Rev. James A. Meadows
Senior Pastor

Jay began his service as Senior Pastor in January of 1999. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Mercer University in 1992 and his Master of Divinity from The Divinity School of Duke University in 1995.  He has served churches in North Carolina and Georgia in his eleven years of ministry.  His philosophy of pastoral ministry is to serve the community of faith by strengthening the individual believer through discipleship and by equipping the local church to do ministry and missions.  In 1991 he married Marsha Clements Meadows. They have three daughters, Morgan Marleigh and Mercer. Jay’s interests and hobbies include people, reading, duck hunting, fishing, and many other outdoor activities.
Email JMeadows@FBCBaxley.org

Rev. Tommy Jordan
Associate Pastor

Tommy began his service as Associate Pastor in 1989. He graduated from West Georgia College in 1974 with a Bachelor of Music. He earned his Master of Religious Education in 1984 from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served churches in Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Georgia in his thirty years of ministry. He is married to Teresa Woodcock Jordan. His family includes five children: Judi, Julie, Ashley, Will, and Sara; and seven grandchildren: Cape, Nelia, Evan, Brady, Jazmin, Skylar, and Gracie. Tommy’s interests and hobbies include running, running, and running.
Email TJordan@FBCBaxley.org

Dianne Ball
Interim Children's Minister

Dianne began her service as Interim Children's Minister in February of 2007. She is a graduate of Section High School in Section, Alabama. She graduated from Nurses  School in 1980. She and her husband, Anthony, moved to Baxley in 1983. They are members of First Baptist Church and have served in many areas over the past twenty years. They have four children: Jerrod, Jacob, Jordan, and Jenna. Dianne enjoys time with her family and many outdoor activities.
Email ldball@bellsouth.net

Mark Sauls
Interim Youth Minister

Mark began his service as Interim Youth Minister in January of 2008. He graduated  from Georgia Southern University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. He feels called to the mission field and has served in Honduras,  Central America on three separate occasions. On the last three month mission trip his ministries involved elderly, school, Bible Club, village, orphanage, medical, and construction. Mark’s hobbies include reading, camping,  rock climbing, and traveling.
Email sauls.mark@yahoo.com

Kim Grover
 Administrative Assistant/Financial Secretary

Kim  began her service in July of 2007. She and her family transferred to Baxley in  2004 when her husband, Jamey, accepted the position of Executive Director of  Baxley Wilderness Institute. They have been married for twenty-eight years. They have three children: Keira, Josh, and Ian; and five grandsons: Colby,  Wilson,  Zachariah, Jackson, and Preston. Kim’s passions include family, music, and youth ministry.
Email bxlyfbc@bellsouth.net

Elesa Varnadore
Church Secretary
 and Receptionist

Elesa began her service in June of 1990. She has been a resident of Appling County since 1973. Her family includes three  children: Christy, Joshua, and Caleb. Her hobbies are birding, enjoying nature, and collecting Peanuts memorabilia. She is an avid Wal-Mart shopper and enjoys spending time with  her family.
Email EVarnadore@FBCBaxley.org

Vinnie Shipes
Custodian

Vinnie has been a part-time employee since May of 1987. She is married to Bobby, a retired First Baptist Church employee. They have been married forty-four years. They have two children: Danny and Sheri; three grandchildren: Danny, Kristena, and Grady; and one great-grandson, Harley. Vinnie’s favorite past-time is participating in the life and ministry of her church.  She enjoys her church, fishing, and spending time with her family.

Vernon Boatright
Custodian

Vernon began his service in August of 2007. He is married to the former Jackie Lightsey. They have three children: Kyle, Kacey, and Lucas; and one granddaughter: Emily. He enjoys shopping at flea markets, buying groceries, and cooking.

Gail Carter
Pianist

Gail grew up in First Baptist Church.  She began part-time service at twelve years old and served periodically from then through her college years. She began full-time service in the early  1970’s. Gail teaches mathematics and physics at the high  school and was married to the late Jerry Carter, a retired high school English  teacher. They have one son and daughter-in-law, Jeremy & Emily  Carter.

Claire Tanner
Organist

Claire first began her service in 1965 and has served in a full-time position since 1985.  She teaches piano lessons and is married to Kenneth Tanner, a retired Georgia Power employee.  They have two children: Jeff Tanner and Tamela Folsom; three grandsons and two granddaughters: Payne Ivie, Pierce & Abbigayle Tanner, Tanner & Anna Kate Folsom.  Claire’s hobbies are working in the yards and collecting depression era glassware.