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The Staff of First Baptist Church of Bryan

OWENS-TIM-311.jpgTim Owens, Pastor

Tim earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible from Hardin-Simmons University in 1979, a Masters of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1983, and a Doctors of Ministry degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1988. Tim’s wife, Debbie, is a first grade elementary school teacher in Bryan. They have two children:  Timothy, a recent graduate of A&M University now working in Dallas, and Lindsey, a student at Baylor University. Tim became pastor of First Baptist Bryan in February 1996. Prior to being called as pastor at First Baptist Bryan, Tim served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Grandfield, Oklahoma and as pastor of First Baptist Church in Monahans. Tim loves playing tennis, taking care of his dogs, and attending all types of sporting events.  His greatest pleasure is seeing how God works in and through a life that is fully surrendered to Him.





HOOVER-CHRIS-417.jpgChris Hoover, Minister of Music

Chris graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University in Norman, Oklahoma in 1988 and received a Masters in Music Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth in 1991. Chris and Christine have been married since September 1991. Christine is a teacher in the college ministry and teaches Community Bible Study. Chris and Christine have three children, Madison, Landon, and Colton. The never-ending adventures of the Hoover family can be found on our family blogspot at chrishooverfamily.blogspot.com. Chris became Minister of Music at FBC Bryan in 2002.  He joined the staff of FBC Bryan from South Oaks Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas where he served for 10 years. Here are some of Chris’ favorite things: food (meatballs and potatoes), candy (Nerds), books (Orbiting the Giant Hairball by Gordan Mckinzie), movies (When Harry Met Sally), and anything with his family!





WIMAN-BILL-81.jpgBill J. Wiman, Minister of Education/Administration

Bill is a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas and holds a Masters of Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.  He is also a Fellow in Church Business Administration through the National Association of Church Business Administration and is certified in Church Business Administration through the Southern Baptist Church Business Administration Association. Bill and his wife Janis have been married since June 1970. Janis serves as the church organist.  They have two daughters: Aimee and her husband Greg Thompson live in Frisco and are parents to Bill and Janis’ two grandsons, Nathan and Justin. Anne lives in Dallas. Bill joined the staff of First Baptist Bryan in September 1984. Prior to coming to Bryan, Bill served as Minister of Education at First Baptist Church of Marshall, Texas; Immanuel Baptist Church in Wichita, Kansas; and Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene, Texas.  During his last year in seminary he served as pastor of the Second Baptist Church (now Park Street) in Dublin, Texas. He also served as youth minister for Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Snyder, Belmont Baptist Church and Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene, and First Baptist Church in Duncanville. Bill enjoys refinishing furniture, tackling DIY projects at home and being “Papa B” to his grandsons.

GUSEWELLE-DAVID-263.jpgDavid Gusewelle, Associate Minister of Administration/Missions

David is a graduate of the University of Arkansas Class of 1982 with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. He spent many years as a manager with a major department store chain. He is currently pursuing a Masters of Ministry from the B. H. Carroll Theological Institute. David and Angela were married in March 1982.  Angela works in the Mother’s Day Out program at Parkway Baptist Church. David and Angela have three children: Elizabeth, Daniel, and Thomas. After a successful career in business, David joined the staff of FBC Bryan as Business Manager in 2003.  Recently he became Associate Minister of Administration and Missions. 
David enjoys being a part of his kid’s activities, planning and going on mission trips, working with the Royal Ambassadors, and serving at FBC Bryan. David says, “It is my desire that everyone at FBC Bryan go on some form of mission trip at one time or another. It will change your life!”



 

CRUMP-BRIAN-356.jpgBrian Crump, Minister of Youth

Brian graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Communication from Texas A&M University, class of 1994.  He continued his education earning a Master of Arts Degree in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth in 1997.  In seminary Brian spearheaded an unsuccessful campaign to adopt a school mascot.  To Brian’s disappointment Southwestern Seminary still has no mascot.  Brian is currently seeking a Master of Divinity from B.H. Carroll Theological Institute. Brian has been married to his lovely wife Jill sense Valentines Day of 1998.  Jill serves as the Division Director for Younger Preschool.  They have 4 children, Cole (YOB: 1999), Mason (YOB: 2001), Austin (YOB: 2004), and Zoe (YOB: 2006). Brian became Minister of Youth at First Baptist Bryan in October of 2001.  Brian served in 3 other churches before coming back to the Bryan/College Station area: Dacus Baptist Church in Montgomery, Texas; Cullendale First Baptist Church of Camden, Arkansas; Redeemer Community Church in Katy, Texas. Brian enjoys the outdoors especially camping with his family.  Brian delights in seeing the humorous side of most situations.

 

FREE-JOHN-220.jpgJohn Free, Minister to Adults

John received a BS degree from Texas A&M Commerce; Master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminar in Fort Worth; Document of Academic Achievement in Aging from Baylor University and Southwestern Seminary; and Chaplaincy training at Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo. John is married to Cheryl Lawrence Free and they have two grown children:  Stephanie and Kyle Gray living in Amarillo; Noble and Tyra Nelson Free living in McKinney. John joined the staff of First Baptist Church in July, 1998 as Minister of Adults.  He served as Pastor of Second Baptist Church in Lamesa;  Assoc. Pastor/Senior Adults/Education at Immanuel Baptist Church in San Angelo; Assoc. Pastor/Education/Senior Adults at First Baptist Church in Navasota;  Recreation/Senior Adults at Spring Baptist Church in Spring; Youth Minister at Baptist Temple in Houston and at First Baptist Church in Silsbee. John enjoys reading and working out on a regular basis.  The latest book read by John is “Messy Spirituality” by Michael Yaconelli.



 

CONLIN-RICK-430.jpgNancy Conlin, Minister of Childhood Education

Nancy received her undergraduate education at Oklahoma Baptist University in and Southeast Missouri State University.  She received her Master’s in Counseling at the University of Houston. Nancy married Rick Conlin in 1975 and they have 3 adult children.  Randy works in Houston.  Shannon is married to Chris Carter and they live in Chicago where Shannon is kindergarten school teacher.  Kelly works for Caris in Chicago. Nancy’s family moved to Bryan/College Station in 1992 and she was called as Minister of Childhood Education at FBC Bryan in 1993.  Prior to coming to Bryan Nancy was Church Counselor at First Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a position she held for seven years.   Nancy was also a kindergarten teacher for 7 years and an Early Childhood Handicapped School Counselor for 2 years while living in Houston. Nancy has a passion for children and families, and she loves to help them grow individually and collectively in their walk with the Lord.  She loves the breadth and variety of her ministry with all ages and backgrounds of folks connected with the children’s ministry. Her favorite pastimes include getting to know people, shopping, traveling, eating out, cross stitching and reading.  Her favorite recent books have been, Get Out of the Pit, by Beth Moore, Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers, and Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions, by George Barna. 

 

UPTON-TONEY-411.jpgToney Upton, Minister to Young Adults

Toney grew up the southeast Texas town of Beaumont where he graduated from Lamar University in January 1992 with a business degree.  Toney also attended Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth where he received Master of Divinity degree in 1995. Not only did Lamar University bestow a degree upon Toney, it also brought him together with the love of his life.  Toney and Shannon were married in January, 1992 shortly after his graduation from college.  Toney and Shannon have three children: 2 boys, Britton and Camden, and a little girl, Gema. Toney became Minister of Young Adults at First Baptist Bryan in August, 2003.  After completion of his seminary degree Toney spent 9 years as a director of Baptist Student Ministries including East Field Community College in Dallas, Navarro Junior College in Corsicana and Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. Toney enjoys a good laugh, date nights with his wife, a round of golf, thoughtful music, and simply watching his kids.

 

 

FEHLIS-CHESTER-153.jpgChester Fehlis, Small Group Ministry Coordinator

Chester joined our church staff after a 35-year career with The Texas A&M University System.  With three degrees from Texas A&M University, he has focused much of his career on leadership development and organizational excellence.  He is a native of Beeville and has lived in Edna, Raymondville and Victoria before moving back to the Bryan/College Station area.  Chester and his wife, Jan, have been members of FBC Bryan since 1983 and have enjoyed teaching second grade Sunday school for more than 17 years.  They have three grown children and three grandchildren.  Jan is a volunteer receptionist in the church office, and assists with the Children’s Ministry and the Small Groups Ministry.  Chester has served on many committees and task forces in the church including playing major leadership roles in our church participation in “40 Days of Purpose” and “40 Days of Community.”  He chaired a church committee on Small Groups in 2006 and was named Small Groups Ministry Coordinator on June 1, 2007.







CHAPMAN-RENEE-519.jpgRenee Chapman, Preschool Director