Michael Cook became the Senior Pastor of Albuquerque's First Baptist Church in January of 2006, having previously served as pastor at churches in Gilmer, Hempstead, and McLeod, Texas. He attended and/or holds degrees from East Texas Baptist University, Stephen F. Austin State University, New Orleans Theological Seminary, and Texas A&M Commerce. "I hope to do three things in my ministry," Michael says: "Deepen understanding of God's Word, impact lives for the better, and make people feel special." He and his wife, Becky, have one daughter, Amber.
A FEW FUN FAVORITES
FAVORITE BOOKS: "The Present Future;" "The Tipping Point"
FAVORITE MOVIE: Hoosiers
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Colorado Mountains
FAVORITE PASTTIME ACTIVITIES: Watching football, doing yard work
ONE THING NO ONE WOULD GUESS ABOUT ME: I am really a "shy" person.
Jason Millsaps has served as the Worship Pastor since August 2008. Jason graduated from Carson Newman College and holds a Master of Arts in Worship from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He began writing music in 1997, following his call into music ministry, and has recorded three albums. Jason became a Christ Follower at the age of six while attending Children's Church at his home church in Knoxville. He says, "My passion is leading people in worship through music. My purpose in life is to love God, evangelize the lost, and help others become closer to God through music. It thrills my soul to help others truly worship in spirit and truth. It is a privilege to have such a great opportunity to lead worship every week." He and his wife, Andrea, have two sons, Jonathan and Jaden.
A FEW FUN FAVORITES
FAVORITE BOOKS: The Complete Worship Leader; Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire; anything by John Maxwell
FAVORITE MOVIES: Dumb and Dumber; Lord of the Rings; all Pixar movies
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Destin, FL
FAVORITE PASTTIME ACTIVITIES: Playing golf, hunting
ONE THING NO ONE WOULD GUESS ABOUT YOU: I hate cheese but love pizza.
As the Minister of Outreach and Evangelism, Kevin Linthicum says, "I am driven to invest time and energy into the lives of people around me. I would like to see my investment yield a change in the spiritual lives of others." Kevin began his position in April of 2006, having previously been a private business owner in Texas. He holds a BACMin degree with a minor in Biblical Studies. He and his wife, Susan, have two children -- Stewart and Alexis.
A FEW FUN FAVORITES
FAVORITE BOOKS: "If You Want to Walk on Water You Have to Get Out of the Boat;" "The Master Plan of Evangelism;" "The Tipping Point;" "Air Frame;" "Returning to Holiness;" "Fox on Socks" (Kevin reads a lot!)
FAVORITE MOVIES: Remember the Titans, Midway, Patton, A Few Good Men, It's a Wonderful Life (And sees lots of movies!)
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Destin, Florida
FAVORITE PASTTIME ACTIVITIES: Golf, spending time with my wife and kids
ONE THING NO ONE WOULD GUESS ABOUT ME: I am tenderhearted.
Burben "Trey" Sullins has served as Children's and Preschool Pastor since July of 2006. Trey holds a Masters in Christian Education from Southwestern Theological Seminary and has served at churches in both Mississippi and Florida. He and his wife, Kristi, who is a great asset to his ministry, have three young children -- Trason, Sophia, and Elijah. "I see Children's Ministry as one of the most important ministries in the church -- they will become the adults in the church, and this is one of the most influential times in anyone's life. I want to produce a 7th grader who is already serving and knows what it means to be a follower of Christ and how to share that with their friends."
A FEW FUN FAVORITES
FAVORITE BOOKS: "Blue Like Jazz," by Donald Miller (or any other Donald Miller book!); "The Barbarian Way," by Erwin McManus
FAVORITE MOVIES: X-Men; any Jet Li movie; National Treasure
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: A cruise -- wherever the boat takes me!
FAVORITE PASTTIME ACTIVITIES: Family, golf, working on my truck
ONE THING NO ONE WOULD GUESS ABOUT YOU: I love talk radio...it's the only thing that keeps me awake on long drives.
Chad Marrs serves as our Youth Pastor. Having previously served at several churches in (you guessed it) Texas, Chad arrived at the end of January, 2008 with his wife Bobbye and their four children -- Grace, Hope, Lily, and Chase. Chad says, "I believe God's plans are bigger than we can ever imagine and He desires willing people of all ages, backgrounds, and talents to join Him in His plans. It is my desire to enthusiastically serve God and encourage others to discover God's will for their lives." Chad is currently working on a Bachelor of Christian Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
A FEW FUN FAVORITES
FAVORITE BOOK: "Communicating for a Change"
FAVORITE MOVIE: Braveheart
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Somewhere sandy
FAVORITE PASTTIME ACTIVITY: Watching ESPN
ONE THING NO ONE WOULD GUESS ABOUT ME: I was formerly a trapeze artist!
After 32 years in law enforcement, Danny Whatley became the director of Noon Day in January of 2008. Danny says, "God has shown me so much over the past two years. I have realized that one of the most important needs in our society is to show people the compassion of Christ. When [people] see Jesus through the love of Noon Day, it makes an amazing difference." He and his wife, Roberta, have been married for 35 years and have two grown children, Amy and Michael, and several grandchildren.
A FEW FUN FAVORITES:
FAVORITE MOVIE: Shenandoah
FAVORITE RECORDING ARTIST: James Taylor
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Red River, NM & Ouray, CO
FAVORITE THING ABOUT ALBUQUERQUE: The climate and close proximity to snow.
