Rev. Barrett Owen
Senior Pastor
EmailBefore joining FBC in 2022, Barrett was the much loved Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church in Waynesboro, VA. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Christian Leadership from Belmont University in Nashville, TN, a Master of Divinity in Congregational Ministry from the McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University in Atlanta, GA, and a Master of Theology in Homiletics from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Decatur, GA.
Dr. Jim Everette
Associate Pastor Connection & Care
EmailI have been a member of FBC Wilmington’s staff since 1990. I served as the Associate Pastor of First Baptist Drexel, NC prior to coming to joining the FBC-Wilmington team. Lisa and I were married in 1983. Our two grown children, Jonathan and Megan are married and we are blessed with a granddaughter, Everette Elizabeth Barbour and two grandsons, Brooks Phillip Everette and James Douglas Barbour III.
Rev. Jayne Davis
Associate Pastor Discipleship
EmailBefore joining the FBC staff in 2001, I was the Executive Director for the New Hanover County Partnership for Children (Smart Start), Good Shepherd House Administrative Director and Coalition for the Homeless (NYC) Assistant Director. I am married to Wes Davis. We have four children, Kayla, Christian, Meredith, and Annie.
Rev. John Daniels III
Executive Pastor
EmailI served at FBC Waynesville, NC for 21 years before coming to FBC Wilmington in 2015. My wife, Melinda, and I were college sweethearts and have been married for over thirty years. We have two adult children, Erin and John, IV (Jay)
Rev. Becca Jones
Minister to Children
EmailAfter serving at FBC Augusta, Georgia for nine years, I joined the FBC Wilmington staff in 2016. I am married to Andy, who is also a minister. We have four kids.
Rev. Josh Godwin
Minister to Students
EmailMy name is Josh Godwin, and I am a lifelong North Carolinian. Raised in the small town of Wade, just north of Fayetteville, I have lived and worked all across this state, from the mountains down to the coast. I love this place, love these people, and love calling it home. In 2013 I graduated from Wingate University with a degree in Religious Studies and English, followed by a Master of Divinity degree from the Wake Forest University School of Divinity in 2016. Along the way I married the love of my life, Alyssa, in 2015 after 6 years together. We’ve been married 7.5 years now, with a 7 year old dog named Tobi and a 4.5 year old son named Maxwell.
Rev. Dr. Tracie Jernigan
Minister of Worship Arts
EmailI’m Tracie, and I’m so excited to be back in Wilmington! My husband, Nick, and I moved here as newlyweds in 2010. Our sons, Charlie (11) and Sam (9), were born at NHRMC, so returning to our church family at FBCW feels like coming home. I’m a Texas born-and-raised gal and attended Baylor University for a Bachelor in Church Music in Organ and a Master of Music in Church Music. I also earned a Master of Divinity at Baylor’s Truett Seminary. I recently continued my education – at another school with a bear mascot – by completing a Doctor of Ministry in Theology and Worship from McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University. I’ve served in worship ministry for 28 years, most recently at The Summit Church in Sylva, NC.
Rev. Gavin Spell
Minister to Missions and Media
EmailBefore coming to FBC Wilmington, I served as a Minister to Youth and Families at a church in Raleigh. My wife Haley and I are so excited to be a part of the FBC church family.
Rev. Christian Davis
Minister of Engagement
EmailBefore joining the FBC Staff in January of 2023, I served as the Minister of Students at Trinity Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. In 2014, I graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in International Studies and a minor in Non-profit Studies. In 2018, I graduated from Campbell University Divinity School with a Master of Divinity degree.
After graduating, I began serving as a Student Ministry Intern at Trinity Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC and was called into the role of Student Ministry Associate in November of 2014 working primarily with Middle School Students. In 2015, I stepped into the role of Minister to Students serving middle school, high school, and college students and their families. Finally, in 2019 I took on ministerial leadership of the Recreation Ministry and became the Minister to Students and Recreation.
I have been married 6 years to my wife Ashley, and we have an almost 2-year-old daughter, Reese – whom our lives revolve around – and our dog, Kira.
Dr. Jim Baldwin
Minister to Senior Adults
EmailBefore coming to First Baptist as the Minister to Senior Adults, I served as the pastor of three churches across North Carolina over the last 36 years. My wife, ENan and I returned to Wilmington, my home town, several years ago to continue our ministry. We share a deep passion and heart for missions and love serving others. We enjoy walking on the beach, visiting with grandchildren, traveling to new places, and hosting friends on our back porch.
Amanda Norris
FBC Christian Preschool Director
EmailSince 2006, I have served as the director of the First Baptist Christian Preschool. I grew up in First Baptist Church and have loved raising my two children, Connor and Madison in my childhood church. Recently we celebrated the wedding of our daughter Madison, and welcomed a new son, Jonathan, into our family.
Savannah Dougherty
Communications Coordinator
EmailBefore joining the FBC Staff in 2021, I was an administrative assistant at UNCW. I met my husband Trevor in college through our mutual love for theatre and arts, and we were married in October of 2020. We are avid readers and love spending quiet weekends at home with our cat Mr. Socks. If we aren’t reading, you can find us in the theatre (on stage, backstage, or just enjoying the show) or playing board games with friends.
Laura Abrams
Administrative Assistant Sr. Pastor and Connection & Care
EmailBefore joining the FBC staff in 2022, I was an elementary educator, both here in Wilmington and in Chapel Hill. I am married to my high school sweetheart, Kyle, and we have two children who keep us on our toes! I was born and raised in Wilmington and grew up here at FBC. I am absolutely thrilled to be working at a place that is so special to me.
Natalia Montagano
Business Manager/Bookkeeper
EmailI am an accomplished Office Manager, skilled in a host of daily accounting functions, including payroll and QuickBooks. I attended Quinnipiac University for Accounting, and have a diverse background in non-profits, business operations, program management, training, and marketing. Most recently, I worked at Cape Fear Community College, in the Registrar’s office.
Mark Gansor
Organist
EmailMark joined our staff in 2021 as our organist. You can hear his amazing talent every Sunday in the 11AM service and sometimes during the week! When he’s not at work, he loves gardening and organ building.
Dee Oxendine
Building Attendant (Activity Center)
EmailDee started working for us in 2019, and she is an amazing part of our team. Dee is a veteran of the US Army. She was deployed 2 times in Germany and also served at Ft. Bragg. She is the wife of a veteran whom we affectionately call “G,” and the two of them are a great match. Dee enjoys the gym, decorating, and design. Her favorite holiday is Christmas.