Pastor, Staff & Leadership
Ministers
Dr. Bryant Barnes pastor@fbccolumbia.org
Pastor
Dr. Barnes began serving as First Baptist Church pastor on April 1, 2007. He is a graduate of William Carey College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div) (Th.D.). In over thirty years of ministry, Dr. Barnes has served as pastor in churches in Louisiana and Mississippi, and is currently serving as a Trustee for William Carey University. Dr. Barnes and his wife Cheryl have one son who is attending Mississippi State University..
Tom Thurman (tgthurman33@bellsouth.net)
Minister
Tom Thurman has served as Minister at First Baptist Church since June 2006. He is married to Gloria P. Thurman and they have two sons, Philip and David. Both sons are married, and Philip has three children. The Thurmans served with the International Mission Board in Bangladesh for thirty-five years (1964-1999). They are now retired and live permanently in Columbia. They have been married for 46 years.
CJ Johnson (youth@fbccolumbia.org):
Minister of Youth
CJ has been serving at First Baptist Church since February 1998. He is a graduate of Samford University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married to Julie and has two daughters Zoë, age 8, and Miá, age 5. CJ grew up in Hollywood, Florida and was a member of Sheridan Hills Baptist Church. He served in several churches in Florida as a youth intern pastor while attending college and seminary. His hobbies include snow skiing, sports, reading, computers and attempting to fix things around the house. His favorite thing to do is spend time with his girls and the students.
It continues to be a great privilege and joy to serve at FBC. God has and is continuing to bless our students and their families as we are gracefully walking in the footsteps of Jesus. CJ Johnson
Jennifer Baker (jenafen75@yahoo.com)
Preschool and Children's Minister
It is my passion to see kids grow in Christ.
Jennifer has been serving at First Baptist Church since 2001. She is a graduate of Belhaven College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She has served as intern minister of preschooler/children at Colonial Heights Baptist Church and minister of preschooler/children at FBC Gulfport, MS. Her hobbies include writing, cats, computers and horse back riding. She is an avid Mississippi State Bulldogs fan. Her current favorite phrase is “It's all good”.
O.J. Seals (education@fbccolumbia.org)
Minister of Education and Recreation
OJ has been serving at First Baptist Church since June, 2008. He is a graduate of William Carey University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. OJ served as pastor at East Columbia Baptist Church for twelve years and has served at Tylertown Baptist Church. He is married to Teresa and they have three children Emily 18, Ellen Jo 16, and Ethan 11.
Hugh Plunkett (hughdog401@yahoo.com)
Minister of Music
Hugh has been serving at First Baptist Church since April,
2009. He is a graduate of Mississippi College. Hugh has served as Minister of Music and Senior Adults in Magee, MS and Clarksdale, MS. He is married to Wanda and they have four children. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, golf, coaching softball, playing rook and reading. Hugh plays the trumpet, handbells, guitar and bass guitar.
Office Staff
Elsie Fortenberry (elsiefortenberry@yahoo.com)
Financial Secretary and Office Manager
Elsie Fortenberry is a lifelong resident of Marion County and has been employed at First Baptist Church for 23 years as the Financial Secretary and Office Manager. Elsie and the late Charles Fortenberry have four children, Charles, Jr., Patricia, Philip and Betty Jo. They also have five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Cornelia Cooper (corneliacooper@yahoo.com)
Pastor's Secretary
Cornelia Cooper is a lifelong resident of Columbia and has been employed at First Baptist Church for 24 years as the Pastor's Secretary. She is married to Fred Cooper and has two children, Andy Moorman & Jennifer Sorrell and three step-children, Mike, Trish and Steve Cooper. They have nine grandchildren.
Ellen Hawkins (aellenh@bellsouth.net)
Music Assistant
Ellen Hawkins has served as Organist and Music Assistant at First Baptist Church for 23 years. She is a native of Tupelo, MS. She completed her Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance at Blue Mountain College and her Master of Music degree in organ from the University of Southern Mississippi. In addition to her duties at First Baptist Church, Ellen serves as organist at St. Stephens Episcopal Church and is an adjunct music instructor for Pearl River Community College. She is a member of the American Guild of Organists.
Dianne Pittman (cssmom39429@yahoo.com)
Educational Secretary
Dianne Pittman has served as educational secretary for 7 years. She was born in Guam while her father was serving in the Air Force. She is a graduate of Pearl River Community College. She is the wife of Duane Pittman and they have three daughters, Celia, Sarah and Shelley. Celia is a graduate of Mississippi College and is married to Anthony Roman. Celia and Anthony live in Nashville, TN. Sarah is a graduate of William Carey College and is married to Matt Robinson. Sarah teaches English in the Columbia School District. Shelley is a nurse at Forrest General in Hattiesburg, MS. Dianne and Duane have been married for 31 years and reside in the Bunker Hill Community.
Director of Preschool and Kindergarten