Dr. Darren Gaddis, Senior Pastor

On April 25, 2010, Dr. Darren Gaddis and his family accepted the call to be our new Senior Pastor!
Pastor Darren has been in the ministry for nearly 20 years, having served churches in Florida, Texas and Kentucky. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of West Florida, a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also a former President and 2nd Vice President of the Kentucky Baptist Convention and is a Trustee of GuideStone® Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Darren and his wife, Jennifer, have three children: Leah, Ethan and Meredith. He enjoys golf, reading and traveling with his family.
Click here to E-mail Pastor Darren, or call 352-629-5683 Ext 127.

Dr. Phillip Hanes, Senior Associate Pastor

Phillip and his wife Mary came to First Baptist Church in March of 1984 to begin an exciting ministry journey here in Ocala!  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 Senior Pastor will be a great blessing for me personally.  Awesome days are ahead!
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. Brian Caple, Interim Minister of Music
 

Brian became a Christian at age 13 and surrendered to full-time ministry as a freshman in college. Brian, Dianne, and their two children, Brian Andrew and Catherine, came to First Baptist Church of Ocala in 2000. Brian served briefly as Organist/Music Associate, Associate Minister of Music, and Interim Minister of Music before becoming Associate Pastor for Music and Worship in 2002. In 2007 the Caples moved to Fort Worth, Texas so Brian could return to Southwestern Seminary in preparation for God’s call on his life to Pastor a church. They have recently returned to Ocala to serve FBC in an interim capacity during this exciting time of transition.
In addition to Ocala, Brian has served churches in Melbourne and Miami, Florida.
Brian holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Florida State University (1987) and a Master of Music degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1990). He has also done additional coursework toward a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Leadership degree.
Brian has a passion for church planting, missions, and growing fully-devoted disciples of Jesus. He enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, canoeing, fishing, hiking, fishing, reading, and fishing.   
Click here to E-mail Brian, or call 352-629-5683 ext. 123.

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.

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