Dr. Jim Henry, Interim Senior Pastor

Dr. James B. Henry holds a B.A. from Georgetown College in KY and B.D and M. Div. degrees from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Jeanette have three grown children—Kitty, Betsy, and Jim II—and five grandsons.
 His many accomplishments in his years of ministry include being President of the Florida Baptist Pastors’ Conference, Trustee for the International Mission Board, President of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Pastors’ Conference, and President of the Southern Baptist Convention.
 Dr. Henry’s most recent pastoral position has been as pastor of First Baptist Church, Orlando, where he has been pastor (Emeritus) from 1977 to present.  In addition to leading this vibrant congregation of believers, he has been very active in the community lives of Orlando and Orange County.
Dr Henry as been a contributing author to several magazines, including Home Life Magazine, and has published several books including Keeping Life in Perspective, and Dangerous Intersections:  Eleven Crucial Crossroads Facing the Church in America (with Jay Dennis).
In his spare time, Dr. Henry enjoys fishing, jogging, golf, and travel.
Click here to E-mail Dr. Henry, or call 352-629-5683 Ext 127.

Dr. Phillip Hanes, Senior Associate Pastor

On March 1, 2009, Phillip celebrated his 25th anniversary on staff here at First Baptist Church.
Phillip and Mary came to Ocala in 1984 to begin an exciting journey in ministry here in Florida.
Today, they are the proud parents of three grown children and proud grandparents to one precious granddaughter!
Phillip is a graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he received his Bachelor’s degree, his Master’s degree, and finally, a Doctor of Ministry degree with an emphasis in Pastoral Counseling.
Phillip writes:
I am excited about the coming days as our church begins a new season of ministry!  Working with our new Interim Senior Pastor, Dr. Jim Henry, will be a great blessing for me personally.
My goal continues to be to follow Jesus in my life, as well as to be an encourager, a catalyst, an evaluator, and an active participant in all we do here at our church.
 My earnest desire is to allow the truth of II Timothy 2:15 to be descriptive of my life:
“Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing (rightly handling and skillfully teaching) the Word of Truth.” – Amplified Bible
Click here to E-mail Phillip, or call 352-629-5683 ext. 127.

Rev. Monty Grant, Associate Pastor for Business Administration

Rev. Monty Grant has served as Associate Pastor for Business Administration since June, 1999. He was called to ministry from Two Rivers Baptist Church in Nashville, TN, and earned the Master of Arts in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Memphis, and a Master of Tax Accounting from the University of Alabama. He and his wife Melody have 2 cocker spaniels, Gracie and Charlie. He enjoys RV’ing, saltwater fishing, Gator football, and NASCAR.
Click here to E-mail Monty, or call 352-629-5683 ext. 130.

Rev. Kevin Kite, Minister of Missions

Kevin has the great privilege of being married to Jeanna and being called “Dad” by 4 incredible children.  Kelsey, Jacob, Evelynn, and Lydia complete the Kite Gang.
He has been blessed with the privilege to serve in the church that his family has considered “home” for the past 20 years.  He has served at FBC since January, 2002.
Kevin graduated from Central Florida Community College (’91), Florida State University (’94) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (’98) and is pleased to now learn from the members of FBC as we journey together.
His time away finds him camping with his family, fishing and running.
Click here to E-mail Kevin, or call 352-629-5683 ext. 145.

Rev. Harvey Rowe, Interim Minister of Music

Harvey is originally from Newport News, Virginia.  As a seven year-old boy, he accepted Christ as his personal Savior at Temple Baptist Church, answered God’s call to vocational ministry at age fourteen, and later committed his life to full-time music ministry in the local church.
Harvey has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee and the Master of Church Music degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.  Harvey was ordained into the Gospel Ministry in 1981 at his home church in Newport News, Virginia.
His wife, Trish, is from Nashville, Tennessee.  She is also a graduate of Belmont University and is a career public school teacher.  Over the past thirty-five years, Harvey and Trish have served churches in Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia.
In August, Harvey and his wife will celebrate thirty-nine years of marriage.  Their two children, Elizabeth and Andy, are married.  Elizabeth, her husband Henry and their grandson, Pierce, live in Burlington, North Carolina.  Andy, his wife, Tracie and their granddaughters, Kailynn  and Annaliese , live in Jamestown, North Carolina.
Click here to E-mail Harvey, or call 352-629-5683 ext. 126.

David Ripple, Interim Contemporary Worship Leader

David was born and raised in Dunnellon, FL and has been a worship leader for 10 years. After moving to Nashville,TN in 2005, he moved back to accept a position at another local church.
David came to FBC in January of 2009. He loves to spend his free time fishing, hiking, reading, or playing his guitar.
Click here to E-mail David, or call 352-629-5683 ext 154.

Rev. Bryan Bair, Minister to Students

Bryan, also referred to as “Bear” around the church, has been serving in ministry for the past 11 years -usually involving students.  He is a graduate of Florida State University (2000) and Liberty Theological Seminary (2008).  Bryan is married to his lovely wife Alena.  They both count it a blessing to be parents of their 4 year old son Gabriel.  In his free time, aside from spending time with his family, he enjoys hunting, fishing, golf (disk and regular), camping…just about anything outdoors.  
Click here to e-mail Bryan or call 352-629-5683 ext 120.
 

Jerry Easley, Minister to Preschool and Children

Jerry has served for 22 years as a Preschool and Children's Pastor. He is a graduate of Cumberland College in Kentucky and attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  Since 1987 he has served churches in Tennessee, Georgia and Florida as pastor to preschool, children and youth, as well as serving in the roles of pastor and associate pastor.  He serves as a Ministry Multiplier for the Florida Baptist Convention, is a licensed Church Health Consultant and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
  Jerry and his wife Mary Ellen married in 1969.  They have two sons, Jeremy and Joel, and three grandchildren Jarrett, Izzy and Jonah.  Mary Ellen is an Interpreter for the Deaf.  She uses her skills by serving the Marion County Public Schools and the Deaf Ministry of FBC Ocala.
  Jerry's responsibilities include, administrating a Childhood Education Ministry for children from birth through fifth grade, including ministry programming in Sunday School, Missions, Discipleship, Awana, Upward sports, Child evangelism and Parenting.
Click here to E-mail Jerry, or call 352-629-5683 ext. 142.

**Note. If you do not have an e-mail program set as your default on your personal computer, you can e-mail any fbc staff member by using their first name and then "@fbcocala.org. **