Staff
Dr. Randy Sawyer: Pastor
Dr. Sawyer has been the Pastor of First Free Will Baptist Church in Gastonia, NC for 15 years. In this time the church has witnessed tremendous growth spiritually and numerically. Dr. Sawyer is a wonderful expository preacher who brings his sermons directly from the inspired Word of God. The sermon is the central aspect of our worship together every week and always promises an in depth look into the Scriptures as we seek what the Lord would say to us. Dr. Sawyer is married to Teri Sawyer who aids him in ministry at First Church and serves in the women's ministry.
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Rev. John Gibbs: Associate Pastor
Rev. John Gibbs has been apart of the First Church family since the summer of 2006 and has already proved to be a tremendous blessing to our ministry here. Rev. Gibbs plays a vital role in supporting and sometimes filling in for Pastor Sawyer and also draws all hearts to the inspired Word of God. Rev. Gibbs also ministers to our shut ins and hospitalized members along with Pastor Sawyer, and plays a significant part in ministering to our senior members. More information on Rev. Gibbs ministry can be seen in the Golden Age portion of the Ministries tab on the home page. Rev. Gibbs' wife, Doris, supports him in his ministry at First Church, their son, Darin is also the Student Pastor.
jgibbs@firstchurchgastonia.com
Daron Dwyer: Minister of Music and Education
Daron's ministry at First Church has been a fruitful one in his 10 years of service here. First Church Gastonia has come to have an outstanding and renown music ministry under his leadership. The First Praise! Choir is well known in the community as one of the best choirs in Gaston County and is made up of nearly 60 voices. Our most recent endeavor included a concert at Gastonia's Unity Place with the Gaston Symphonic Band as we expanded our outreach to further out arms of love around our own community. The First Praise! Orchestra is also a vital part of our music ministry here at First Church. Most of our Orchestra members are dedicated leaders within the Gaston Symphonic Band and represent a high level of talent within our First Church Community. These music ministries are open to anyone who would like to faithfully participate. More information can be seen in the Music portion of the Ministries tab on the home page. Daron is married to Beth Dwyer who aids him in his ministry here at First Church by playing the piano and singing in the choir and ensembles; they have a son named Taylor who is 8 years old.
Remembering Matthew Dwyer - Click here to read A Grief Shared as told by Daron Dwyer
ddwyer@firstchurchgastonia.com
Darin Gibbs: Student Pastor
Darin Gibbs' ministry at First Church has seen exemplary advances in the spiritual maturity of the youth family of our church. During his service here, Darin has implemented the annual summer missions trips for our youth which began as a High School trip to Washington D.C. and soon spread to Ecuador and the Bahamas. In recent years, these trips have been more inner-city focused as the students took trips to Chicago, Las Vegas, and this year will travel to and minister in New York City. The Middle School ministry has also seen advances in these trips, from annual trips to Miracle Hill Ministries in Greenville, SC to the very first Middle School Missions Trip to Washington D.C. in the summer of 2007. Summer Camp at Camp Jacob has also become a highlight of the students' year here at First Church as it is a time of fun and growth. More information can be seen in the Youth portion if the Ministries tab on the home page. Darin is married to Kim Gibbs who assists him in his busy ministry here at First Church; while here at First Church, Darin and Kim have seen the birth of there 3 girls, Makenna (2) and twins Julianna and Olivia (3 months).
Mike Lail: School Administrator
Amy Burns: Children's Director
Amy has worked with our children for over a year and a half now and has made a definite impact in that department. During the Fall, Winter and Spring Amy dedicates much of her time to teaching music and other subjects in Gaston County Schools; she brings that experience with her to her ministry here at First Church and has greatly added upon our already fruitful children's program and children's choirs.
aburns@firstchurchgastonia.com
Sandee Chenault; Nancy Rogers: Church Secretaries/Treasurer
nrogers@firstchurchgastonia.com
Michelle Hagans; Jack Phillips: Technical Staff