Meet Our Staff
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Learn About Us
Harold Williams
Interim Pastor
Tracy Marshall
Pastor and Worship SecretaryMy family and I joined FBC in September 2016. We visited for several months and knew this was where we wanted to make our church home and raise our daughter. I volunteer with the children’s classes and activities, occasionally run a camera on Sundays, and have been known to bake a few dozen cookies for events here and there! I was blessed to accept the title of Pastor’s Secretary on January 2, 2024.
My husband, Scott, and I have one daughter, Haylee, and as a family we love to travel and explore, visit historical sites, and watch way too many movies. Our love extends to all of God’s creatures and currently have two dogs and three cats.
Psalm 62:1-2 brings me peace: “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
My husband, Scott, and I have one daughter, Haylee, and as a family we love to travel and explore, visit historical sites, and watch way too many movies. Our love extends to all of God’s creatures and currently have two dogs and three cats.
Psalm 62:1-2 brings me peace: “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
Tim Garten
AdministratorThe people at First have blessed me by allowing me to serve them as their full-time administrator since 2021. Besides this position, I have been able to serve as a deacon, a Sunday School teacher, and helped lead church-wide Bible Studies from time to time. I love spending time with my wife Jacquelyn and our Corgi Zuzu. Jacque and I enjoy traveling to see God’s creation and we enjoy serving our Lord and His church. We are blessed with three sons, all now on their own, and two granddaughters.
I like to spend time reading how God has used common ordinary people. Colossians 3:23 tells us, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men”.
I like to spend time reading how God has used common ordinary people. Colossians 3:23 tells us, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men”.
Jeremy Garten
Administrative SecretaryIt has been my joy and privilege to be the Administrative Secretary for FBC since June of 2021, and a member of this church family since 2018. I have been blessed to serve in church ministry since 2013. You don’t have to know me very long to figure out I love sports, and I have the distinction of being a diehard Kansas City Royals fan in the middle of Cardinal country! My other major sports fandom is the Kansas City Chiefs, and I am also privileged to be part of the game day staff for the Drury University Panthers and Lady Panthers basketball teams.
My other hobbies include reading, movies, and sports trivia. Uncle is my favorite title, as the lights of my life are my nieces Lucie and Olivia, to whom I am affectionately known as “Funcle.” A fun fact about my family is that I, along with my parents and 2 brothers, are pictured all over the country on the official billboards and brochures for Fantastic Caverns! Praise the Lord I am saved by his Amazing Grace, and my life verses are Proverbs 3:5-6 and Colossians 2:13-15.
My other hobbies include reading, movies, and sports trivia. Uncle is my favorite title, as the lights of my life are my nieces Lucie and Olivia, to whom I am affectionately known as “Funcle.” A fun fact about my family is that I, along with my parents and 2 brothers, are pictured all over the country on the official billboards and brochures for Fantastic Caverns! Praise the Lord I am saved by his Amazing Grace, and my life verses are Proverbs 3:5-6 and Colossians 2:13-15.
Joel Johnson
Youth PastorI started as the Student Pastor at FBC Springfield in August 2020. I graduated from Southwest Baptist University with a degree in Christian Ministry and a minor in Psychology. I'm currently pursuing my masters from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and have been in student ministry for almost 18 years. My wife Laura and I have been married for 15 years and have 4 beautiful kiddos: Kinsley, Micah, Isaiah & Noah. My life verse is Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths".
I enjoy spending time with my family, being out in God’s creation and watching sports, especially the Chiefs, Royals, Cardinals & The Kansas State Wildcats. I also teach history to 7th-12th grade students at Truth Academy which meets at FBC Springfield.
I enjoy spending time with my family, being out in God’s creation and watching sports, especially the Chiefs, Royals, Cardinals & The Kansas State Wildcats. I also teach history to 7th-12th grade students at Truth Academy which meets at FBC Springfield.
Laura Johnson
Children’s DirectorMy name is Laura Johnson and I have a passion for seeing kids learn about Jesus! I am privileged to be a part of that experience in the lives of the children in our First Kids and First Kids Jr programs at First Baptist.
My husband, Joel, and I were married in 2006 and have a daughter and three sons! I love BBQ, spending time outside with my family, chocolate, and going to flea markets. I am excited for what God has in store for the future at First!
Chris Wassam
Media DirectorFirst Baptist Church has been my church home for 40 years. My wife Jenny and I met in 1982 and I started attending immediately following. We were married at FBC in 1985 and have been actively involved in all areas of service ever since, raising our two daughters in this church. I have always had a passion for media and have been heavily involved for the last 35 years as a camera operator, switcher, graphics engineer and director of broadcast and livestream.
In 2018, I transitioned to a staff position as Media Director, leading and directing a team of very talented volunteers in the areas of video, sound, graphics, and broadcast production. I am very passionate about bringing a quality experience for both our in-house as well as our at-home audience. I am extremely blessed to serve the Lord in an area I enjoy so much.
In 2018, I transitioned to a staff position as Media Director, leading and directing a team of very talented volunteers in the areas of video, sound, graphics, and broadcast production. I am very passionate about bringing a quality experience for both our in-house as well as our at-home audience. I am extremely blessed to serve the Lord in an area I enjoy so much.
Ethan Penrose
Tech Team Audio Coordinator / Website TechnicianI run sound for services and events at the church and make sure people can hear clearly so we can all share together in worship. Otherwise, isn’t it always the sound guy’s fault?
I also maintain the church’s website so everyone can easily and quickly find what they need. I’m from Springfield and enjoy going on hikes with my dog, bicycling, movies, music, and of course coffee!
Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity".
I also maintain the church’s website so everyone can easily and quickly find what they need. I’m from Springfield and enjoy going on hikes with my dog, bicycling, movies, music, and of course coffee!
Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity".