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Dr. Ray Miller comes to First Baptist after serving as Senior Pastor at Crievewood Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Prior to serving at Crievewood, he pastored in Shawnee, Oklahoma and Mertens, Texas. Dr. Miller earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Languages from Oklahoma Baptist University, Master of Divinity at Baylor University Truett Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Northern Seminary in Lyle, Illinois, where his doctoral thesis was entitled, “Christ Weeps With Us.”

 

Ray and his wife, Sarah, have four daughters, Abigail, Katherine, Emma Jo, and MacKenzie. He loves golf, basketball, and anything related to Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Marvel.

Mike joined the staff in 1996 as Pastor for Young and Median Adults and then in 2004 moved into the administration role. In addition, Mike oversees technology in the church, including the website, all print publications, and digital publicity.

 
Prior to joining the staff in 1996, Mike served in Baptist student ministries at San Jacinto College, Texas Wesleyan College, and Baylor University. A native of Snyder, Mike is a graduate of both Texas Tech University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Patti, are the parents of three children; Katie and her husband, Luke Palmer and sons Liam, Kohen, Jude, and Jones; Blake and his wife, Sarah and son Henry; and Brett.
 
Mike enjoys playing golf, tennis, throwing darts on the church Dart Baseball Team, and cooking.

John came to First Baptist at the beginning of 2008 to begin his work as Pastor for Missions. John was raised in the Houston area before attending Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He served as a youth pastor in Lorena, Texas, and for 13 years at Williams Trace Baptist Church in Sugar Land, Texas.

 
John and his wife, Beverly, have three children Marshall, Collin and wife Libby, and Nathan.

Todd is a native Texan and the son of a Baptist pastor.  He graduated from Alamogordo (NM) High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in music education from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri in 1982.  He completed a Master of Music degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1985.

 

Todd met his wife, Michele, while a student at William Jewell.  She was also a music education major.  Todd and Michele have two children:  daughter, Mackenzie, and son, Landon and wife Katie, and daughter.  Todd was ordained to the Gospel Ministry in 1985.  He lists his interests as being coaching, golf, and computers.

 

Before coming to Abilene, Todd served at First Baptist Church, Henderson, Texas, for over six years and has served full-time as Minister of Music in the following churches:  First Baptist Church, White Settlement; First Baptist Church, Grapevine; and First Baptist Church, San Marcos.  He also served as Music Assistant at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler.  Todd is a member of the Centurymen and the Singing Men of Texas.
C.V. came to Abilene as Pastor for Youth in 1999 where he served in that position before he moved into the Young and Median Adult position in 2004.  He gives leadership to all adults between the ages of 20-60, both married and single.  He also works with the Men’s Ministry and coordinates the small group Bible studies for men. 

 

Before coming to Abilene in 1999, C.V. served in similar ministry positions in Bryan, Lubbock, Shallowater, Slaton, and O’Donnell. C.V. is a graduate of Texas Tech University. He and his wife, Shelly, have two children, Bryan who lives and works in the Dallas area and his wife Marlow and their two children, and Lauren and her husband Reed Stafford and their two children, Jack and Brynn.

Joe joined the staff in February 2019 as Director of Pastoral Care. Joe retired in January 2018 after working 45 years in Healthcare and Senior Living. His background includes being a Hospital Administrator, a Licensed Long-Term Care Administrator, and a Certified Assisted/Independent Living Executive. Joe and his wife, Sherry, have been an active part of First Baptist since 1985. They have three grown sons.

Hunter Brown grew up in the metropolis of Clyde, Texas and is the son of Carl and Carla Brown. He is married to Kelsey (Higbee) Brown, and they celebrated 3 years of marriage in June 2023. Fun fact: Hunter and Kelsey celebrated their wedding at FBC Abilene. Hunter attended Hardin-Simmons for his undergrad in ministry and went on to graduate studies at Logsdon Seminary where he and Kelsey met one another. Hunter is currently working on his Doctor of Ministry through Truett Seminary. He has served in church ministry for just over ten years, working at churches in Clyde and Abilene before spending the last 3 years in Muleshoe, Tx. In his spare time, Hunter loves to watch movies, play video games, and read. He and Kelsey also love spending time with their two dogs: Burr (Border Collie) and Sam (Corgi). Hunter and Kelsey have one child, Luke Avery Brown, born the end of December 2023.

Becky Tucker joined the staff in the fall of 2011 to lead the children’s ministries.  A graduate of Hardin-Simmons University with a BBS in recreation, Becky taught in the public school system for 20 years here in Abilene at Jane Long and Thomas Elementary schools. Becky brings a wealth of experience and a deep love for children to this position.  She and her husband, Gary, a computer technology consultant and a member of our television ministry at FBC, have two children, Clayton and his wife, Jordan and daughters Reece and Charlee; and Britney.

Debra joined the staff in 2000 in her current position.  She and her husband, Steve, have two grown sons.  Debra likes to cook and try new recipes in the kitchen.