Michael Cook became the Senior Pastor of Albuquerque's First Baptist Church in January of 2006, having previously served as pastor at churches in Gilmer, Hempstead, and McLeod, Texas. He attended and/or holds degrees from East Texas Baptist University, Stephen F. Austin State University, New Orleans Theological Seminary, and Texas A&M Commerce. "I hope to do three things in my ministry," Michael says: "Deepen understanding of God's Word, impact lives for the better, and make people feel special." He and his wife, Becky, have one daughter, Amber.
A FEW FUN FAVORITES
FAVORITE BOOKS: "The Present Future;" "The Tipping Point"
FAVORITE MOVIE: Hoosiers
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Colorado Mountains
FAVORITE PASTTIME ACTIVITIES: Watching football, doing yard work
ONE THING NO ONE WOULD GUESS ABOUT ME: I am really a "shy" person.
Jason Millsaps has served as the Worship Pastor since August 2008. Jason graduated from Carson Newman College and holds a Master of Arts in Worship from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He began writing music in 1997, following his call into music ministry, and has recorded three albums. Jason became a Christ Follower at the age of six while attending Children's Church at his home church in Knoxville. He says, "My passion is leading people in worship through music. My purpose in life is to love God, evangelize the lost, and help others become closer to God through music. It thrills my soul to help others truly worship in spirit and truth. It is a privilege to have such a great opportunity to lead worship every week." He and his wife, Andrea, have two sons, Jonathan and Jaden.
A FEW FUN FAVORITES
FAVORITE BOOKS: The Complete Worship Leader; Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire; anything by John Maxwell
FAVORITE MOVIES: Dumb and Dumber; Lord of the Rings; all Pixar movies
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Destin, FL
FAVORITE PASTTIME ACTIVITIES: Playing golf, hunting
ONE THING NO ONE WOULD GUESS ABOUT YOU: I hate cheese but love pizza.
As the Minister of Outreach and Evangelism, Kevin Linthicum says, "I am driven to invest time and energy into the lives of people around me. I would like to see my investment yield a change in the spiritual lives of others." Kevin began his position in April of 2006, having previously been a private business owner in Texas. He holds a BACMin degree with a minor in Biblical Studies. He and his wife, Susan, have two children -- Stewart and Alexis.
A FEW FUN FAVORITES
FAVORITE BOOKS: "If You Want to Walk on Water You Have to Get Out of the Boat;" "The Master Plan of Evangelism;" "The Tipping Point;" "Air Frame;" "Returning to Holiness;" "Fox on Socks" (Kevin reads a lot!)
FAVORITE MOVIES: Remember the Titans, Midway, Patton, A Few Good Men, It's a Wonderful Life (And sees lots of movies!)
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Destin, Florida
FAVORITE PASTTIME ACTIVITIES: Golf, spending time with my wife and kids
ONE THING NO ONE WOULD GUESS ABOUT ME: I am tenderhearted.
Burben "Trey" Sullins served as Children's and Preschool Pastor since July of 2006, and he has recently taken on the role of Student Pastor. Trey holds a Masters in Christian Education from Southwestern Theological Seminary and has served at churches in both Mississippi and Florida. He and his wife, Kristi, who is a great asset to his ministry, have three young children -- Trason, Sophia, and Elijah. "I see Student Ministry as one of the most important ministries in the church -- they will become the adults in the church, and this is one of the most influential times in anyone's life."
A FEW FUN FAVORITES
FAVORITE BOOKS: "Blue Like Jazz," by Donald Miller (or any other Donald Miller book!); "The Barbarian Way," by Erwin McManus
FAVORITE MOVIES: X-Men; any Jet Li movie; National Treasure
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: A cruise -- wherever the boat takes me!
FAVORITE PASTTIME ACTIVITIES: Family, golf, working on my truck
ONE THING NO ONE WOULD GUESS ABOUT YOU: I love talk radio...it's the only thing that keeps me awake on long drives.
After 32 years in law enforcement, Danny Whatley became the director of Noon Day in January of 2008. Danny says, "God has shown me so much over the past two years. I have realized that one of the most important needs in our society is to show people the compassion of Christ. When [people] see Jesus through the love of Noon Day, it makes an amazing difference." He and his wife, Roberta, have been married for 35 years and have two grown children, Amy and Michael, and several grandchildren.
A FEW FUN FAVORITES:
FAVORITE MOVIE: Shenandoah
FAVORITE RECORDING ARTIST: James Taylor
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Red River, NM & Ouray, CO
FAVORITE THING ABOUT ALBUQUERQUE: The climate and close proximity to snow.
Kristi Sullins has served as the Children/Preschool Director since February 2012. She graduated from the University of Mobile with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. While in College she met her husband, Trey Sullins, and the two now have 3 children: Trason, Sophia, and Elijah. She believes there is no better way to change the world than through children. Their unexplainable faith and acceptance of God is a constant picture of the way He calls each of us to love Him. Her passion is to surround them with the pure truth of God, equip them to share that truth, and give them opportunities to apply it. Kristi previously worked for Two Rivers Baptist Church, Old Spanish Fort Baptist Church, and Tate Springs Baptist Church.
Favorite Books: Absolute favorite is "The Once and Future King," but I love too many books to list.
Favorite Movies: All the Indiana Jones Movies, original Star Wars trilogy, Goonies, Pretty In Pink
Favorite vacation spot: Where ever there is water.
Favorite food(s): Sushi
One thing no one would guess about you: That I am a college football fanatic. I have it on all the time during football season.
