DR. JUSTIN GAMBRELL
Senior Pastor
A native of Alabama, Justin attended Samford University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Religion with a Concentration in Congregational Studies. While serving in churches in Alabama, Florida, and now Georgia; Justin completed his education and received his Masters of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Since accepting the Lord’s call into ministry, Justin has served in many areas of church leadership and continues to seek new ways to reach those he has been called to serve.
Justin is married to Amy and they have three children; Jackson, Colson and Madison. Together, Justin and Amy have committed their lives to helping people find and grow a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Reaching and serving the world through ministries inside the church and outreach opportunities is a way of life for Justin and his family. He strives daily to serve God by loving God’s children.
Since accepting the Lord’s call into ministry, Justin has served in many areas of church leadership and continues to seek new ways to reach those he has been called to serve.
Justin is married to Amy and they have three children; Jackson, Colson and Madison. Together, Justin and Amy have committed their lives to helping people find and grow a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Reaching and serving the world through ministries inside the church and outreach opportunities is a way of life for Justin and his family. He strives daily to serve God by loving God’s children.
Rev. Will Emery
Discipleship & Administration Pastor
Will was raised in Blackshear, Georgia. God graciously saved him at the age of 12 and then called him to ministry at the age of 15. He has served with the youth, missions, and ministries over his time at FBC.
Will recently graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry. He is currently working on a Master of Divinity through Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Will’s role in the church is to provide leadership for Administration and Discipleship. In all that he does, he desires to, “walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).
Will enjoys to read, travel, and golf.
Will recently graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry. He is currently working on a Master of Divinity through Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Will’s role in the church is to provide leadership for Administration and Discipleship. In all that he does, he desires to, “walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).
Will enjoys to read, travel, and golf.
Rev. Eric Dyer
Associate Pastor
Eric grew up in Tennessee where he earned his bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Tech University and moving on to Fort Worth Texas to earn his Master of Divinity at Southwestern Seminary. He also has a Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership.
After feeling called to ministry in college, Eric has served in a variety of ways and settings to disciple the church. At FBC, Eric is called to connect people to church services, classes/groups, and serving opportunities.
Eric is married his wife Julia and they have three children: Charlotte, Charles and Benjamin.
After feeling called to ministry in college, Eric has served in a variety of ways and settings to disciple the church. At FBC, Eric is called to connect people to church services, classes/groups, and serving opportunities.
Eric is married his wife Julia and they have three children: Charlotte, Charles and Benjamin.
Rev. Matt Peters
Worship Pastor
Matt serves as the Associate Pastor of Worship for FBC Blackshear. He joined the staff in October 2020. Matt is from Cordele, GA and moved to Waycross in 2002. He is married to Jessica and they have four children, Lily, Will, Ella, and Judah.
Matt earned an A.S. in Business Management from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, a B.S. in Business Management from Georgia Southwestern State University, and a M.A. in Pastoral Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. After college, Matt spent nine years working as a golf professional and earned Class A status with the PGA of America. In 2009 he answered the call to the ministry and has served in the areas of outreach, community missions and worship leadership. Matt is currently working on a M.A. in Worship Ministry through New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Matt enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, hiking, kayaking, and playing & singing music.
Matt earned an A.S. in Business Management from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, a B.S. in Business Management from Georgia Southwestern State University, and a M.A. in Pastoral Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. After college, Matt spent nine years working as a golf professional and earned Class A status with the PGA of America. In 2009 he answered the call to the ministry and has served in the areas of outreach, community missions and worship leadership. Matt is currently working on a M.A. in Worship Ministry through New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Matt enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, hiking, kayaking, and playing & singing music.
PHILIP MASSENGALE
Student Pastor
Philip was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee in the year 2002. At the age of 4, Philip and his family moved away to Krakow, Poland where they began planting churches with the IMB and discipling people. Philip accepted Christ at the age of 12 on a youth group retreat. After a lot of wrestling with the Lord, Philip surrendered his life to the call of full time pastoral ministry at the age of 18. Philip is also married to the love of his life Evey and they have a boy named Malachi.
The goal of the Student Ministry at FBC Blackshear is to have every student EXPERIENCE life change, GROW as the disciple God has called them to be, and GO make disciples from the neighbor to the nations. We strive for all students to become fully devoted disciples that make an impact for the Kingdom of God in their spheres of influence.
The goal of the Student Ministry at FBC Blackshear is to have every student EXPERIENCE life change, GROW as the disciple God has called them to be, and GO make disciples from the neighbor to the nations. We strive for all students to become fully devoted disciples that make an impact for the Kingdom of God in their spheres of influence.
denise brown
Sports Director
Denise Brown was born and raised in Southwest Louisiana. She moved to Statesboro, Ga in 1991 on a basketball scholarship to Georgia University. She graduated from GSU in 1996 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Education.
Denise is a middle school educator and coach of 29 years. She has coached many sports including basketball, volleyball, cross country, and track. She has also officiated basketball at the middle, high, and college levels.
Denise is married to Chad Brown and they have one son, Jake Brown (21).
Denise is a middle school educator and coach of 29 years. She has coached many sports including basketball, volleyball, cross country, and track. She has also officiated basketball at the middle, high, and college levels.
Denise is married to Chad Brown and they have one son, Jake Brown (21).
Madi Lowe
Children's Director
Madi is from Pensacola, Florida and accepted Christ and was baptized at the age of 5. She is a graduate of the University of West Florida with a bachelor's degree in Communications. She has worked in preschool ministry for 6 years in Pensacola and moved to Blackshear in 2022. She is currently pursuing a Master's of Arts degree in Christian Leadership with NOBTS.
Madi's role in the church is to equip volunteers and to see children come to know Christ and grow in their walk with the Lord to become fully devoted followers of Christ in a safe, loving, and high energy environment.
Madi enjoys art, traveling, watching Alabama football and spending time with friends and family.
Madi's role in the church is to equip volunteers and to see children come to know Christ and grow in their walk with the Lord to become fully devoted followers of Christ in a safe, loving, and high energy environment.
Madi enjoys art, traveling, watching Alabama football and spending time with friends and family.
STEPHANIE CARTER
Pre-School Director
Stephanie was raised in Blackshear, GA. She has been a member of First Baptist since she accepted Christ at the age of 12. She is married to Hugh, and they have three children, Jordan, Abbigail, and Hannah.
Stephanie graduated with a Bachelor's of Business Management from Georgia Southwestern State University in 2010. She completed her Masters of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education in 2024 from Western Governors University.
She is currently a Kindergarten teacher at Blackshear Elementary School.
Stephanie has previously worked in the children's and student ministries at FBC as a small group leader and volunteer. She has a heart and passion for all children, especially the youngest children in the church.
Stephanie graduated with a Bachelor's of Business Management from Georgia Southwestern State University in 2010. She completed her Masters of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education in 2024 from Western Governors University.
She is currently a Kindergarten teacher at Blackshear Elementary School.
Stephanie has previously worked in the children's and student ministries at FBC as a small group leader and volunteer. She has a heart and passion for all children, especially the youngest children in the church.
Gwen Cason
Ministry Assistant
Gwen joined the First Baptist Church staff in February 2001 as Secretary and has been Ministry Assistant since 2007.
Born and raised in Blackshear, GA, Gwen accepted Christ at the age of 12 at her home church, Beulah Baptist Church.
She is married to Bill Cason and has two daughters: Joanna Savino and Brianna King.
She enjoys working in her yard, cooking, shopping, and spending time with her family.
Born and raised in Blackshear, GA, Gwen accepted Christ at the age of 12 at her home church, Beulah Baptist Church.
She is married to Bill Cason and has two daughters: Joanna Savino and Brianna King.
She enjoys working in her yard, cooking, shopping, and spending time with her family.
Denise Taylor
Financial Secretary
Denise is the Financial and Membership Secretary.
Denise joined the staff at First Baptist Church in August 1999 as Secretary and has been the Financial and Membership Secretary since November 2000.
She is married to Richie Taylor, and they have two children, Robbie Taylor and Maura (Brandon) Carter, and four grandchildren, Adalynn & Austyn Taylor and Avery & Dutton Carter.
She is a member of Lees Chapel Baptist Church.
Denise joined the staff at First Baptist Church in August 1999 as Secretary and has been the Financial and Membership Secretary since November 2000.
She is married to Richie Taylor, and they have two children, Robbie Taylor and Maura (Brandon) Carter, and four grandchildren, Adalynn & Austyn Taylor and Avery & Dutton Carter.
She is a member of Lees Chapel Baptist Church.