FBC Euless - Believe Belong Begin

Senior Staff 

Gary W. Phillips, Administrative Pastor

Gary has served FBCE on two occasions, 1980 - 1985, and again October 2004 to present. In addition to his time in ministry, Gary has over 25 years experience in senior level business management. The FBCE history book, People In His Purpose, states that "One of Gary Phillips' dreams was to see the church relieved of its burden of debt". That was in 1982; 25 years later on July 1, 2007, Gary was back on staff when that dream was fulfilled as the Church burned its mortgage note at the Debt Freedom Celebration. Saved at age 10 at FBC Pampa, Texas, Gary is a graduate of West Texas A & M University with a BBA degree. Gary and wife Teresa reside in Colleyville, Texas and have a son John, a daughter Tarrah, son-in-law Jimmy and granddaughter Anna. His favorite verse since coming back on staff in 2004 is Proverbs 3:9-10. You may contact Gary at , or at x355. [top]

Robert Elkins, Worship Pastor

Robert has been involved with First Baptist Euless in some capacity since 1995 - first as a worship volunteer, then as full-time Music Associate, and now as the Worship Pastor.  His passion is working with the Senior Pastor and worship team to create moments of high impact each and every Sunday morning.  He leads the vibrant First Euless Worship Choir, band, orchestra, and praise teams, and gives oversight to the production and technical areas.  Robert has degrees from Virginia Tech, Berklee College of Music, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He and his wife, Angie, have three children:  Jack, Audrey, and Foster. Contact Robert at , or x424. [top]

Dr. Mark Yoakum, Connection Pastor

As Connection Pastor, Mark leads the Education Team to facilitate the Connection classes and Discipleship ministry of First Baptist Church.  Mark grew up on a 500 acre farm in Missouri where he attended a small country church and accepted Christ at the age of 9.  He is an Eagle Scout and was active in all sports during High School.  He graduated from Missouri State University with a double major of Math/Physics.  He later received his Master of Religious Education and PH.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1974, Mark married his childhood sweetheart Pam and they have two grown daughters:  Stephanie and Staci.  Mark's desire is to see people reached for Christ and discipled.  He has served as Minister of Education in Southern Baptist Churches for 30 years.  Mark loves people and enjoys watching them mature to become Christ-like.He enjoys the outdoors, cycling, playing Basketball, Racquetball, and Golf. Contact Mark at , or x329. [top]

Scott Sheppard, Share & Serve Pastor

Scott always knew he would build something! Especially after studying Architecture at the University of Texas at Arlington, working construction, the many remodeling projects, designing residential projects and homes, or selling new homes for one of the nation's largest home builders.  But, it wasn't until he was 36 that God revealed he'd be building "the church."  After nine years of building in the Adult Connection Ministry, Scott has transitioned again to give oversight of the Share and Serve Ministries of the church.  Now Scott uses his creativity, systematic thinking, planning, and love to help people find exactly what they need to become all they can be in Christ.  Scott married his high school sweetheart Tammy in 1984, and they have four (almost grown) children, Nikki, Johnna, Stormy and Jacquelyn.  Scott loves running and the many lessons that come from that, anything fast, motocross, and mission trips.Contact Scott at , or x335. [top]

Ministerial Staff 

Keith Christie, Missions Minister

Keith left a 14 year career as a law enforcement officer after surrendering to the ministry. He, his wife, Diana, and three boys moved to Ft. Worth to attend SWBTS in 1998. Upon completing his under graduate and masters degrees at Southwestern in 2005, Keith became the mission minister at FBCE. The vision God gave Keith concerning missions at FBCE is to be the most effective we can be with the resources God has provided in Kingdom Work, in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth. God is taking missions to a new level at FBCE...HOLD ON OR GET OUT OF THE WAY! Contact Keith at , or x285. [top]

Cathy Jones, Preschool Minister

Cathy has a passion for providing children with the knowledge they need and the opportunity to believe in Jesus Christ.  She believes in the importance of laying a spiritual foundation for preschoolers and building on that foundation each year will result in children gaining the Biblical understanding necessary to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Cathy graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1995 with an emphasis on administration and childhood education. She grew up in West Texas but calls Arlington home after having lived there for over twenty years Cathy and her husband, Gary, enjoy spending time with their family, Cassandra and Scott, J, Kiersten, Caitlin, Amy and Cody and baby Kate. Contact Cathy at , or x350. [top]

Chris Norman, Children's Minister 

Chris has been a part of the First Euless family since moving from Florida to Fort Worth in 1997. At First Euless, Chris met and married the love of his life Tami Stone in 1999. Under Jack Terrell, Chris served in the Children’s Ministry as a volunteer and then as a Children’s Associate from 2000-2002. After serving as a Children’s Pastor in Corpus Christi for five years, Chris returned to First Euless to serve as Children’s Minister in 2008. As Children’s Minister, Chris’ passion is to partner with and empower families and volunteers to create dynamic, innovative, fun environments for children to Believe Begin and Belong! Chris graduated from the University of Miami (FL) with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity. Chris and Tami have two beautiful children, Abigail (Abby) and Aidan. One of his life verses is John 17:4. You can stop by his office anytime to play with his Transformers or remote control cars or just contact him at or at x332. [top]

Kent Wells, Student Minister

Student Ministry has been Kent's passion and calling for the last 14 years. Seeing students come to know Christ and walk away changed is the driving force behind everything he does. When students go the next step and reach out to their friends and help them make that decision - that's success in ministry. The only thing he is more passionate about is his wife and two kids. Kent and Brooke have been married for ten years now. They are amazed by their two beautiful daughters, Abby (5) and Karly (2) which keep them very busy. Other things that keep Kent going are:  playing volleyball, eating at Taco Bueno (#3) and hanging with his best friends on the planet - Matt and Melody Downing and Josh and Rhiannon Merriott. Contact Kent at , or x344. [top]

John Harris, Single Adult Minister

As Single Adult Minister, John tries to help singles become who God wants them to be.  He was born and grew-up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and now lives in Bedford with his wife Beth.  John graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 1999 with a Bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies.  In 2004 he received a Master of Divinity degree and in 2008 a Master of Theology deegree both from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Since 1996 John has served churches in North, Central, and East Texas.  He has ministered to Youth, University Students, Singles, and Adults of all ages.  John loves to see God's Word change lives through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Visit John's BLOG and contact him at , or x339. [top]

Darrin Brown, Young Married Adult Minister

As Minister to Young Married Adults, Darrin encourages couples in their spiritual growth. He has a passion for couples to have a strong lasting marriage.  His ministry includes all stages in a couple's marriage from starting out as newlyweds to having children.  Prior to serving at First Euless, Darrin served in churches in Florida and Texas in the areas of college and single adult ministries and young married adult ministry.  He grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.S. in Accounting; he also has a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Darrin and his wife Kristi have 2 children, Kendall and Cole.Contact Darrin at , or x331. [top]

Kenny Price, Median Married Adult Minister

Kenny is a witness to the impact for Christ this church has on the lives of its people.   He was called to the Gospel ministry in 1976 while serving on the staff here at FBCE as a summer youth intern.  He desires to build and connect people together in Jesus Christ by His Spirit to become a dwelling in which God lives (Eph. 2:17-22) through the married 40s (a vibrant ministry for married adults in their forties) & Rock Solid Ministries (an active ministry for married adults 50-65.)  Kenny and his wife Susan have been married for 26 years and have two sons, Colton and Joseph.Contact Kenny at , or x371. [top]

Bob Neely, Pastoral Care Minister

As Minister of Pastoral Care, Bob leads a team of volunteers who touch the lives of Senior Adults encouraging their spiritual growth as they care for one another.  Bob directs our Church Prayer Ministry, Senior Adult Ministry, Hospital and Homebound visitation, and assists the Pastor in caring for the needs of the church family.  Prior to serving FBCE, he has served the Lord as Associate Pastor and Pastor in Florida and Texas. Bob's wife, Sharon, is currently the Lower School Principal at Faith Christian School as well as a Bible Fellowship Director for a Career Ladies Class.  They have two grown children, Joy and Josh.  Bob and Sharon enjoy sharing time with family and each other. Contact Bob at , or x436. [top]