FBC is an elder-led, congregational church. In accordance with the teachings of the New Testament, elders are shepherds of the church, under the authority of Jesus Christ, charged with ensuring the right belief and right practice of the Bible.
Staff
- Patrick EdwardsSenior Pastor
Patrick Edwards (Ph.D., Systematic Theology) came to FBC Warrensburg in 2017. Previously he led churches as senior pastor in North Carolina. He is married to Teresa and, together, they have two rambunctious kids, Aiden and Charlotte. Having done undergraduate work at the University of Virginia and graduate and post-graduate work at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Patrick is passionate about seeing the church mobilized to follow God in His mission in the building of His Kingdom! Otherwise, he’s a pretty boring guy who you’ll likely find, when not playing with his kids, sitting on a park bench starring out into who knows what.
- Jeff GrayDiscipleship Pastor
Jeff Gray joined the staff at FBC Warrensburg in 2020. Jeff has a variety of ministry experiences from leading as senior pastor in Louisiana, serving in student ministry in Texas and South Carolina, and serving as an associate pastor in family ministry and missions. He is married to Jennifer and, together, they have two kids, Landree and Hudson. Jeff has a Master of Divinity (Columbia Biblical Seminary and School of Missions), and is currently pursuing his DMin in Discipleship and Spiritual Formation (New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary). Jeff is passionate about seeing the church mobilized to make disciples who make disciples. Jeff is a passionate sports fan, specifically the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers. He loves to coach youth sports, play with his kids, and play strategy games.
- Lee WhiteFamily Pastor
Lee White will be joining the staff at FBC Warrensburg in 2020. Lee has held a variety of ministry positions focused on serving children, students, and families in churches and Christian schools in Missouri and California. He is married to Amy and, together, they have an amazing daughter, Aurora (Rory) and their two dogs, Samson and Pooka. Lee has a Master of Divinity (The Master’s Seminary, Sun Valley, California) and a Master of Theology (The Master’s Seminary, Sun Valley, California). Lee desires to come alongside parents to support their discipleship of their children and families. He loves connecting with children and students and being excited for what excites them. Lee enjoys watching sports, traveling, hunting and fishing, and baking. He’s a big fan of Star Wars, Lego, and collecting bobbleheads.
- Julie FarwellOperations ManagerJulie joined the FBC Warrensburg staff in 2012. Born and raised here in Warrensburg, FBC has always been her church home. She is married to Walter, a USAF transplant, with whom she’s commenced the season of parenting their three adult children, Zach, Riley (and his wife Jordyn), and Brooke. Believing there’s more than fortuity to her work at FBC, Julie is eager to present effective communication to support the church body in connectedness, and ultimately growing His kingdom. In her leisure time she enjoys traveling, watching movies, or relaxing with a cup of coffee and a good book.
- Harold KnightFacilities Manager
Harold has been on staff for twelve years at FBC Warrensburg. The first nine years he served as the Facility Manager and he serves now as our Church Administrator. He has a BA in IA&T from UCM. Originally Harold is from Georgia but has lived most of his life in Warrensburg. He and his wife, Linda, have four children, eleven grandchildren, and a very energetic Bichon Frise puppy named Izzy.
- Don BrooksTechnical Director
Don Brooks has been the Technical Director at FBC since 2017. He is married to Peggy and they have three adult children and seven grandchildren living in Missouri, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C. Prior to coming to FBC he had his own consulting business, TechMissionS, where he assisted hundreds of churches nationwide, with all matters of church technology associated with sound, lighting, screens, and TV production. Don’s commitment to the church is to utilize his God-given skills, to assist the church and its volunteers in meeting the technical requirements of today’s church in such a way that it neither interferes nor distracts from but rather complements its message.
- Jasen HunterWorship Director
Jasen and his family came to FBC in 2012, and he’s been serving as a member of the worship team; Jasen joined the staff as Worship Director in of 2016. He completed his undergraduate degree at the U.S. Air Force Academy and he’s currently an active duty USAF pilot. Jasen and his wife, Angela, have two beautiful daughters, Savannah and Charlotte. Being involved in music influenced his life at an early age and he has used that passion for music to draw nearer to Jesus in his own life. He loves listening to others worship, no matter their age and he’s passionate about worship at FBC being Christ centered and not about performance. Jasen spends his free time hanging out with his family and his Corgi.
- Bailey BrechtChildren's Ministry Coordinator
Bailey has been in attendance at FBC since 2017 and joined the staff in 2020. She has lived on a homestead for the past eight years, and moved to Warrensburg in 2016. Bailey along with her husband Kevin are raising a family with three amazing children Jaelyn, Brylee, and Hudson. Bailey was previously a stay at home mom homeschooling her children. She has a Christ driven passion for children and enjoys seeing them grow into disciples for Christ. Her most valued time is spent being a mother. She also enjoys hosting bar-b-q’s, having card/board game nights, hunting/fishing, and working around the homestead.
- Rebekah FieldsStudent Life Ministry Assistant
Rebekah Fields has been attending FBC Warrensburg since 2017; and has been serving as a member of the youth leadership team. Rebekah joined the FBC Warrensburg staff in August 2019. Originally from Kansas City, Rebekah received her B.S. in Psychology from UCM and currently works part-time as a Women’s Ministry Leader with The Navigators at UCM. Rebekah is passionate about seeing others grow in their faith and walk with Jesus; having a heart especially for youth and college students to experience Jesus as he calls them by name into kingdom work. Rebekah loves hanging out with people (even though she is an introvert), trying new things, playing board games and sports, hammocking, walking in nature, jamming out to worship music, and taking photos with her digital camera.
- Donna StewartAdministrative Assistant
Donna joined the FBC staff in 2020, having served as a volunteer to help with the counting of offerings and gifts, she was asked to step into the part-time position of Administrative Assistant for our current Office Administrator, Harold Knight. She is a graduate of Southwest Baptist College, and a retired teacher. Donna and her husband, Dale, have three grown daughters and seven grandchildren. The Stewart’s have been members of FBC since 2001.
- Sonya DavenportKidSteps Director
Sonya has been the director of KidSteps Preschool since it began in 2013. She enjoys planning ways to help young children learn by engaging their spirit of fun and adventure. Sonya has taught preschool, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, served as director of Weekday Early Education programs, and coordinated the Warrensburg R-VI Before and After School program for many years. In addition to her work, she enjoys cooking, sewing, gardening, travel, and volunteering in her church and community.
Elders
- Patrick Edwards
Patrick came to FBC Warrensburg in October 2017. Previously he led churches as senior pastor in North Carolina. He is married to Teresa and, together, they have two rambunctious kids, Aiden and Charlotte. Most significantly they are proud parents of a Golden Retriever, Sawyer. Having done undergraduate work at the University of Virginia and graduate and post-graduate work at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Patrick is passionate about seeing the church mobilized to follow God in His mission in the building of His Kingdom!
- Jeff Gray
Jeff came to FBC Warrensburg in January 2020. Jeff has a variety of ministry experiences from leading as senior pastor in Louisiana, serving in student ministry in Texas and South Carolina, and serving as an associate pastor in family ministry and missions. He is married to Jennifer and, together, they have two kids, Landree and Hudson. Jeff has a Master of Divinity (Columbia Biblical Seminary and School of Missions), and is currently pursuing his DMin in Discipleship and Spiritual Formation (New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary). Jeff is passionate about seeing the church mobilized to make disciples who make disciples. Jeff is a passionate sports fan, specifically the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers. He loves to coach youth sports, play with his kids, and play strategy games.
- Chris Coombs
Chris began serving as an elder in 2019. He and Becky were married in 2002 and have 3 amazing children. From 2006-2008, they served for 2 years with the International Mission Board in Cacak, Serbia. Chris is a high school science teacher and baseball coach. He has served in Youth Ministry, Children's Ministry, Adult Sunday School, Pastor Search Team, Personnel Team, Finance Team, Gospel Communities, and Deacon Ministries. After staying at home with the kids for 10 years, Becky now teaches 1st grade. She has served in Children's Ministry, Adult Choir, Missions Team, Women's Ministry, Care Ministry, Gospel Communities, and the Cup.
- James Frank
James and Alisha moved to Warrensburg in July of 2015 and have attended FBC since their first Sunday. Together they have three children: Timothy, Ava, and Benjamin. James is the principal at Crest Ridge Secondary, and both he and Alisha have a passion for service and education. James has been involved in children’s ministry and Awana at FBC, and he has served on the elder board since 2019.
- Jim Graham
Jim has been a member of the Board of Elders since 2012. Jim and Carol Graham were married in 1985. Jim is employed by UCM and currently is the VP of Technology / CIO. Carol is employed by NewBeginnings Women's Center as Center Director. Jim and Carol have three sons. Scott and his wife Audra reside in Santa Monica, California. Tyler and his wife Sarah reside in Omaha, Nebraska. Alex and his wife Lindsey reside here in Warrensburg. The Graham’s have been members of FBC since their move to Warrensburg in 2000 and serve and have served in a number of different capacities.
- Jason Snowden
Jason has been a member of the Board of Elders for FBC Warrensburg since 2012. Jason and his wife Jen have been members at FBC since 2004 when they moved to Warrensburg. Jason and Jen were married in 2001, and they have 3 children Kelsey, Andrew, and Nathan. Jason is a family practice physician and enjoys getting to use those skills in serving on medical mission trips and volunteering as the medical director of New Beginnings Women's Center.
- Dave White
David and Laura have been married 39 years, have five children and six grandchildren. They have been members of FBC since 2003 during which time Dave has served teaching Sunday School, in the Deacon Ministry, Worship Team, Men’s Ministry and leading a Gospel Community. In 1980 he and Laura began an interdenominational youth ministry, Teens For Christ, in Lima, Ohio that has expanded internationally. Dave was ordained in the Christian and Missionary Alliance in 1989 where he served as a youth and associate pastor and senior pastor. He recently retired as a First Sergeant after 20 years of service in the United States Army and Missouri Army National Guard; he's currently employed by the State of Missouri Probation & Parole. Laura is currently the director of the Golden Age Ministry at FBC.