Leadership

Mark and his family arrived at FBC in 2008. Mark is a native of Oklahoma growing up in southwest part of the state. Mark has served in churches in Massachusetts, Florida, Kentucky and Kansas and has now returned to where it all began. Mark and his family are thrilled to be back in Oklahoma. Mark is married to Teresa an elementary school music teacher and they have twin daughters Sydney and Chloe. Mark aspires to be a lifelong learner continually discovering what God has in store next, both for him and the Christ community. He is also deeply committed to helping people discover the next steps in knowing and following Jesus Christ. Mark's biblical teaching is committed to the values of simplicity and relevance. Some of Mark’s Favorite Things: Gravy: Almost everything tastes better with liquid seasoning. Competition: From sports to board games and everything in between. Movies: Best ever, Dead Poets Society, Shawshank Redemption, Hoosiers, The Natural. Reading: Mystery and Suspense Fiction. Funny People: Too numerous to mention. Some of Mark’s Least Favorite Things: Fixing or repairing things. Pets that live like people. Waiting. A Little Known Fact Amnesia, Mark once lost memory of an entire day in the fourth grade.

Wade and his wife, Alice, They became part of the FBC fellowship in January, 2009, and Wade joined the ministry staff that August.

Wade says "Being part of the First Baptist family is a great blessing for us. It is a caring fellowship of love, unity, and acceptance where lives are being changed."

Wade and Alice moved to Wagoner after serving some 34 years as pastor of churches in Washington, California, Arizona, and Oklahoma, where he also served for 14 years as Director of Missions for the LeFlore Baptist Association in Southeast Oklahoma. Wade actually grew up in Wagoner, moving here the summer he turned 10. After graduation from NSU in Tahlequah, He went out to the Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, California. It was there that he met Alice. They have three children: Mark, of Jenks, Oklahoma, Bruce, of Norman, Oklahoma, and Melanie, of Fort Worth, Texas, and three remarkable grandchildren. Wade likes to read, fish, travel, and watch old movies, not necessarily in that order. Although he seems to be doing a lot more reading and watching old movies than either traveling or fishing these days. Wade is a fan of the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane, the Oakland Raiders, and the Oakland Athletics. (Wade and Alice lived in Oakland for several years).

Nathan joined the staff at FBC in January of 2016.  He is the proud husband of Candice and the proud father of Isaiah and Emma.  Most his free time is spent with them, because he enjoys every minute he gets with them.  The Otto’s are from Texas, and very proud of that.  Just ask them!  They are enjoying Oklahoma, and are glad the Lord has brought them here.  All of Nathan’s previous ministry positions were in Texas.  He has led churches as a Student Pastor, Student/Worship Pastor, Associate Pastor, and Senior Pastor.  He has completed some seminary, and is still taking classes.  Music has always been in his heart, and he loves leading the worship ministry here at FBC.

Blaine joined the FBC staff in August of 2020. He and his wife, Megan, will have been married 11 years this December, but they have been together much longer than that (high school sweethearts going all the way back to the 8th grade). Before being led to Wagoner, Blaine was blessed to serve on staff in his home church at FBC Warner for 10 years. His pastoral service includes student ministry, associate pastor, and interim lead pastor for 9 months during the height of COVID-19. While his experience is wide ranging, Blaine’s passion and calling is in student ministry. Seeing students transformed by the gospel and growing in Christ is what it’s all about! Blaine is currently pursuing his Master of Theological Studies degree, emphasis Preaching/Pastoral Ministry from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary out of Kansas City, Missouri. When he’s not doing homework, Blaine enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 children—Shiloh Louise Ross (3 years old) and Jackson Dwane Ross (9 months old). Blaine bleeds orange as an OSU fan, and he loves a round of golf, a pickup game of basketball, ping pong, corn hole, metal detecting, and anything else that is close to being considered a sport.

Garrett joined FBC in October of 2019. He is happily married to his wife, Hailey. They moved to Wagoner from Shawnee, Oklahoma where they both grew up and attended college together at Oklahoma Baptist University. Garrett graduated with a degree in Children’s Ministry and a minor in Sports Ministry. He has been working in Children’s ministry since he was a sophomore in high school and has a passion for inspiring kids with the Gospel. Garrett spends most of his free time with Hailey, and enjoys woodworking, hunting, tending to his chickens, or spending time outdoors. Garrett loves his church family and is grateful to be working here at FBC.

Tamera grew up in Nowata, Oklahoma and graduated from Nowata High School.  She went on to college in Shawnee and graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University. She has attended FBC for 5 years before joining our staff. Her husband Kyle has been at Mill Creek Lumber the past 4 years.  They have 2 children, Cheyenne and Sheamus.  Some of Tamera's favorite things to do are spend time with her family, exercise with her Refit Crew and watch her children at their extracurricular activities.