Deanna had the privilege of growing up at First Baptist Dallas and graduated from Baylor University with a major in Math Education. She is passionate to use her education background by encouraging children to know, love and serve Jesus. Deanna and her husband, Forrest, have one daughter.
Executive Team
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Dr. Robert Jeffress
Senior Pastor
Dr. Robert Jeffress is Senior Pastor of the 16,000-member First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas and a Fox News Contributor. He has made more than 4,000 guest appearances on various radio and television programs and regularly appears on major mainstream media outlets such as Fox News Channel’s Fox and Friends, Hannity, Fox News @ Night, Fox Business, as well as HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher.
Established in 1996, Pathway to Victory serves as the broadcast ministry of Dr. Jeffress and exists to Pierce the darkness with the light of God’s Word through the most effective media available. The daily radio programs air on over 1,000 stations. The daily television program can be seen Monday through Friday and every Sunday on over 11,000 cable and satellite systems including the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), where it has been the #1 viewed program since 2020. The Pathway to Victory broadcasts reach all major markets in the USA and another 195 countries throughout the world. Additionally, Pathway to Victory ministers globally through podcasting and social and digital media. On each daily broadcast, Dr. Robert Jeffress provides practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through clear, uncompromised Biblical teaching. The National Religious Broadcasters recognized Pathway to Victory with the prestigious “Radio Program of the Year Award” for 2025.
Dr. Jeffress is the author of more than 34 books including A Place Called Heaven: Surprising Truths About Your Eternal Home; Courageous: Strategies for Thriving in a Hostile World; What Every Christian Should Know: Core Beliefs for Standing Strong in a Shifting World, 18 Minutes with Jesus: Straight Talk from the Savior About the Things That Matter Most and THE 10: How to Live and Love in a World That’s Lost Its Way, and his newest book ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES? Biblical Answers to 7 Questions about the Future.
Dr. Jeffress graduated with a DMin from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a BS from Baylor University. In May 2010, he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree from Dallas Baptist University. In June 2011, Dr. Jeffress received the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year award from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also an adjunct professor at Dallas Theological Seminary.
Dr. Jeffress and his wife Amy have two daughters and three grandchildren.
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Dr. Ben Lovvorn
Senior Executive Pastor
Dr. Ben Lovvorn serves by leading and overseeing the ministries, administration, and operation of First Baptist Dallas. As Senior Executive Pastor, Dr. Lovvorn also provides leadership to the church’s worldwide broadcast ministry, Pathway to Victory, and serves as the President of First Dallas Media, which owns and operates KCBI, one of the most listened to Christian radio stations in the country. He has served in full-time ministry for more than a decade and is passionate about building the church of Jesus Christ and equipping the saints for the work of the ministry. Dr. Lovvorn earned a PhD in Christian Leadership in Ministry from Liberty University’s School of Divinity, a Juris Doctorate from Baylor Law School, and a BBA from Hardin Simmons University where he played college football for the HSU Cowboys. Dr. Lovvorn and his wife, Parris, have four sons and one daughter.
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Nate Curtis
Associate Executive Pastor
Nate is a natural fit to lead our broadcast and communications ministries because he believes media is a powerful, efficient way to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to the entire world. When he’s not spending time with his wife, Lindsey, he’s likely on the golf course or pursuing his other hobby, photography.
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Ryland Whitehorn
Executive Pastor of Ministries
Ryland believes the church should be the center of our community, operating as a New Testament church to serve as “home” for thousands of people. Ryland and his wife, Renea, have two married daughters, Shea and Kelsi, and four grandchildren.
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Guy Shafer
Associate Executive Pastor, Executive Office
Guy Shafer is an integrator for our ministries and operations, helping the church accomplish its mission strategically and effectively. He is also the champion and leader of the Stewardship Ministry at First Dallas. Guy has served in full-time ministry for more than 40 years. Married in 1985, he and Mary have two children and seven grandchildren, all living in the DFW area.
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Dr. Cliff Duren
Executive Pastor of Music & Worship
Dr. Duren is a gifted orchestrator and arranger and has earned five Dove Awards for his contributions to church music. After becoming a Christian at age 17, Dr. Duren pursued a bachelor’s degree in music education from Shorter University in Rome, Georgia. He then earned a master’s degree in church music from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. Most recently, he completed a Doctorate of Education in Worship Leadership from Southwestern Seminary. Cliff and his wife, April, have four children: two sons and two daughters.
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Jill Sullivan
Executive Director of Administration
Jill considers it a gift to use her experience in accounting and business administration to serve the Lord and support the ministry of First Dallas. She sees each day as a blessing and desires to steward well what the Lord has entrusted to First Dallas. She is blessed with an amazing husband, John, and three crazy dogs.
She looks to 1 Peter 4:10-11 as a daily reminder of her calling to serve. “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God… whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
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Robert Reeves
Executive Director of Operations
Robert recently retired from law enforcement after 20 years, where he served in various roles from a deployment unit, SWAT member, and Public Information Officer, and managed countless security needs for private businesses and schools. He values family time with his wife and three children, and they love going to the lake.
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Alan Lynch
Minister of Pastoral Care
Alan has served full-time on the staff of First Baptist Church of Dallas since May of 1987. He has a passion for ministering to and assisting the body of Christ in experiencing God’s fullest blessings. He is passionate about the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, and he is passionate about his family. Alan and his wife, Janna, have three adult married children and six grandchildren.
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Michael Clarke
Executive Director of Pathway to Victory
Michael Clarke serves as the Executive Director of Pathway to Victory. With a business acumen and a passion for ministry, Michael has held executive leadership roles in major international faith-based media organizations for over 30 years. He authored the best-selling Canada: Portraits of Faith and has owned and operated restaurants with McDonald’s and Dairy Queen.
Born in Canada, he has lived in Texas since 2000 where he and wife, Cindy, enjoy a very close relationship with their two adult children, their spouses, and their six grandchildren. Michael’s life verse is Micah 6:8: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
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Sherryn Cates
Director of Finance and Accounting
Sherryn serves with infectious enthusiasm, implementing and maintaining best business practices as part of First Dallas’s commitment to excellent stewardship. Sherryn and her husband, Ross, have a son, daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren.
Life Stage
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Sean Beach
Associate Minister of Education
Sean serves as the Associate Minister of Education at First Baptist Dallas. In addition to his role at First Baptist Dallas, Sean serves on the Board of Directors for Disciple Leaders Network (DLN), a national ministry dedicated to empowering church leaders to cultivate disciple-making movements. Whether teaching in a Sunday School class, serving abroad on the mission field, leading a D-Group, or preaching in the pulpit, his greatest desire is to see people come to faith in Jesus Christ and to fall more and more in love with God’s Word. Sean and his wife, Katie, have been blessed with three beautiful daughters—Caroline, Madison, and Emily—who are truly gifts from God and a constant source of joy in their lives.
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Shelly Taylor
Minister to Preschool & Children
Shelly received a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Arts in Christian Education. She is passionate about serving in preschool and children’s ministry as these are the years when boys and girls are introduced to Jesus Christ for the very first time. She is married to her husband, Tye, and has three children and six grandchildren.
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Noelle Donaldson
Curriculum Coordinator
An avid traveler (particularly by ship!), Noelle is passionate about Home Education and desires for each child to progress at their own pace. Noelle and her husband, Gordon, have three children.
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Jared Haas
Associate Minister to Junior High Students
Jared graduated with a Bachelor of Youth Ministry and Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute, then served as a Junior High Youth Pastor at the largest Nondenominational International English-speaking church in Hong Kong. Jared ministered there for five years as a cross-cultural missionary and met his wife, Amanda. Now, Jared is currently enrolled at Dallas Theological Seminary, pursuing his Master’s in Apologetics and Evangelism. He and Amanda have a son, Ruger and a husky dog, Kuzco.
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Davin Hutchinson
Associate Student Minister of Worship
Davin is passionate about leading students in responding to God’s grace. He is married to Brooke who is originally from the Bahamas and together they have twin boys.
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Daira Traynor
Associate Minister to Girls
Daira Avery Traynor, well known for her abundant joy, is the Girl’s Minister at First Baptist Dallas. She is passionate about helping the next generation of seventh through twelfth-grade girls discover their true identity in Christ. Daira graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, receiving a degree in Commercial Music. Daira is a proud Texan who resides with her amazingly funny husband, Sean Traynor, and their dog, Boots.
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Jay Sedwick
College & Career Minister
Jay is a fourth-generation church member at First Baptist Dallas. He and his family have attended the church for over 100 years. Jay graduated from Baylor University, where he played football and positively influenced those around him. Jay actively prayed for and shared his faith with members of the team and the coaching staff. Jay is currently pursuing his ThM degree at Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Hannah, have been married since 2020.
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Kevin Batista
Minister to Students
Kevin’s parents were church planters overseas, and from an early age, he saw the life-changing impact that the Church has worldwide. He believes that the Church can help people discover and use their unique gifts to impact eternity. Outside of work, Kevin loves hanging out with family & friends at the movies, games, or concerts. He is also a frustrated guitar player. He and his wife, Kim, have three great kids.
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Micah Gill
Minister to Young Adults
Micah is passionate about connecting young couples through Sunday School. From the excitement of being newlyweds to the challenges of raising a family, he is dedicated to walking alongside people during these special seasons of life. He is married to his wife, Ann, and they have three amazing kids: Graham, Charlie, and Ellie. Micah loves spending time outdoors with family and friends, whether at the ballfield or on the deer lease.
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Jeff Adams
Minister to Adult 3 and Pastoral Counseling
Jeff loves the Sunday School environment at First Baptist Dallas because it is through Sunday School that a big church becomes small and people find community. Jeff and Sheri have adult children. In their spare time, Jeff and Sheri enjoy walking their dogs and cooking dinner for friends in their home.
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Jim Haines
Minister to Senior Adults
Jim is passionate about working with adults 60 and older because they are the best! He is encouraged by their energy and hearts for the Lord and reaching others for Christ. When Jim isn’t working, he enjoys being with his family—preferably at the beach! He also enjoys musical theater, the symphony, golf, and the gun range. Jim is married to his wife, Nan, and they have four adult children, a son-in-law, and a daughter-in-law.
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Pam Brewer
Minister to Women
Pam is passionate about representing the women of the church and equipping them for ministry to one another, encouraging them in their own discipleship to expand for the kingdom of God. She and her husband, David, have two children, Ben and Natalie, and four grandsons.
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Brenna Coley
Associate Minister to Women
Brenna Coley is the Associate Minister to Women at First Baptist Dallas. She is passionate about how God’s Word can change people’s lives. She is a wife to Aaron and a mom to four incredible girls.
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Barry Ford
Minister to Singles and Men’s Ministry
Barry is passionate about helping singles and men in all seasons of life. Barry and his wife, Ellen, are the proud parents of twins.
Music
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Joe Hardin
Associate Minister of Instrumental Music
With a background in college teaching and Music Ministry, Joe is very passionate about how instrumental ensembles draw God’s people together in corporate worship and therefore recognizes the opportunity for instrumentalists to use their gifts to glorify God and edify the church. Joe and his wife, Paige, have three sons.
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Jarrod Blackstock
Associate Minister of Worship
Jarrod enjoys using his musical talents and training to serve the Lord and has been married to his wife Donna since 2006. They are the parents of one son.
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Kelsi Carlile
Band-Led Worship Associate
Kelsi Carlile is the Worship Associate and ministry director for Band-Led Worship. She has Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Music from Charleston Southern University and a Masters of Arts in Worship Leadership from Liberty University. Kelsi has been serving in vocational ministry since 2011. After she and her husband, Chad, were married in 2013, they moved from Charleston, SC to Dallas. She joined the Music and Worship Ministry in 2014 at First Dallas, and served in other local church music ministries before ultimately returning to First Dallas in 2017. Kelsi began leading the Band-Led worship ministry in 2019. Kelsi and Chad have two daughters, Rhea and June.
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Kathy Gilliland
Kids Worship Minister
Kathy is passionate about using her gifts as an experienced music educator and her love for worship to instill in our children a desire to know God and hide His Word in their hearts through song. Kathy and her husband, Chris, both grew up at First Dallas and are honored to serve the generations to come. Kathy and Chris have one daughter, Madilynn.
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Lindsey Perkin
Preschool Music Associate
Lindsey Perkin had the privilege of growing up at First Baptist Dallas and then attended Hardin-Simmons University to major in Music Education. Lindsey uses her education background to lead preschoolers in age-appropriate songs and activities to teach them about Jesus and show them what it means to worship. Lindsey and her husband Heath, have two sons, Jack and Luke.
Care & Support
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Alan Lynch
Minister of Pastoral Care
Alan has served full-time on the staff of First Baptist Church of Dallas since May of 1987. He has a passion for ministering to and assisting the body of Christ in experiencing God’s fullest blessings. He is passionate about the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, and he is passionate about his family. Alan and his wife, Janna, have three adult married children and six grandchildren.
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Anna Schaefer
Prison Ministry Associate
Anna is passionate about prison ministry and life recovery because one can visibly see God working and changing lives. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Amberton University and is certified through Light University as a Mental Health Coach with a specialization in Life Recovery. She has three children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
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John Cullen
Pastoral Care Associate
John ministers to those who are hurting, either through illness or loss. He is passionate about helping men, women, and couples work through life’s issues, and ultimately leading the lost to Christ. John and his wife, Debe, have one son, Jake.
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Cheryl Calvin
Homebound/Care ministry
Coming from a large, multigenerational family, Cheryl has a heart for ministering to the elderly, the homebound, the hurting, and those dealing with financial difficulties. She enjoys gardening and playing guitar.
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Jephte Fanor
Pastoral Care Associate
In addition to all the Pastoral Care duties, Jephte is passionate about strengthening marriages through our Marriage Mentoring program and supporting those who need to follow the Lord in believer’s baptism. Jephte and his wife, Marie, have two daughters.
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Blake Lander
Pastoral Care Associate
Blake serves within the Pastoral Ministries Department serving the needs of the people of First Dallas, walking with them during times of triumph and trials. Blake is married to Shelley and they have two sons who keep them busy with sports, life, and having fun together.
Special Ministries
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Dr. Humberto Gonzalez
Minister en Español
El Dr. Humberto González tiene una pasión por conectar con la gente y ver cómo Dios transformar sus vidas. Él estará desarrollando el ministerio que ayudará nuestra iglesia First Dallas para alcanzar a la primera, segunda y tercera generación de hispanos a nivel local y global. Él cuenta con títulos en Ingeniería Civil de la Universidad Panamericana en México, una Maestría en Divinidades de Moody Theological Seminary en Chicago, y un Doctorado en Ministerio de Dallas Theological Seminary. Está casado con Sarah, una violonchelista que se graduó en Wheaton College. El Dr. González y Sarah tienen cinco hijos. Además de enseñar, le gusta la música, viajar, practicar deportes, la lectura y escritura.
Dr. Humberto Gonzalez has a passion for connecting with people and seeing God transform their lives. He is developing the ministry that will help First Dallas reach the first, second, and third generations of Hispanics locally and globally. He has degrees in Civil Engineering from Universidad Panamericana in Mexico, a Master of Divinity from Moody Theological Seminary in Chicago, and a Doctorate in Ministry from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is married to Sarah, a cellist who graduated from Wheaton College. Dr. Gonzalez and Sarah have five children. Besides teaching, he likes music, traveling, sports, reading, and writing.
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Ron Cresswell
Associate Executive Pastor, Special Projects
After serving in the Tennessee Air National Guard and working for a telephone company in Chattanooga, Ron Cresswell joined the First Baptist Church Staff in 1985 as the Church Electrician. 20 years later, in 2005, he became the Minister of Facility Management, and in 2023, he became Associate Executive Pastor, Special Projects. In his spare time, he has completed two degrees from Criswell College, B.A.B.S. and M.A. in Ministry, and he is passionate about evangelism and outreach. He and his late wife, Pam, have two sons and six granddaughters.
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Andrew Bobo
Associate Executive Pastor, Practical Theology
Andrew became a member at First Baptist Dallas in 2012 and has been on staff full-time since 2020. He serves as teacher of the Credo Sunday School class. Andrew has received a Master of Theology in historical theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and Master of Public Service Administration from the Bush School of Government at Texas A&M University. He is currently working toward a PhD in political philosophy in the Institute of Philosophic Studies program at the University of Dallas. Andrew and his wife Ana have four children.
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Brent McFadden
Minister of Missions and Outreach
Brent’s life calling involves helping others athletically and spiritually, so he loves using sports as a vehicle to reach people for Christ. Brent and his wife, Bethany, have been married since 2015 and are the proud parents of three little girls.
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Ashton Luff
Minister of First Dallas Deaf Ministry
Ashton Luff finds his greatest joy in seeing lives transformed by the power of the gospel. Following God’s calling after his salvation, Ashton now serves as the Lead Pastor of Silent Friends Chapel. Ashton and his wife, Megan, have been married for 16 years and have two daughters, ages 9 and 7. In June 2022, they welcomed an 18-year-old Deaf exchange student from Ukraine, who has become like their third daughter.
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John Bernard
Minister of Outreach and Connections
Motivated to help others plug into First Dallas, John connects visitors and new members to Sunday School, membership, and ministry. When he’s not spending time with his wife, Cheryl, their three daughters, or six grandchildren, John is likely officiating a local sports event or relaxing on a beach somewhere.
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Ryan Sadler
Minister of Evangelism
Ryan Sadler is passionate about sharing the gospel and is committed to our church’s mission to transform the world with God’s Word one life at a time. He is married to his junior-high sweetheart, Julia, and they love and adore their three children.
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Abigail Miller
Director of Communications
Abigail is a graduate of Baylor University. She loves serving the Lord’s Kingdom every day through her work at First Dallas leading the Communications Team. She enjoys traveling the world, spending time with her family and friends, reading, and being in the outdoors.
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Emmanuel Pandula
Director of Online Ministry
Emmanuel Pandula, also known as Manny, is a passionate individual who has dedicated his life to serving others. He holds a Master’s in Computer Application and spent several years working in the IT sector before being called by God for full-time ministry. Manny followed his calling and made the decision to leave his successful career to pursue theological education in the United States.
Manny graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master’s in Divinity and a Master’s in Theology. His vision is to plant churches and support pastors’ children in India. His dedication to spreading the word of God and helping others is unwavering.
Aside from his work in ministry, Manny has a love for music, technology, traveling, and spending time with his family. Manny’s mother and siblings currently reside in India. His diverse interests reflect his well-rounded personality and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Manny’s passion for serving others and his deep-rooted faith make him a valuable member of any community he becomes a part of.
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Steve Reed
Minister of Worship Production
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Debe Cullen
Wedding Coordinator
In addition to organizing the details of First Dallas’s most beautiful weddings, Debe enjoys helping couples prepare for marriage beyond their special day. Debe and her husband, John, have one son.
