Rev. Sam Bartlett – Pastor  

 You may contact Rev. Bartlett at wsbartlett@fbcgalax.org.

Rev. Ricardo Alvarado – Associate Pastor, Hispanic Ministries

A native of Costa Rica, Rev. Ricardo Alvarado has served as Associate Pastor for Hispanic Ministries at First Baptist since January, 2001. He graduated with degrees from the Rio Grande Bible Institute, Edinburg, TX, and the Baptist Seminary of Costa Rica, and has served as pastor and in other capacities at churches throughout Costa Rica and Texas. In addition to his ministry in Galax, Rev. Alvarado serves as a Church Planting Regional Catalyst for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, coordinating and assisting associational leaders and local congregations in spreading the gospel to unreached people in the Southwest Virginia region. He is married to wife Maria, and is blessed with three children.

You may contact Rev. Alvarado at alfa_1955@yahoo.com.

Marian Porter – Preschool Director

Marian Porter has served as the Director of First Baptist Church’s Preschool ministry for twelve years.  Before, she served as director and teacher at Leighton Park Baptist Church’s Preschool for twenty-two years.  She and husband Lewis have been married for forty-six years and are blessed with two children and four grandchildren.  Marian considers it a blessing and joy to work with young children and playing an important part during their developmental years.

You may contact Mrs. Porter at (276) 236-9195.

Elizabeth Vaughan – Family Life Minister

Elizabeth Vaughan has served as the minister for family life at First Baptist Church since March, 2010.  She is supported in the ministry by her husband, David, and their two children.  It gives Elizabeth great joy to be able to serve the families of First Baptist.

You may contact Elizabeth at edv@fbcgalax.org.

Penny Adams – Bus Ministry Coordinator

Penny Adams faithfully volunteers as one of the coordinators of the church’s Bus Ministry, which has successfully operated for over ten years.  Penny, along with her husband Dick and other committed volunteers, picks up children in the local community and brings them to church on Sunday mornings.

Wendi Pemberton – Minister of Music

Marlene Tipton - Administrative Assistant

Marlene Tipton joined the staff of FBC as administrative assistant in April, 2009.  During the previous seventeen years, she served as business manager for an orthopedic surgeon, and then office manager of the diverse properties and holdings of the physician's estate. Marlene is the pianist at her church and thoroughly enjoys the many hours spent each week serving in the music ministry.  In her free time, she enjoys biking, walking, RVing, reading, and spending time with her family.  She and her husband, Bayne, are blessed with one son, two delightful grandchildren, and a daughter-in-law who is an inspiration.

You may contact Marlene at secretary@fbcgalax.org.

Glennis Morris - Financial Secretary

Glennis Morris has served as the financial secretary for First Baptist Church since 1992.

Nancy Hazelwood - Organist

Patty Davis - Pianist

Patty Davis has been playing the piano since she began taking private lessons at the age of eight.  She has always enjoyed playing in church and served at three other churches throughout southwest Virginia before coming to Galax.  After playing for special groups and occasions at First Baptist for several years, she became a member of the music staff in 2001.

Patty has supplied piano accompaniment for musical productions by the Galax Theatre Guild and is currently the pianist for the Highland Camerata, a classical chorus with members from both Virginia and North Carolina.

Patty is married to William "Bill" Davis, Jr. and they have two grown children.

Sandra Jennings - Volunteer Health Nurse

Joey Riggins, Sexton

Joey Riggins has served as sexton at First Baptist Church since 1998.  He and wife Teresa are blessed with two children.