Ministerial Staff

Drew Chapman
Senior Pastor
Drew joined the First Baptist staff in January of 2025 after faithfully serving Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. With a heart for the least, the last, and the lost, Drew is driven by a desire to see lives transformed by the Gospel.
Drew earned both a master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry in Church Health from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, equipping him to lead the church with wisdom, compassion, and a heart for spiritual growth. He has a deep passion for creating clear pathways for people to take their next steps in their walk with Jesus and for reaching out to their community with the love of Christ.
Drew earned both a master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry in Church Health from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, equipping him to lead the church with wisdom, compassion, and a heart for spiritual growth. He has a deep passion for creating clear pathways for people to take their next steps in their walk with Jesus and for reaching out to their community with the love of Christ.

Kris Sullivan
Executive Pastor
After 24 years in the business world, Kris Sullivan was called to First Baptist Church in 2007 following what Kris refers to as “a season of earnest prayer and surrender to the Lord asking Him to show me His will for my life. When I look over my shoulder, I clearly see the reasons He has called me here and I know He is preparing me for things to come.”
Kris earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama in 1983. He earned the SPHR credential in the field of Human Resources in 2003 and was re-certified in 2006.
Kris earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama in 1983. He earned the SPHR credential in the field of Human Resources in 2003 and was re-certified in 2006.

Keith Pugh
Associate Pastor | Seniors
Keith Pugh joined the First Baptist family as the associate pastor of our missions and mens' ministries in January of 2019. Keith joins First Baptist after a long line of serving the Lord in ministry, including as the co-pastor of Alberta Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelors in general business education, and received a Masters of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife Teresa have three children: Keith, Jr., Katie, and Kameron, and eleven grandchildren.

Joe Ziegler
Worship Pastor
Joe Ziegler began serving as Minister of Music and Worship at First Baptist August 5, 2012. In addition to leading worship and directing the Worship Choir, Joe also leads the Prime Time Singers (senior adult choir) and the Revelation Student Choir.
A native of Decatur, AL, Joe has served churches in Alabama and Tennessee. He completed his undergraduate degree from Samford University in 1995 and graduate degree from Southwestern Seminary in 1998.
A native of Decatur, AL, Joe has served churches in Alabama and Tennessee. He completed his undergraduate degree from Samford University in 1995 and graduate degree from Southwestern Seminary in 1998.

RJ Voorhees
Spiritual Growth and Assimilation Pastor
RJ Voorhees began his ministry as College Pastor at First Baptist in August 2016. He previously served as College Minister at First Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina.
RJ has a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the Florida State University, Master of Divinity degree from Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School, and a Doctorate of Ministry in Strategic Leadership and Executive Administration from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
RJ has a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the Florida State University, Master of Divinity degree from Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School, and a Doctorate of Ministry in Strategic Leadership and Executive Administration from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Beth Yates
Minister to Women
Beth Yates joined the staff of First Baptist Church in 2004. She is responsible for our ministry to and with women.
She earned a Masters of Music in Church Music from Ouachita Baptist University in 1985 and a Masters of Education in Childhood Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1988. After graduation from seminary, she spent 25 years in preschool and children’s ministry, the last 10 of those years at First Baptist Tuscaloosa. In 2014 Beth transitioned to leading First Baptist’s Women’s Ministry.
She earned a Masters of Music in Church Music from Ouachita Baptist University in 1985 and a Masters of Education in Childhood Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1988. After graduation from seminary, she spent 25 years in preschool and children’s ministry, the last 10 of those years at First Baptist Tuscaloosa. In 2014 Beth transitioned to leading First Baptist’s Women’s Ministry.

Jody Gambrell
Student Pastor
Jody Gambrell began his ministry as Student Pastor at First Baptist in February 2014 after serving churches in Birmingham, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida. Jody’s area of ministry includes middle school and high school students.
Jody has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Master of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Jody has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Master of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

David Jennings
Children's Pastor
David joined the ministry team at First Baptist Tuscaloosa in 2018. Prior to his service here, David was the Children’s minister at First Baptist Baton Rouge. David also worked at Group Publishing where he aided in the development of Children’s level curriculum.
David received his bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL.
David received his bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL.

Nathan Verghese
College Pastor
Nathan graduated from the University of Alabama in 2020 with a B.S. in Psychology . In August 2020 he began pursuing a Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School. During his years as a student at Alabama, Nathan was involved on our college student leadership team and also served on staff with our student ministry at FBCT.
After serving for 2 years in our Fellowship program, Nathan joined our staff as an Associate minster in June 2022. In Summer 2023, Nathan became the college pastor at First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa.
After serving for 2 years in our Fellowship program, Nathan joined our staff as an Associate minster in June 2022. In Summer 2023, Nathan became the college pastor at First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa.

Eliobin Rodriguez
Hispanic Church Planting Resident
Iglesia Biblica Bautista Pastor
Iglesia Biblica Bautista Pastor
Eliobin joined the ministry team at First Baptist Tuscaloosa in 2023.
Ministry Support Staff

Charles Allen
Facilities Supervisor

Julie Bosch
CDP Director

Leigh Anne Darnell Stewart
Communication

Becky Hall
Pastor's Assistant | Music

Angela Benster
Financial Ministry

Sandy Howell
Preschool | CDP

Erin Keith
Worship Associate, Children's Music

Pat Kibbey
Food Services Director

Emilee Manning
Associate Kids' Minister

Donna McCown
Senior Adults | Women

Ray Meggs
Maintenance Supervisor

Beth Gianelloni
Associate Minister for Missions & Spiritual Development

Jack Powell
Student Worship | Media

Miranda Cox
Associate College Minister

Collette Ray
Reception | Adults

Barbara Smith
Pianist

Michelle Stephens
Human Resources

Kristy Myers
Reception
Gathering Times
Sunday Mornings: 8:30 a.m. & 11a.m.
Life Groups at 9:45 a.m.
Wednesday Nights at 5 p.m.
Life Groups at 9:45 a.m.
Wednesday Nights at 5 p.m.