Meet the Pastors

We want you to get to know us. Pictured below are some of the people that oversee major ministry areas of our church. This is just a starting point and not a complete list of our ministerial staff. Click HERE for a complete staff list and email contacts.

	Dr. Mel Blackaby Senior Pastor Believing that God’s great salvation is both personal and corporate, I strive to challenge people to live out their Christian faith within the family of God and before a watching world that needs Christ. God has given me the opportunity to write books, speak at conferences, and travel on mission, but my greatest love remains in the local church - that is where all the action is. As Senior Pastor, my greatest concern is to point people to Christ, the Lord of their life and the head of our church. I love all kinds of sports, but football and hockey really do it for me. I also love taking our horses out with the family or going for a strong cup of coffee.
	Dr. Lanny Loe Senior Associate Pastor / Minister of Missions I am living out God’s call to missions and taking as many people with me as possible. Our mission efforts start locally with benevolence ministries like the medical clinic, clothes closet, and food distribution. I also give leadership to mission trips that go across the street or around the world. Within our staff structure, I also give leadership to our eight ethnic and targeted congregations. Beyond the mission aspect of my call, I also work closely with the Senior Pastor to give leadership to our staff. I enjoy travelling (which helps when you do missions) and spending time with my family.
	Dr. Scott Allred Associate Pastor / Minister of Music I am called of God to be a shepherd in the local church, using the ministry of music to encourage all people to live out Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Believing He is worthy of our best, I strive to call on His Spirit to enable me to use my gifts and talents to develop a diverse ministry through which all kinds of people can individually and collectively develop and employ their musical talents for the purpose of glorifying and enjoying God. I enjoy spending time with my family, watching Alabama football, reading a good book and exercising.
	Rev. Glen Howe Associate Pastor / Minister of Discipleship God has called us all to make disciples. He has specifically called me to equip and encourage believers for this task. My areas of responsibility include Sunday school, discipleship classes, outreach/evangelism, and assimilation. There is no greater reward in this life than to see someone come to faith in Christ and begin to grow in Him. I have been blessed with a loving wife, Sondra, four children and four grandchildren. I enjoy playing golf, exercising, and working in the yard.
	Rev. Wes Agnew Associate Pastor of Business Administration My direct responsibilities include oversight of the annual budget, coordinating the facilities of the church (scheduling of events, housekeeping, maintenance, upkeep of grounds), technology, food service, and day-to-day business operations of the church. I enjoy golf, snow skiing, running, and reading a good book.
	Rev. Irvin Pearre Minister of Pastoral Care and Senior Adults I have the privilege of giving care to families in need which includes hospital visitation and working with families who have lost loved ones. I also minister to our senior adults and direct our senior adult choir, The Glory Singers. I enjoy singing, gardening, and horses. Most of all, I love to spend time with my six grandchildren.
	Rev. Mike Blackaby Minister to College and Young Adults I truly believe God desires to change the world through this generation of young Christians. He did it in the Bible through young adults like David, Josiah, Esther, and Timothy, and I believe He desires the same today. Working with the college and young adults is an adventure since it is such a pivotal time in their lives. At this age, many will choose to trust God with their lives or walk away. It is my desire that they will not only choose to follow Him, but that they will experience the amazing spiritual life that goes hand-in-hand with that choice. I grew up in Canada, so naturally I love snowboarding and hockey! Playing and listening to music are also passions of mine, and I (not so) secretly hold the dream of becoming a rock star one day.
	Rev. Larry Lawrence Minister to Students I have the privilege of ministering to and overseeing the student ministry which includes Middle School and High School. This involves our major gatherings on Sunday and Wednesday evenings as well as many great events that our students enjoy. Our facilities are great, and give us many options in reaching and teaching the students God has given us. I love to hang out with Anna, my wife and best friend of 36 years. I also enjoy photography and golf.
	Rev. Roger Allen Minister to Middle School In 2003, God opened a door to come and serve Middle School Students at FBCJ and it has simply been tremendous. I count it as a humble responsibility! WEEKLY we have the awesome responsibility to equip these students to go out share the word of God through their love and actions. When I’m not at church I have the privilege of being married to my awesome wife Maru and the Dad to two great daughters Katherine 13 & Rachael 9. In my spare time, when I can find it, I enjoy fishing the area lakes and if the South Carolina Gamecocks are playing you’ll probably catch me in front of the televisions rooting for them!
	Rev. Jason Hand Minister to Children & Preschool I am a part of a great team that partners with parents and volunteers to provide children a fun and safe place to learn about Jesus. We do that through children’s Sunday School, camps, Vacation Bible School, parenting classes, and other strategic events. Jason and his wife Shanna have 3 beautiful children, Grace, Baker and Brooks. He loves spending time with his family, watching Andy Griffith, movies and eating barbecue and Mexican food.
	Rev. Daniel Compton Minister of Recreation and Outreach I believe that God reaches out to people in many different ways. Here at First Baptist Jonesboro, I not only get to see our mighty God work in these many ways, I get to be part of what He is doing too. God has blessed us with wonderful facilities in our Recreational Outreach Center, (The ROC), and it is a joy seeing it used for His glory. Whether it is leading our ROC basketball program, organizing sports camps, or planning events and trips, I get to be part of a great ministry to our community, and our church body. We serve a powerful, loving, and creative God. It is so wonderful to be part of a church that understands this creativity, and desires to be onboard in the many unique ways He seeks to touch people’s lives. God has blessed me with a wonderful wife, Emily, and I love being able to spend time with her. We both enjoy playing music, travelling, skiing, hiking, camping, and just enjoying the beauty of God’s creation.