your favorite fruit/vegetable? Strawberries…on top of pie crust with some Blue Bell vanilla bean ice cream and the best veggie in the world: chocolate. Oh, I can taste it right now!

How long have you lived in Nashville? Jackie and I are from Oklahoma; with a three-year military (US Army) tour followed by formal education completion (including seminary in Texas), we moved to Nashville FBC in 2006 from Charlotte FBC, North Carolina. We love middle Tennessee/Nashville, and we are so thankful God has given us this opportunity. Our children found spouses through our years in Nashville. God works all things together in His way for our best.

Have you ever been in a submarine? In a helicopter? Yes, a submarine in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii — and what an amazing experience! I wish every American could see three historical sites: Gettysburg, Pearl Harbor & Normandy/Omaha Beach, France. My father served in WWII, Bloody Omaha Beach, D-Day invasion. My father-in-law served in the U.S. Navy, WWII, Pacific. As for the helicopter — Yes, in Army service. What a thrill to fly in a Blackhawk, and a Huey while fighting range fires in SW Oklahoma, collecting hundreds of gallons of water to pour over a fire. Flying is the way to go.

Have you ever climbed a mountain? Yes, Pikes Peak on the west side, one of the “14-ers” of Colorado. It was a real kick! I’m ready to tackle the next one…with some altitude adjustment and training in mountain hiking.

Have you ever had any type of facial hair? The mustache was a real keeper – until my Jackie banned kissing.

Who was your most influential school teacher or Sunday School teacher, and why? I’m such a believer in the importance of raising children with the Bible, with great Bible teaching, and around adults of faith; I cannot be convinced otherwise. It makes a huge difference in our society. Charlie Farmer (boys ministry director) and Tom Coats (teacher and fishing mentor alongside my father) are two who implanted the Word of God in my life forever. I will always be thankful for them, and others, such as Larry Smith, our young adult Bible teacher at Fort Sill, OK, while I was in the military. He helped me prepare for being an ordained deacon and to later enter ministry.

Who was the most influential person in your life? My wife of 45 years; my parents; my uncle. They each had/have attributes needed to help others know Jesus: Faithfulness, prayer, love, kindness…the fruits of the Spirit. It’s also important to live in God as Isaiah 40.31 says, a verse my mother gave me in early military service, helping me be faithful: “But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint”.

What’s the one piece of advice you would give others about life? Trust in Jesus. Walk in faith. Follow the precepts of God in His Word. I’d love to share more with you…

What do you like on your pizza? Hawaiian flavors…Canadian bacon and pineapple. It’s the ONLY way to go

Education: Master of Art in Communication, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Family: Parents: Bill & Arline Towns. (My mom resides in Tennessee.) Brother: John, passed away June 2009, my cat, Bo, and a very large “adopted” family including 5 nephews and 2 nieces

Have you ever won anything? I once won a Bart Simpson sound alike contest on the radio. I won a t-shirt and free haircut.
Do you like chocolate? I am a fan of dark chocolate bark.

What is the best view you’ve ever seen? Driving into Sedona, AZ. It was absolutely breathtaking!

What is one of the most influential events in your life? Moving my parents to Nashville. There were so many miracles, and I saw God at work in so many ways in that transition.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? As of late, my favorite verse is Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep her in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon You because she trusts in You.”

Education:  Master of Church Music Conducting and Voice, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas; Bachelor of Music Education Trumpet and Voice, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma

Experience:  Park Hill Baptist Church, North Little Rock, Arkansas:  Worship Pastor (1989-2009); Mandarin Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida:  Minister of Music (1985-1989); Travis Avenue Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas:  Music Intern (1983-1984); First Baptist Church, Yale, Oklahoma:  Minister of Music (1976-1982).

Family: I am married to Gwenn Robertson Fitzpatrick and I have two children: Robert Sean and Melodie Marie.

Have you ever run a marathon? Yes, I have completed the St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon on two occasions in honor of Ian Miller and have run a good number of half marathons.

Have you ever climbed a mountain?  I am making plans and training to climb The Half Dome at Yosemite National Park later this year.

Do you have a favorite season? I am a summer guy.  I love the outdoors, hanging out at the lake or beach, and all kinds of water sports.

Have you ever skydived? No, but it is definitely on my list of things to do.

What Scripture is speaking to you most right now?: Zephaniah 3:17 – “The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

What is your favorite restaurant in Nashville?: The Cheesecake Factory and Germantown Café.

What is your favorite vacation destination?: The beach! Our family loves it.

Education: Bachelor Of Music from Belmont University with an emphasis in Commercial Vocal Performance

Experience: Worship Leader and Artist in Residence at Providence Church, Knoxville TN, Brentwood Baptist Church, Brentwood TN, FBC Morristown, Morristown TN, and Christ Presbyterian, Nashville TN. Staff Writer at Daywind Music Publishing.

Family: My wife’s name is Lena and we have a daughter named, Kennedy Lane.

The Scripture that is speaking to me right now: Isaiah 6:8

My favorite restaurant in Nashville: Anything BBQ or Mexican!

My favorite vacation destination is: Maui, HI

Education: Belmont University, Middle TN State University

Experience: Clinical Therapist, Author, Speaker – Nashville, TN; Counseling and Family Specialist – Tennessee Baptist Convention

Family: Married to Amber, blessed father of Drew and Caleb; two grandchildren

Do you have a hobby? ​I love to collect baseball and railroad memorabilia.

Do you have a favorite family memory? I loved coaching my sons in baseball and keeping lap/spilt times for my daughter when she ran the mile and two mile races in high school track.

Who has influenced you? Steve Haynes, my Young Life leader at Antioch High School, has been the most influential person in my life so far.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? My favorite verse is Joshua 1:8, “Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  Have courage!”

Education: B.A. in Oral Commutations, minor in Public Relations, Lipscomb University, 2009

Experience: Special Events Supervisor, Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Resort; Part-Time Front Desk Receptionist, Nashville First Baptist Church

Family: My wife Carrie and I have two children: Sadie and Samuel.

What was your favorite TV show growing up? To this day, I would still say M*A*S*H. As a kid, I would sit at the foot of my father’s chair, or in his lap, and we would watch it every week.

How long have you lived in Nashville? More than ten years. I was born and raised in Memphis.

What’s the one dish you absolutely, positively will never, ever eat? Boiled okra! I am from the South and there are a lot of southern foods I don’t eat, but boiled okra takes the cake.

Which museum is your absolute favorite? Which are you dying to go to? The Louvre Museum in Paris. It is so big that I need to go back to finish looking around.

If you could live to see one future event, what would it be? Haley’s Comet. As a child, I remember seeing it. When it returns in 2061, I will be 89 years old.

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 1996 from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri; Masters degree in Christian Education in 2003 from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas

Experience: I’ve been the Minister to Children at First Baptist Nashville since December 1, 2009. Previously, I served on staff at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas and Springfield Baptist Church in Springfield, Tennessee.

Family: My husband, Kyle, and I are the parents of two great kids – Jacob and Ava Lauren

Education: B.A. in Oral Commutations, minor in Public Relations, Lipscomb University, 2009

Experience: Special Events Supervisor, Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Resort; Part-Time Front Desk Receptionist, Nashville First Baptist Church

Family: My wife Carrie and I have two children: Sadie and Samuel.

What was your favorite TV show growing up? To this day, I would still say M*A*S*H. As a kid, I would sit at the foot of my father’s chair, or in his lap, and we would watch it every week.

How long have you lived in Nashville? More than ten years. I was born and raised in Memphis.

What’s the one dish you absolutely, positively will never, ever eat? Boiled okra! I am from the South and there are a lot of southern foods I don’t eat, but boiled okra takes the cake.

Which museum is your absolute favorite? Which are you dying to go to? The Louvre Museum in Paris. It is so big that I need to go back to finish looking around.

If you could live to see one future event, what would it be? Haley’s Comet. As a child, I remember seeing it. When it returns in 2061, I will be 89 years old.

Education:  Bachelor of Science, Journalism, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio

Experience:  Community Relations Director, Hope House Mission, Middletown, OH, (2011 – 2015); Greater Cincinnati Director, Y2Marketing (2001-2010) Communications Associate, United Way of Greater Cincinnati (1988 – 1991); Public Relations Specialist, St. Francis Health Care Centre, Green Springs, Ohio (1983 – 1987)

Family: I am married to Greg and we have two sons: Alex (married to Ashlinn) and Adam

My Life Verse is: Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

My favorite restaurant in Nashville is: The Standard at the Smith House

My favorite vacation destination is: Any iconic destination I’ve yet to discover!