Involved Leadership
 

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Pepper Puryear, Pastor 

Bro. Pepper Puryear came to First Baptist Church in January of 1993.  He is native of Cisco, Texas where he graduated from high school.  Bro. Pepper received a bachelor's degree from Howard Payne University and a Master's degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He began pastoring in 1978 as a college student.  First Baptist is his fourth pastorate.

Placing an emphasis on biblical exposition and its application, Bro. Pepper desires his messages to be riveted to reality.  Each message is designed with real world living in mind.  He is married to Debra and is the father of three grown children, Austin and his wife Haley, Andrew and Kathleen. 
Running, reading, a round of golf, and being a fan of high school athletics takes up Bro. Pepper's spare time.  He is also an avid follower of the Boston Red Sox.

Bro. Pepper's desire for First Baptist is for us to be a family where Jesus is experienced and we are changed into HIS likeness.

 

Shannon Hassell, Associate Pastor/ Minister to Families 

Shannon joined First Baptist Church as Minister to Families in September of 2009.  After serving many years with students and pastoring for almost 8 years at First Baptist Church in Yantis,  Shannon, his wife Cyndi and boys Daniel and Caleb come as a family to minister to families and the total ministry of First Baptist, Mt. Vernon.  “I believe everyone is a part of a family, whether a family of one or ten.  The Church, the Body of Christ, is composed of families and we must be intentional and passionate about reaching, loving and supporting the family today when social pressures are tearing them down.”  Shannon accepted Christ at the age of ten, accepted the call to minister as a high school senior, and when not serving at the church enjoys sports, outdoor activities and woodworking.

 

Fred Randles, Associate / Minister of Music

An ordained minister Fred was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, grew up in Tennessee and educated at the University of Tennessee.  He is married to his wife Jane and they are the parents of a daughter and son-in-law Natalie and Darren Brown and have two granddaughters, Olivia and Camille. 

Fred had been the recipient of certificates of appreciation from four United States Presidents, The U. S. Congress and the governments of Cozumel, Mexico and the Bahamas, as well as the entertainment division of Walt Disney World. 

Fred recently came to us after 25 years of service at First Baptist Church, Sulphur Springs, Texas. 

 

Aric Davis, Associate Minister of Youth

Aric David jointed First Baptist Church as associate minister of youth in 2005,  after graduating from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a master of arts degree in Christian Education.

Aric grew up in East Texas, where his father is a minister.  He became a Christian at age eight and surrendered to the ministry when he was sixteen years old.  Aric says “God gave me a passion to work with students.  I love to feed off their energy and redirect it toward the work of Christ.  Since 80% of all people who come to know Christ do so before the age of eighteen it gives me a sense of urgency.  I pray that my students will use the tools with which we equip them to continue their daily walk with Christ after they graduate from high school.  Aric has been happily married to Angela since 2002 and they have two children, a daughter, Jaycee and a son Jaxon.  He loves to spend time outdoors and with family and friends.

 

Mauricio Cadena, Pastor Primera Igesia Bautista Hispana

Mauricio Cadena was born in Bogota, Columbia.  While working and touring in America as a circus clown he attended an ESL class at a church in Greenville, Texas, where he came to know the Lord.  Bro. Mauricio has served in various capacities; teaching adults, children, and men’s classes.  He received a Bible degree from the Hispanic Seminary in San Antonio in 2005 and has been serving as the pastor of the Hispanic congregation in Hagansport near Mount Vernon and at First Baptist Church Mount Vernon since 2008.
 

 

Sherrie Rutledge, Director of KUC

Sherrie is a lifelong resident of Mt. Vernon.  Married to husband Jack, they have three grown children and 6 grandchildren.  Sherrie came to Kids Under Construction in 1999 after working in the Mt. Vernon I.S.D. school system for 10 years.  She held positions as preschool/children’s choir director, church secretary/treasurer, and numerous other volunteer positions in her former church before becoming a member of First Baptist Church.  She is licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, has a Professional Administrator’s Credential and holds a Certificate of Leadership in Childhood and Weekday Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  She serves on Church Weekday Education’s East Texas Regional Planning Committee for its annual training held annually at East Texas University, and has served as both president and co-president of the Northeast Texas Childcare Association. 

 

Tina Wilmeth,  Facilities Manager  

Marian Strickland,  Financial Secretary                    

Kristie Blair, Secretary

Terri Flanagan, Receptionist 

Thomas Strickland,  Maintence Manager

Ann Blair, Organist

Dixie McClain, Pianist