Pastoral Staff
Rev. Will Emery
Associate Pastor of Administration and Discipleship
Will was raised in Blackshear, Georgia. God graciously saved him at the age of 12 and then called him to ministry at the age of 15. He has served with the youth, missions, and ministries over his time at FBC.
Will recently graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry. He is currently working on a Master of Divinity through Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Will’s role in the church is to provide leadership for Administration and Discipleship. In all that he does, he desires to, “walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).
Will enjoys to read, travel, and golf.
Rev. Eric Dyer
Associate Pastor of Youth
Eric grew up in Cookeville, Tennessee, and was saved at the age of 7 at vacation bible school. After college, Eric attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary before moving to Blackshear in 2017. Then he graduated in 2019 with his Masters of Divinity. He is married to his wife Julia and has two children, Charlotte and Charles.
Eric's role in the church is to provide every person in the 6th-12th grade with teaching from the Bible, and the proclamation of the Gospel. He organizes Wednesday and Sunday programs that are attractive and beneficial to students. The summers are also packed with exciting activities and life-changing events like camp and DNow.
The goal of student ministry at FBC is as students take steps toward adulthood, they also take a step toward Jesus. FBC Student ministry hopes to see more and more high school students graduate and continue to attend church. Eric truly believes students are the church of today, and they will be the ones that bring the gospel to the world.
Rev. Matt Peters
Associate Pastor of Worship
Matt serves as the Associate Pastor of Worship for FBC Blackshear. He joined the staff in October 2020. Matt is from Cordele, GA and moved to Waycross in 2002. He is married to Jessica and they have four children, Lily, Will, Ella, and Judah.
Matt earned an A.S. in Business Management from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College as well as a B.S. in Business Management from Georgia Southwestern State University. After college, Matt spent nine years working as a golf professional and earned Class A status with the PGA of America. In 2009 he answered the call to the ministry and has served in the areas of outreach, community missions and worship leadership. Matt has recently graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a M.A. in Pastoral Ministry.
Matt enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, hiking, kayaking, and playing & singing music.
Madi Lowe
Children's Director
Madi is from Pensacola, Florida and accepted Christ and was baptized at the age of 5. She is a graduate of the University of West Florida with a bachelor's degree in Communications. She has worked in preschool ministry for 6 years in Pensacola and moved to Blackshear in 2022. She plans to pursue a Master's of Arts degree in Christian Education.
Madi's role in the church is to equip volunteers and to see children come to know Christ and grow in their walk with the Lord to become fully devoted followers of Christ in a safe, loving, and high energy environment.
Madi enjoys art, traveling, watching Alabama football and spending time with friends and family.
Administrative Staff
Gwen Cason
Ministry Assistant
Gwen joined the First Baptist Church staff in February 2001 as Secretary and has been Ministry Assistant since 2007.
Born and raised in Blackshear, GA, Gwen accepted Christ at the age of 12 at her home church, Beulah Baptist Church.
She is married to Bill Cason and has two daughters: Joanna Savino and Brianna King.
She enjoys working in her yard, cooking, shopping, and spending time with her family.
Denise Taylor
Financial Secretary
Denise is the Financial and Membership Secretary.
Denise joined the staff at First Baptist Church in August 1999 as Secretary and has been the Financial and Membership Secretary since November 2000.
She is married to Richie Taylor, and they have two children, Robbie (Amanda) Taylor and Maura (Brandon) Carter, and four grandchildren, Adalynn & Austyn Taylor and Avery & Dutton Carter.
She is a member of Lees Chapel Baptist Church
Bruce Callahan
Media Director
Bruce Callahan is the Media Director and has been an active member at FBC for over 26 years.
He is married to Cindy, who plays the piano and keyboards at FBC. They have two children, Courtney Lindsey (David) and Ryan Callahan (Lindsey). Bruce and Cindy are expecting their first grandchild, Emma Lee, in August 2022.
Bruce retired from UPS in January 2020 and accepted the role of Media Director at FBC.
He enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family.
Jenna Maney
Recreation Director
Jenna Maney was born in San Diego, CA, but spent the majority of her life in Eden Prairie, MN.
She graduated from the University of North Dakota in 2010 with a double degree in Early Childhood and Elementary education.
After graduating, she moved to Honolulu, HI where she met her husband, Nick. They got married in 2013.
In 2019, Jenna graduated with her Masters in Early Childhood. She taught for 10 years before leaving the teaching profession in May 2020.
Jenna and her husband have three boys; Kai (19), Jameson (5) and Henry (2). They have lived in Blackshear since May 2019.
Christy Joyner
Preschool Director
Christy is married to Mark and they have 4 children, Lindsay James (Randall), Sandi Joyner, Macie Joyner, and Payton Joyner (Mary). They also have 3 grandchildren, Fletcher James, Finn James and Eloise Joyner.
Christy has been attending FBC for 30 years. She currently teaches the 2 & 3-year-old Sunday school class with her husband, Mark. I have a heart for children and the elderly. I am an Aging and Disability Resource Connection Counselor/Dementia Cares Specialist at Southern Georgia Regional Commission, allowing me to work with the elderly.