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ministry team
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Dr. W. Wayne Roe has been pastor at First Baptist Church Tifton since July of 1996, following an 11-year pastorate in Marion,
South Carolina.
Wayne graduated with a B.A. from
Samford
University in
Birmingham, Alabama. He received his Master of Divinity degree and his Doctor of Philosophy from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in
Louisville Kentucky.
Wayne is married to Dr. Susan Roe, a music professor at
Abraham
Baldwin
College in Tifton. They have one daughter, Catherine. His hobbies include playing tennis, racquetball, and spending time with his family.
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John Hughes joined the Ministry Team at First Baptist in October, 2005. He had most recently served as Pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in Douglasville for over 8 years. His ministry focus is outreach, spiritual growth, assimilation, and ministry mobilization. Christ’s command to “make disciples” is the heart of his assignment.
A native of Albany, John graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1981. He spent 3 years working with Campus Crusade for Christ at the University of Minnesota and the University of Georgia. He graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1987.
John is married to Nancy, an elementary teacher, from
Edison. They have two sons, Luke and Matthew. John enjoys golf, basketball and tennis.
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Gary Aikens
Minister of
Music & Worship
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Gary Aikens joined the ministry team at FBC Tifton in May 2009 after serving churches in Blackshear, Warner Robins and Albany over the previous 28 years.
Gary was born in Mobile, Alabama and spent his junior high, high school and college years in Warner Robins. He graduated from Mercer University in 1976 with a BA in Vocal Performance and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with the Master of Church Music Degree in 1979.
Gary is married to Becky, a fifth grade teacher in Tift County schools. They have three daughters, Erin Flanders, Elisabeth DeFoor and Celia Aikens, two son-in-laws, Sgt. David Flanders and Lt. Matthew Defoor, and one granddaughter, Kalyn Flanders.
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Bill Hughes has been in youth ministry for over 34 years. Prior to coming to First Baptist in 1991, Bill served in several churches in Florida,
Indiana, and Georgia.
Bill graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from the
University of Central Florida. He received his Master of Divinity Degree in Theology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has authored 4 books including the popular youth book, "Soul Break."
Bill is married to Dana, who is a teacher. They have two girls, Elizabeth and Christina. His hobbies include golf and long distance running.
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Ron Lawhon has been on staff at First Baptist Tifton since 1979. Ron’s areas of ministry include coordinating the media and public relations of the church, as well as supervising the operations of the church’s 24-hour Christian television station, housed and operated at
First
Baptist
Church. Prior to assuming the role of Media Minister, Ron was the music minister at First Baptist for over 24 years.
Ron graduated with a B.A. in Music and Music Education from
Oklahoma
Baptist
University. He received his Master of Church Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
A native of
Tyler, Texas, Ron is married to Gina, the church accompanist. They have three children: Christa Skipper, Jonathan, and Julie, and three grandchildren.
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Sabina Silvoy was called into full-time ministry at
First
Baptist
Church in June of 2002, after serving as the Interim Director of Children’s Ministries the previous two years. Sabina’s area of ministry begins with children from birth through sixth grade and provides support to their parents.
A native of Tifton, Sabina graduated with a B.A. in Early Childhood Education, magna cum laude, from Valdosta State University. She has twenty years of experience working with children and their parents. Sabina operated a Home Daycare for nine years and then was a teacher in the Tift County Public School system for nine years.
Sabina is married to Dr. John Silvoy an agronomist. Together they have four children: Anna, Andrew, Rachel, and Austin.
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Jim Donovan has been a part of the First Baptist ministry team since April of 2003. He has responsibilities in the areas of finance, personnel, building management, and coordination of support ministries. He considers himself a minister first and an administrator second.
Jim received his B.S. in Business Administration from the
University of
Alabama. He holds a both a Master of Divinity and a Master of Religious Education earned from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to First Baptist Tifton, Jim served as a church administrator for twelve years in churches in Tennessee and
Alabama.
Jim is married to Sandy, a registered nurse. They have three children: Jennifer Street, David, and Jessica. Jim’s hobbies include playing golf, yard work, home projects, singing, and spending time with his family.
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Jose Lopez was called into ministry at
First
Baptist
Church in 2004. He is responsible for developing a ministry to the Hispanic community in Tifton and
Tift
County. He has started programs in Bible study, worship, and fellowship.
Jose graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from the
Inter-American
University of
Puerto Rico. After graduating, Jose moved to
New Orleans with ambitions of becoming a successful business man. But God had other plans. He enrolled at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he received a Master in Christian Education in 1995.
Jose is married to Nerily, a public school counselor. They have three children: Alejandra, Luis, and Jose.
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Mark Myers
Minister of Christian
Activities & Senior Adults
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Mark Myers joined the First Baptist ministry Team in June of 2008. Mark has served 20 years as a Youth and Recreation Minister in Churches in Indiana, Tennessee, Illinois and Texas, until his current change in position to Recreation and Sr. Adult Ministry. Evangelism is his gift and he enjoys sharing his Faith as an “On Mission” Christian.
Mark grew up in Houston, Texas and graduated in 1993 with a Masters of Arts in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Mark has worked with Fellowship of Christian Athletes as a huddle Coach and with the Indiana and Illinois State Conventions as a speaker and trainer in Evangelism, Youth Ministry, and Adult Sunday school growth.
Mark is married to Suzanne, who graduated from the University of Texas and currently does After Care Ministry for Bowen Donaldson Funeral Home. They have twin sons, Matthew and Luke. Mark enjoys team sports, being outdoors and spending time with his wife, his boys and his Lord!
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