Reverend Wright
is a graduate of Parkersburg High School, West Virginia University
of Parkersburg, West Virginia University in Morgantown. He obtained
his Masters of Divinity with Christian Education from Southeastern
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC.
He previously served as the Associate
Pastor and Minister of Education at Antioch Baptist Church in Lumberton,
NC for 5 years. He also served as the Youth and Family Life Minister at Braggtown Baptist Church in Durham, NC for 3 1/2 years.
Reverend Wright became the Pastor of First
Baptist Church, Wheeling in 2003. He and his wife Gretchen were
married on December 30, 1994 and have three beautiful children:
Colton Shane (1999), Megan Hope (2000), and Lauren "Kate." (2005)
Philosophy of Ministry
My
philosophy of ministry is based upon the teaching and example of Jesus
Christ who is the Shepherd of the Church, and who has called me to the
pastoral ministry. The central focus of my ministry is based on
Ephesians 4:12, where the Apostle Paul exhorts pastors "to prepare God's
people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."
As pastor, I am to preach, teach, and communicate God's work, provide
spiritual leadership, equip God's people for service, and reach out to the
lost and hurting people of this world. This ministry will be
accomplished as the church unites to use every means available to carry
out the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.
Doctrinal Statement
My faith, personal life, and ministry are
founded on the belief that the Bible is the inspired word of God. Since
the Bible contains no errors, it is my sole source for truth. It is my source of authority for
guidance and direction in both my life and ministry. I am committed to the
study of Scripture and to God's call for obedience to His Word and His
teachings.
Personal Statement
When I was seventeen years old, I gave my life to the Lord. Two
years later I accepted His call into full time ministry. As I have
responded to this call, God has placed in my heart a desire to encourage,
disciple, equip, and evangelize individuals as well as families. God
has given me many opportunities to serve Him in this capacity, and in so
doing I have learned a great deal about the ministries, functions, and
concerns of the local church. God has given me a great love for
others. As a result, I deeply desire to be involved in the lives of
believers and non-believers in a way that will lead them to encounter
Christ and to develop a growing relationship with Him that will sustain
them throughout their lives so that they too, will become faithful
servants to the Savior.
Cindy is a graduate of Cameron High School in
Cameron, WV. She graduated from West Liberty State College with a
bachelor's degree in elementary education and a specialization in early
childhood education. She has done graduate work through W.V.U.,
Wheeling Jesuit University, and Ohio University Eastern. She has
studied with the WV School of Christian Studies through the WV Baptist
Convention in the areas of children's ministry and general ministry.
Currently she is working on her Association of Christian Schools
International Christian educator's certification.
Cindy and her husband, Bill, have been
attending First Baptist since shortly after their marriage on July 30, 1983.
They are the parents of three children: Tiffany, a graduate of
Wheeling Park High School and Bethany College; Tim and Matthew, both
students of Wheeling Park High School.
Mrs. Frank has been the children's director
at First Baptist since 1999. She is also the kindergarten teacher at
New Covenant Academy in St. Clairsville, Ohio where she has taught first
grade, second grade and middle school math, health, and physical education.
prior to teaching at New Covenant Academy, she taught at Moundsville
Christian School which was a ministry of Moundsville Baptist Church.
As a child, Cindy attended the Fork Ridge
Baptist Church. She gave her life to the Lord when she was thirteen
years old during a community revival service. Since that time, she has
known that the Lord has called her into ministry. It was not until she
began teaching that she realized that her actual call was to the ministry of
children.
Cindy's passion is to help the children
understand the true meaning of salvation through Jesus Christ. She
also works with them to help them understand how Jesus wants them to live
not only as a child, but throughout their entire life. Her service in
the children's ministry is truly her service to the Lord.
Linda Gaus began serving as the secretary of
F.B.C. in March of 2004 part-time and later that year accepted the
position as full time. In addition to her position as Church
Secretary, Linda serves as an officer of the First Baptist Women's
Ministries and is an officer of the Ohio County Chapter of W.V. For
Life.
She and her husband Donald are the parents
of Deanna, a speech pathologist for Barnesville Schools; Randy, a Senior
Airman First Class and married to Amanda Hays of Washington
State; and son Tyler at home. They are the proud grandparents of one
grandson, Grant.
As long as Linda can remember, she has
always felt a deep love for music. She is a member of the church choir, a
member of the "Praise Team", a member of the female quartet "Joysong" and
feels blessed to have been a part of the staged musical production of
"He's Alive", "Heaven Bound Et Al," and "Heaven Bound Homecoming."
Linda felt the Lord tugging at her heart as
a very young teenager and gave her life to Him. She believes the
Lord led her to her ministries at F.B.C. and feels it is a privilege to
serve Him and her First Baptist Church family.
Brenda Hetzel
began her service as Director of the Adult Choir in January of 2006.
Brenda
was born in Ligonier PA, raised in a Christian home and taught at an early
age the truth of the salvation that Jesus provides to all those who
believe in Him and trust Him as their personal Savior. At the tender age
of 11, and during an old-fashioned church camp meeting, Brenda gave her
heart and life to Christ. In 1975 Brenda and her family began
singing as a gospel group called "The Hays Family Gospel Singers" which
also led to the formation of a puppet ministry. She served as Choir
Director at Ligonier Christian and Missionary Church.
Brenda states "The
Lord led her to Wheeling" where she met and married her husband, Larry Hetzel, and began searching for a church home. From the moment she
stepped into First Baptist Church, Brenda knew her search had ended.
Here a new ministry was formed; "Heaven Bound" which is a ladies trio
consisting of Jeannie Waychoff, Doris Estep and Brenda. The ministry
later grew into "Heaven Bound Ministries" which produced many musical and
theatrical productions such as "He's Alive," "We Will Worship," "Heaven
Bound Et Al," Heaven Bound Homecoming," and "Lilies of the Valley."
Brenda also enjoys
singing in the Praise Team at First Baptist.
Brenda is employed as Manager at G.W.
Petroplus Towers on National Road in Wheeling, WV. She and Larry
live on Wheeling Island.
Mrs. Laura
Surface: Worship Leader
Laura Surface has served as the Worship
Leader of First Baptist Church in Wheeling since January 2006, and is the
director of the Worship Team. Laura gave her life to Christ in the
spring of 1981 while a student at Alderson-Broaddus College where she was
majoring in Therapeutic Recreation with a minor in Music. It was
there that she sang and played keyboards, guitar and flute for "The
West Virginians" the official ambassadors for the state of West
Virginia. While touring and performing with this show choir, Laura
met her husband, Fred, who served as the group's drummer. Together,
they help lead the congregation at First Baptist to worship the Father in
spirit and in truth (John4:24) on a weekly basis.
Laura loves all different types of music,
but has a passion for the songs that speak the truth and can be sung
intimately to God's own heart. Each week, she leads the congregation in
musical praise and worship by accompanying songs on the electric keyboard,
playing the flute, or acoustic guitar. Laura has performed the role of
"Mary Magdalene" in the staged musical production of
"He's Alive" at the Capitol Music Hall for many years. She is a
member of the ladies quartet "Joysong". She also is an
accomplished artist, creating beautiful paintings and delighting the
church with her talents in backdrop design for programs and productions.
Laura and her husband have been married for 19 years and have three
children - Sarah, Christopher, and Hannah. The family resides in St.
Clairsville, Ohio.
Mrs. Linda
Scaggs: Organist / Pianist
Mrs. Linda
Scaggs began serving as interim Organist / Pianist in February 2007 and
was hired to the position beginning on April 1, 2007. Linda and her
husband Clayton, joined First Baptist Wheeling in June of 2006.
Linda has enjoyed playing the piano most of her life and has served
several churches as Organist / Pianist since 1987.
Linda has a lovely soprano
voice, and joins in vocally with the Church Choir on many occasions when
the keyboards are not required for an anthem. Linda shares her
talents in many additional ways with the church by accompanying evening
Bible Studies, and is available to be of service to the church family for
weddings and funerals. She has served in the past on the Church
Music Committee as chairperson.
In addition to
her time spent in music preparation, Linda is employed full time at Bordas
and Bordas, Attorneys at Law in Wheeling. WV.
Mrs. Brenda Stoneking - Youth Director
Beginning on August 1, 2007, Mrs. Brenda
Stoneking joined the staff of First Baptist Church as the new Youth
Director. Brenda brings a wealth of qualifications with her to the
position, having served as Administrative Assistant at South Wheeling
Chapel, Director of the Wheeling Area Crisis Team and Director of "Show Me
the Cross Ministry Team" at Abundant Life Baptist Church. Mrs.
Stoneking has also served as Director of Children's Ministries and Vacation
Bible School at South Wheeling Chapel, and has been a teacher of our
churches AWANA program. Brenda has attended Student Life Camp in
Lynchburg, Virginia and Student Leadership University in Florida with the youth
as well as assisting with other youth activities and programs.
Mrs. Stoneking has a Bachelor's Degree in
Speech Pathology, a Master's Degree in Audiology, and anticipates completion
of her Master's Degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University of
Virginia in May of 2009. Brenda is married to husband Jay, an attorney
employed at Bordas and Bordas of Wheeling, and Jay is also a Pastor.
They have two daughters; Jayme and Stacey and are all members of the First
Baptist Church. Brenda welcomes this opportunity to serve the youth of
our church.
Mr. Larry Jenkins -
Custodian
Larry - "Keeping the Church Property Looking Good"
- Oct. 13, 2007
