Our Pastor

On April 25, 2010, Dr. Darren Gaddis and his family accepted the call to be our Senior Pastor! He will begin preaching at First Baptist Church on June 6.

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.

• 1989-1991 Interim Youth Minister, Olive Baptist Church, Pensacola, FL

• 1991-1993 Youth Associate, Olive Baptist Church, Pensacola, FL

• 1993-1997 Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX

• 1995-1997 Pastor’s Intern, First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX

• 1998-2001 Senior Pastor, Liberty Point Baptist Church, Cadiz, KY

• 2002  Senior Pastor, Central Baptist Church, Corbin, KY

Licensed to the Gospel Ministry: Olive Baptist Church, Pensacola, FL

Ordained to the Gospel Ministry: Yellow Creek Baptist Church, Owensboro, KY

Please welcome Pastor Darren and Jennifer, Leah, Ethan and Meredith to First Baptist Church and to Ocala!

Send a message to Pastor Darren.

Pastor View Pastor Darren's first message at First Baptist Church, "Faith Forward."