Brother David Higgs grew up in a pastor's home and is a fourth generation pastor. Before accepting the call to First Baptist Bryan in May 2010, Brother David served as the pastor of First Baptist Church in Nederland, Texas. He has 20 years of pastoral experience in churches in Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri.

 

He received a Bachelor or Business Administration from Baylor University in 1986. He received a Master of Divinity in 1995 and Doctor of Ministry in 1999 from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

 

Brother David and his wife Kim have been married for over 20 years. Kim has taught public school and will be teaching music this fall at a local elementary school. They have three children: Neil, who will be a sophomore at Ouachita Baptist University; Ryan, who will be in the 7th grade; and Jana, who will be in the third grade.      

  

    

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. 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 ten years. Here are some of Chris’ favorite things: food (meatballs and potatoes), candy (Nerds), books (Orbiting the Giant Hairball by Gordan MacKenzie), movies (When Harry Met Sally), and anything with his family!

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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 Nathan and Justin. Anne lives in Dallas. Bill joined the staff of FBC Bryan in September 1984. Bill previously served as Minister of Education at FBC 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.

David is a graduate of the University of Arkansas Class of 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He spent many years as a manager with a major department store chain. He is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity from the B. H. Carroll Theological Institute.

 

David is married to Angela. Angela works for the local ING broker. They 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 Pastor, Business Manager.

 

David enjoys working with all ministries of FBC. He also volunteers for SOS Ministries as a bus driver. One of David's greatest passions is planning and going on local and national mission trips. 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!"

    

    

Brian graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from Texas A&M University, class of 1994. He earned a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary 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 since Valentines Day of 1998.  They have 4 children, Cole (born in 1999), Mason (born in 2001), Austin (born in 2004), and Zoe (born in 2006). Brian served as the Minister of Youth at FBC Bryan from 2001 to 2009.  Brian previously served at Dacus Baptist Church in Montgomery, Texas; Cullendale First Baptist Church of Camden, Arkansas; and 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.

      

John received a BS degree from Texas A&M Commerce, a Master's degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminar in Fort Worth, a 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 who live in Amarillo, TX, and Noble and Tyra Nelson Free who in McKinney, TX. 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, TX; Assoc. Pastor/Senior Adults/Education at Immanuel Baptist Church in San Angelo, TX; Assoc. Pastor/Education/Senior Adults at First Baptist Church in Navasota, TX;  Recreation/Senior Adults at Spring Baptist Church in Spring, TX; Youth Minister at Baptist Temple in Houston, TX and at First Baptist Church in Silsbee, TX. John enjoys reading and working out on a regular basis.  The latest book he read was “Messy Spirituality” by Michael Yaconelli.

  

Nancy received her undergraduate education at Oklahoma Baptist University 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. Their son Randy works in Houston. Their daughter Shannon, who is married to Chris Carter, lives in Chicago where she teaches kindergarten. Their daughter Kelly works for Caris in Chicago. Nancy was called as Minister of Childhood Education at FBC Bryan in 1993. She previously served as Church Counselor at First Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Nancy was also a kindergarten teacher and an Early Childhood Handicapped School Counselor in Houston.

Nancy has a passion for children and families, and she loves to help them grow  in their walk with the Lord. She loves the breadth and variety of her ministry with all ages and backgrounds 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. 

Toney grew up in 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 a 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 the 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.

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 in 2007.