Chris Schroeder - Teaching Pastor
Chris joined the FBC team in January 2018. He previously served for fifteen years as a Senior Pastor in Missouri and Southern California. His hometown is Rancho Cucamonga, California. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology and a Masters of Ministry degree from Point Loma Nazarene University. He also holds a Masters of Pastoral Counseling and Doctorate of Ministry in Patoral Counseling from Liberty University.
Chris is happily married to Rochelle and together they have three daughters. He loves to spend time with his family. He also enjoys reading, running, playing sports, and watching sports. His favorite teams are the Angels, Lakers, Rams, and USC Trojans.
He finds his greatest joy in helping people to grow and change through difficult situations. “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:19-20).
Quinn Stanfill - Media/Worship Pastor
Quinn joined the FBC team as the Worship Pastor in February 2012 after serving for 11 years at First Baptist Church West Monroe, Louisiana. Originally from the south Louisiana town of Luling, which is near New Orleans, Quinn received a Bachelor's Degree in Church Music and a Master's Degree in Christian Education from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Quinn enjoys spending time with his family, hunting/fishing and watching/playing sports. He is an avid LSU and New Orleans Saints fan. Quinn is married to Irene and they have two children, Megan and Connor.
Bryan Bixler - Care & Connections Pastor
Bryan joined the FBC team in January of 2017. He came in with a good working relationship with many staff members because of his involvement in Club 29:11 and leadership of the Friendship Center over the last nine years. Getting to know people and helping them get to know Jesus is his passion. He pastored two churches and a much more diverse flock while working with the impoverished and homeless. Having seen heartache and brokenness firsthand, he is motivated to help students discern and walk in God’s ways sooner rather than later. In this new ministry position, he will draw on experiences such as being a camp counselor, soccer coach, and involvement with students from all walks of life.
Around town, you will likely see him with one of his girls! Bryan is married to his long-time best friend, Kelly. You can find his name on the senior walk in Fayetteville, where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration. After sensing a call to full-time ministry, he and Kelly moved to New Orleans where he graduated with a Master’s of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. While down that way, Kelly finished at LSU, and thus there are yearly bragging rights within the family for the “battle of the boot.” The Bixlers have three daughters, Madelyn, Kathryn, and Rylie who keep them busy between school, tennis, and soccer. On the rare occasion, he is not at one of the above activities, Bryan loves doing anything outdoors, playing cards, and the Tour de France.
Mike Beck - Missions/Senior Adult Pastor
Mike joined the FBC staff in June of 2010. Mike moved to Texarkana after serving 3 years as a missionary with the International Mission Board in Lisbon, Portugal as a church planter, and his beautiful wife, Jennifer, taught English. Mike also worked in sports ministry by teaching American football. Mike is a hometown boy from Texarkana. He graduated from Texas High, Ouachita Baptist University, and Southwestern Seminary. Mike was called into ministry in college and has served churches in Arkansas and Texas for over 30 years. During several of those years, Mike served as FBC's Student Pastor. Mike loves being outdoors, cooking, working in his yard, and cheering on the Arkansas Razorbacks. Mike now finds himself cheering for the Oklahoma State Cowboys too since his sons, Brooks and Landon, are both students at the university! Mike and Jennifer love serving in ministry together whether on the mission field abroad or the mission field in Texarkana.
Cross Bright - College & Student Pastor
Cross joined the FBC staff in 2018 as an intern in the student ministry and has gone on to serve in various roles over the years, including Student Ministry Associate. He has been serving as our Student and College Pastor since 2022. Cross has been married to his wife, Carington, since December 2021. He graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in 2019 where he spent his time playing for the university's Men's Basketball team and pursued a degree in Bio-Medical Science. While seeking a career in medicine, the Lord called Cross to vocational ministry in 2017. He longs to see students come to know the Lord and experience true discipleship so they can invite others into a relationship with Jesus.
Cross is now working on his master's degree online at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. In his free time, Cross is more than likely engaging in sports, whether playing, watching, or arguing about them! He loves the DFW professional sports teams and his Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Jackson Barton - Student Worship Pastor
Blake Green - Student Ministry Associate
Blake Green joined the student ministry team as an intern in January of 2022 and recently joined FBC's full-time staff. Originally from McKinney, TX, he moved to Texarkana in August of 2020. Blake married the love of his life, Rachel in October 2023. Blake graduated with honors from Texas A&M - Texarkana in December of 2023 with his bachelor's degree in biology. He also loves to watch and play baseball, as well as participate in a myriad of outdoor activities. Blake has a heart for serving students as they cultivate their relationship with Christ.
Rachel Green - Girl's College Associate
Melinda Wommack - Business Administrator
Melinda joined the staff in January 2022. Originally from the Dallas area, Melinda lived in Atlanta, TX, for almost 20 years before moving to Texarkana. Melinda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She has spent her career working in accounting and human resources, earning her SHRM-CP designation in 2020. Melinda served on the staff of FBC Atlanta as the Financial Officer and Women’s Ministry Director for over five years. Recently, she worked in the healthcare industry at a local hospice and hospital.
Melinda is married to David, a chemistry teacher at Texas High School. They have four children, David and his wife Alicia, Matthew, Sarah, and Andrew. They also have a grandson named Isaac. Together, David and Melinda teach the Genesis Bible Study Class on Sunday mornings. In her spare time, Melinda enjoys spending time with family, listening to music, reading, and traveling.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Kevin Jones - Interim Director of Discipleship
Kevin joined the FBC team in October 2023 after retiring from a distinguished 30-year career in public education as a teacher and administrator. Originally from Redwater, Texas, Kevin holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education focusing on English and History from East Texas Baptist University. He also earned a Master of Education in Administration from Texas A&M University, Texarkana.
Kevin is married to Kim, and together they have two adult children. Recently they celebrated the joy of becoming grandparents to their first granddaughter, Blair.
With a strong educational background and a passion for teaching, Kevin is dedicated to supporting and guiding Sunday School teachers and actively teaching Sunday School himself.
Robin Thomas - Worship Associate
Robin Thomas joined the FBC staff as the Worship Associate in September 2012. Before coming to Texarkana, Robin served as the Music Associate at First Baptist Church in West Monroe, Louisiana. She attended Louisiana Tech University and the University of Louisiana in Monroe, receiving Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Piano Performance. Robin serves as Director and a piano teacher for FBC's School of Worship Arts. She is actively involved in the community with the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra serving as Secretary and Artistic Advisory Chairperson. Robin has been a featured performer and accompanist for the TSO. She has four published collections of music arrangements for solo and duo piano and choral music and published recordings for solo and duo piano. Robin and her husband, Joe, enjoy spending time with their children, the children's spouses, and their grandchildren.
Debbie Schreve - Director of Women's Ministry
Debbie joined the FBC staff in the summer of 2017. Originally from Houston, Texas, she moved here along with her Sr. Pastor husband, Jeff, in February 2003. Debbie is a graduate of Texas A & M University with a degree in Secondary Education. She and Jeff have been married over 30 years and have 3 grown daughters, 2 beautiful granddaughters and 1 adorable grandson. Debbie is involved in the Worship Ministry, helping to teach a Sunday School class, and speaks around the country with Family Life Ministries on the subject of Marriage and Family. She loves serving together in ministry with Jeff and being a mom and grandmother. She desires to see women learn to depend on the Lord for their value and worth, to dig deep into His Word, and to plug in and get involved at First Baptist Church.
Rochelle Schroeder - Women's Counselor
Rochelle joined the FBC team in January 2018 when her husband, Chris came on as the Counseling Pastor. Her hometown is Blue Springs, MO. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education/Early Childhood with a minor in Psychology and a Master's degree from MidAmerica Nazarene University in Counseling. She served with the International Mission Board in Ukraine from 2001-2005. Before moving to Texarkana, Rochelle taught elementary school for 10 years in Missouri and started her tenure on staff at First Baptist as a PreK-4 teacher at FBC Weekday Preschool & Kindergarten.
Rochelle is happily married to Chris and together they have three daughters. She loves to spend time with her family. She also enjoys music, reading, and watching Chris play tennis.
Stephanie Bright - Minister to Children
Stephanie joined the FBC team in April of 2005. She started working with children as a teenager, and every career opportunity since has led straight back to kids! She considers it a privilege to be able to use her degree in education and her giftedness to make learning FUN to impart her passion for Christ to the children of FBC as well as to children in the surrounding areas. Her goal is to provide the environment and atmosphere for every child to understand the love that Jesus has for them and then to accept Him as their own. She prays that in addition, they will begin to grow in the wisdom of Christ and desire to make a difference for Him in Texarkana. The enthusiasm of a kid who loves to come to church never gets old for her!
Stephanie's ministry is a family effort with her husband, Robert, closely supporting and sharing in every endeavor making sure all lighting, sound, and technical bases are covered. Stephanie and Robert have been blessed with two incredible sons and two equally incredible daughters-in-law, but the cutest member of the family is granddaughter, Charlie Beth!
Grace Graham - Minister of Preschool Education
Grace loves kids! As a minister of Preschool Education, she has the joy and privilege of ministering to preschoolers, their older siblings, their parents, and their grandparents. Her responsibilities include Preschool Sunday School and Mission Friends Leadership, Volunteers In Preschool, Childcare Activities, Vacation Bible School, Mother's Day Out, Weekday Preschool, and various special events for Preschoolers. Grace wants her FBC babies to learn to trust that they will be cared for and loved when at church. She says this is the same kind of trust that will lead them to accept Jesus Christ when they are older and able to understand the Gospel message. For now, they know (as we all do) that "Church is a Happy Place"!
Grace joined the FBC team in June of 1999. She received her Master of Arts Degree in Childhood Education at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She is amazed at the way God has led her as she served churches in Mississippi and Louisiana. Every step of the way He was preparing her for the next step. The step to Texarkana was a big one, and she continues to love every bit of it. Her hobbies include reading, camping, and traveling. She loves her Minature Pinscher, Rudi, who is the head of the household.
Robert Hurley - Facility Manager
Robert joined the FBC team in July 2021. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri and his commission as a Naval Officer in December 1979. Robert served on several surface ships in various roles, spending 13 years at sea including two tours supporting Operation Desert Storm in 1991-92. While in the Navy, he earned a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. His final duty station was Director of Tactical Training for the Pacific Fleet in San Diego. Following retirement, Rob and his family moved to Texarkana where he worked as an electrical engineer for International Paper for 25 years.
He is married to Debbie Hurley of Kansas City, MO since 1979 and they have two sons, Robert and Matthew, and two daughters, Kristina and Kimberly. Matthew and his wife Amy have two sons, Micah and Elias. Kimberly and her husband, Justin, have two daughters, Grace and Maizie Rea. Robert and Debbie enjoy teaching martial arts with their son Robert, walking, and spending time with their friends, children, and grandchildren.
Jay Budzilowski - Director of TV/Media
A native of Texarkana, Jay is a graduate of Pleasant Grove High School. Having attended First Baptist Church from his earliest years, Jay became a vital part of our Student Ministry and eventually served as a ministry intern. After several years of touring North America in a rock band, Pilotdrift, Jay accepted a full-time position in the FBC TV and Media Ministry. Working for four years in various strategic positions, he assumed the position of Director of Television Ministries in 2012. During these past few years, Jay has been a vital part of expanding our Television Ministry from a regional broadcast to an international TV/Radio and Internet ministry. Jay's technological skills and creative mind have made him a valuable part of the FBC team.
Jay has been married to his wife Jill since 2007 and they have 2 beautiful daughters. Jay spends his free time reading books, enjoying the outdoors, and spending time with his family. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University – Texarkana and is currently a Master of Divinity student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Larry Sims - Associate Pastor Emeritus
Larry Sims retired after 44 years of service to FBC and is now our Associate Pastor Emeritus. While he is no longer actively teaching, he is continuing a ministry of prayer and presence amongst our congregation and community. He is a caring pastor with a heart for the Lord and people of all ages. Larry has conducted more weddings and funerals over the years than he can begin to count, even some second generation weddings now. Larry has a love for music, travel, art, and reading. He is a fan of Duke basketball, Duke being his alma mater. Larry has led Senior Adult trips all over the world including numerous visits to Europe, Israel, Egypt, Russia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, Hawaii, and many points in between! He has a great love for the families in our church and has a host of "adopted" children and grandchildren.