David Freeman
 Senior Pastor

  A native of Martin, Tennessee (Weakley County), David has been the pastor at First Baptist Church since March of 2007. David is a graduate of Mid-Continent University in Mayfield, Kentucky and Mid-America Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee. A pastor since 1993, David has served churches in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi.  

David married his pastor’s daughter, Deanna, in 1992. David and Deanna have been blessed with three wonderful children: Isaac (b. June 1, 1995), Nick (b. December 16, 1997) and Chloe (b. May 25, 2004).  The Freemans enjoy spending time with their family and friends, following the Tennessee Vols, writing and performing music, playing video games and watching movies together over a big bowl of popcorn.
 

                             
 David Freeman
 Senior Pastor

  A native of Martin, Tennessee (Weakley County), David has been the pastor at First Baptist Church since March of 2007. David is a graduate of Mid-Continent University in Mayfield, Kentucky and Mid-America Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee. A pastor since 1993, David has served churches in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi.  

David married his pastor’s daughter, Deanna, in 1992. David and Deanna have been blessed with three wonderful children: Isaac (b. June 1, 1995), Nick (b. December 16, 1997) and Chloe (b. May 25, 2004).  The Freemans enjoy spending time with their family and friends, following the Tennessee Vols, writing and performing music, playing video games and watching movies together over a big bowl of popcorn.
 

Don McElroy
Associate Pastor / Senior Adults

 Don is a vital part of the ministry at FBC. Don has served this body of believers for 30 years and has done so with much humility, love and laughter. Don is a graduate of Belmont University and The Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY. Don's wife, Ann, is also a leader in her own right and actively serves her family and her church family.

Don is known for his office antics like poking holes in past pastor's waders, duct taping David's office including the phone or hanging Christmas decorations in the secretary's office...in July. Yes, he has a fun side; however, his love for Christ is evident in his love and care for the people of FBC. Don has a gentle spirit and is a giver and serves as an example to all. 


 

Don McElroy
Associate Pastor / Senior Adults

 Don is a vital part of the ministry at FBC. Don has served this body of believers for 30 years and has done so with much humility, love and laughter. Don is a graduate of Belmont University and The Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY. Don's wife, Ann, is also a leader in her own right and actively serves her family and her church family.

Don is known for his office antics like poking holes in past pastor's waders, duct taping David's office including the phone or hanging Christmas decorations in the secretary's office...in July. Yes, he has a fun side; however, his love for Christ is evident in his love and care for the people of FBC. Don has a gentle spirit and is a giver and serves as an example to all. 


 

Benji Thomas
Minister of Education and Missions

Benji was brought up in Leeds, Alabama in a loving home and church (Leeds First Baptist) where Jesus was consistently presented to him as the only Lord and Savior. Even at a young age God gracefully opened his eyes to the weight of his sin and to His provision of forgiveness in Christ. Through daily devotional times in the Word with his father and the faithful investment of Sunday School, R.A. and VBS leaders, a strong foundation was laid in his life.

After graduating from Leeds High School in 1994, Benji attended the University of Montevallo where God had much more in store for him. With prayer and the counsel of trusted spiritual leaders, he sensed God’s leading to pursue ministry leadership upon graduation from college in 1999 and entered seminary at Beeson Divinity School at Samford University. After completing his first year, his former church collegiate minister challenged him to join in planting a new church in Orlando, Florida. Benji moved to Orlando, transferring seminaries to Reformed Theological Seminary and leading the church’s mission ministry, particularly focusing on international students.

Graduating with a Master in Divinity degree in 2003, the Lord called Benji to serve a two-year term overseas in the Arab world with the International Mission Board. He became good friends with a pretty young lady on his team named Joanna who would become his wife three years later. God has blessed them with a son, Micah, and a daughter, Evie.
             

Benji Thomas
Minister of Education and Missions

Benji was brought up in Leeds, Alabama in a loving home and church (Leeds First Baptist) where Jesus was consistently presented to him as the only Lord and Savior. Even at a young age God gracefully opened his eyes to the weight of his sin and to His provision of forgiveness in Christ. Through daily devotional times in the Word with his father and the faithful investment of Sunday School, R.A. and VBS leaders, a strong foundation was laid in his life.

After graduating from Leeds High School in 1994, Benji attended the University of Montevallo where God had much more in store for him. With prayer and the counsel of trusted spiritual leaders, he sensed God’s leading to pursue ministry leadership upon graduation from college in 1999 and entered seminary at Beeson Divinity School at Samford University. After completing his first year, his former church collegiate minister challenged him to join in planting a new church in Orlando, Florida. Benji moved to Orlando, transferring seminaries to Reformed Theological Seminary and leading the church’s mission ministry, particularly focusing on international students.

Graduating with a Master in Divinity degree in 2003, the Lord called Benji to serve a two-year term overseas in the Arab world with the International Mission Board. He became good friends with a pretty young lady on his team named Joanna who would become his wife three years later. God has blessed them with a son, Micah, and a daughter, Evie.
             

 Zach Young
 Minister of Worship

Raised in Delaware, Zach has been involved in church music for most of his life.  God used various people, circumstances, and events to call Zach into vocational music ministry.  In order to prepare for that calling, Zach earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Bob Jones University before proceeding to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he completed his Master of Church Music degree in 2008.  Zach met his beautiful wife Stephanie at the annual meeting of the Kentucky Baptist Convention (2007).  They were married in 2008 and have been serving at FBC Lebanon since June of 2010.

Zach prefers a traditional music program with an adult choir, graded choirs, and instrumental programs, but stylistically prefers a blended approach to church music. He appreciates a variety of musical styles and seeks to discover the “heart language” of his congregation in order to open the door for all participants in the worship gathering to have a meaningful encounter with the living God.

 Zach Young
 Minister of Worship

Raised in Delaware, Zach has been involved in church music for most of his life.  God used various people, circumstances, and events to call Zach into vocational music ministry.  In order to prepare for that calling, Zach earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Bob Jones University before proceeding to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he completed his Master of Church Music degree in 2008.  Zach met his beautiful wife Stephanie at the annual meeting of the Kentucky Baptist Convention (2007).  They were married in 2008 and have been serving at FBC Lebanon since June of 2010.

Zach prefers a traditional music program with an adult choir, graded choirs, and instrumental programs, but stylistically prefers a blended approach to church music. He appreciates a variety of musical styles and seeks to discover the “heart language” of his congregation in order to open the door for all participants in the worship gathering to have a meaningful encounter with the living God.

 Josh Hornbaker
 Minister of Youth & Children

Josh was born in San Antonio, Tx and was raised in Columbia, TN. He attended Columbia State University for one year before transferring to Middle Tennessee State University where he graduated with a B.S. in Basic and Applied Science. There he met his future wife, Cindy and they married in 2004.

After following the Lord's leadership, Josh graduated from The Southern Baptist University in 2007 with a Master of Divinity and was ordained at First Baptist Church, Columbia, TN. Josh has served churches in both TN and GA and joined the staff at FBC in March 2011.

 Josh Hornbaker
 Minister of Youth & Children

Josh was born in San Antonio, Tx and was raised in Columbia, TN. He attended Columbia State University for one year before transferring to Middle Tennessee State University where he graduated with a B.S. in Basic and Applied Science. There he met his future wife, Cindy and they married in 2004.

After following the Lord's leadership, Josh graduated from The Southern Baptist University in 2007 with a Master of Divinity and was ordained at First Baptist Church, Columbia, TN. Josh has served churches in both TN and GA and joined the staff at FBC in March 2011.