Rev. Wayne Earnest - Senior Pastor
Pastor Wayne has served the First Baptist Church of Fort Odgen for over 16 years. He is a graduate of the University of South Florida, and the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with over 46 years experience in church pastoral leadership. Pastor Wayne has served churches in both Florida and Texas. He has served in numerous leadership positions on the local, state, and national level. These positions have included Moderator of the Suncoast Baptist Association, member of the Florida Baptist State Board of Missions, and as a Trustee with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Pastor Wayne has led numerous mission trips to Mexico and Brazil. Pastor Wayne and his wife Nannette are the proud parents of two daughters, and two granddaughters. He enjoys Hunting, Fishing, Boating and working with cattle.
Pastor Wayne has served the First Baptist Church of Fort Odgen for over 16 years. He is a graduate of the University of South Florida, and the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with over 46 years experience in church pastoral leadership. Pastor Wayne has served churches in both Florida and Texas. He has served in numerous leadership positions on the local, state, and national level. These positions have included Moderator of the Suncoast Baptist Association, member of the Florida Baptist State Board of Missions, and as a Trustee with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Pastor Wayne has led numerous mission trips to Mexico and Brazil. Pastor Wayne and his wife Nannette are the proud parents of two daughters, and two granddaughters. He enjoys Hunting, Fishing, Boating and working with cattle.
Greg Sullivan - Student Ministries
A native Floridian, Greg has been involved with youth for more than 20 years and is our Youth Pastor. In addition to several mission trips abroad, Greg began a summer camp for children and youth that has grown from 28 students at its inception to over 200 students and workers. He is an active FCA Chaplin (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and is in the public schools of Charlotte and Desoto counties leading prayer groups and devotions. Greg works with Josh Hausman in our Men's Ministry leading in Bible Studies and hosting a semi annual Outdoorsmen event that reaches over 500 men. Greg and wife Barbara have four children and four grandchildren. Greg enjoys hunting and just spending time with family.
A native Floridian, Greg has been involved with youth for more than 20 years and is our Youth Pastor. In addition to several mission trips abroad, Greg began a summer camp for children and youth that has grown from 28 students at its inception to over 200 students and workers. He is an active FCA Chaplin (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and is in the public schools of Charlotte and Desoto counties leading prayer groups and devotions. Greg works with Josh Hausman in our Men's Ministry leading in Bible Studies and hosting a semi annual Outdoorsmen event that reaches over 500 men. Greg and wife Barbara have four children and four grandchildren. Greg enjoys hunting and just spending time with family.
Josh Hausman - Minister of Music
Born in Port Charlotte, Fl and a resident of Desoto county since age 6 months , Josh Hausman has been attending the First Baptist Church of Ft. Ogden for 22 years. In addition to his duties as Minister of Music, Josh also volunteers his time as a Sunday school teacher and youth leader. Josh and Debbie are the proud parents of Caleb, age 20, and Ashlynn, age 18. Debbie, Caleb and Ashlynn are also members of the Praise and Worship team.
Born in Port Charlotte, Fl and a resident of Desoto county since age 6 months , Josh Hausman has been attending the First Baptist Church of Ft. Ogden for 22 years. In addition to his duties as Minister of Music, Josh also volunteers his time as a Sunday school teacher and youth leader. Josh and Debbie are the proud parents of Caleb, age 20, and Ashlynn, age 18. Debbie, Caleb and Ashlynn are also members of the Praise and Worship team.
Barbara Jo Davis Sullivan - Ladies Ministry Director
A native Floridian, Barbara Sullivan has been involved in ministry most of her life and has been an active member for 17 years. She attended Tomlinson Bible College in Cleveland, Tennessee. Barbara is not only our Ladies Minister Director but she also is a member of our Praise and Worship Team. Barbara also works closely with her husband Greg who is our Youth Pastor. Barbara and Greg have four children and four grandchildren. In her spare time she enjoys hunting, fishing, reading, and Nascar.
A native Floridian, Barbara Sullivan has been involved in ministry most of her life and has been an active member for 17 years. She attended Tomlinson Bible College in Cleveland, Tennessee. Barbara is not only our Ladies Minister Director but she also is a member of our Praise and Worship Team. Barbara also works closely with her husband Greg who is our Youth Pastor. Barbara and Greg have four children and four grandchildren. In her spare time she enjoys hunting, fishing, reading, and Nascar.
Kelly Morse - Children & Awana Director
Kelly was born in Arcadia, FL. She grew up in Charlotte County and graduated from Port Charlotte High School in 2000. She worked for Charlotte County Homeless Coalition for a few years assisting those in need. Kelly has been married to Scott Morse for 14 years and they have three children. Scott volunteers his time at the church by serving in the sound booth and ushering. Kelly has her Associates degree in Human Services Management and her bachelors degree in Psychology. Scott and Kelly were active members of Murdock Baptist Church for seven years before coming to FBC Fort Ogden in 2016. Kelly has spent the last few years raising her children and homeschooling. Kelly enjoys spending time with her family, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and working on their hobby farm.
Kelly was born in Arcadia, FL. She grew up in Charlotte County and graduated from Port Charlotte High School in 2000. She worked for Charlotte County Homeless Coalition for a few years assisting those in need. Kelly has been married to Scott Morse for 14 years and they have three children. Scott volunteers his time at the church by serving in the sound booth and ushering. Kelly has her Associates degree in Human Services Management and her bachelors degree in Psychology. Scott and Kelly were active members of Murdock Baptist Church for seven years before coming to FBC Fort Ogden in 2016. Kelly has spent the last few years raising her children and homeschooling. Kelly enjoys spending time with her family, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and working on their hobby farm.
Debbie Hausman - Nursery Director
Debbie is a lifelong member of the church and serves as nursery director in addition to supporting Josh. She is also member of the Praise and Worship team along with her children Caleb age 20 and Ashlynn age 18. She is also raising a precious one year old that she hopes to add to her family soon. The verse God uses to speak to her most is Psalm 46:10, "Be still, know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Debbie is a lifelong member of the church and serves as nursery director in addition to supporting Josh. She is also member of the Praise and Worship team along with her children Caleb age 20 and Ashlynn age 18. She is also raising a precious one year old that she hopes to add to her family soon. The verse God uses to speak to her most is Psalm 46:10, "Be still, know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Wanda Lowe - Sunday School Director
Wanda and her husband Daniel have been married for 56 years. They moved to Arcadia, Florida in 1999 from Indianapolis, Indiana. They found their church home and became members of First Baptist in 2003. They have a daughter Melissa, son Brian, grandsons Keith, Nathan and Brayden, granddaughter Danielle, great granddaughters Kyla and Ryanna. They all live in Indiana, expect Brian, so our church family is very special to us. In 2005 Wanda became Sunday School Director and Daniel became an usher and greeter, positions he continues to serve in. Since 2005 she has served as our children's AWANA Program Secretary on Wednesday nights. In 2009 a Ministry for our Seniors called Silver Souls was started and Wanda was asked to be Trip Director. Her hobbies throughout the years has been fishing, Nascar, and crafts. Her and her husband Daniel enjoy getting together with friends and going to southern Gospel music concerts.
Wanda and her husband Daniel have been married for 56 years. They moved to Arcadia, Florida in 1999 from Indianapolis, Indiana. They found their church home and became members of First Baptist in 2003. They have a daughter Melissa, son Brian, grandsons Keith, Nathan and Brayden, granddaughter Danielle, great granddaughters Kyla and Ryanna. They all live in Indiana, expect Brian, so our church family is very special to us. In 2005 Wanda became Sunday School Director and Daniel became an usher and greeter, positions he continues to serve in. Since 2005 she has served as our children's AWANA Program Secretary on Wednesday nights. In 2009 a Ministry for our Seniors called Silver Souls was started and Wanda was asked to be Trip Director. Her hobbies throughout the years has been fishing, Nascar, and crafts. Her and her husband Daniel enjoy getting together with friends and going to southern Gospel music concerts.
Paulette Smallwood - Church Secretary
Paulette was born and raised in Macon, Georgia and has been active in church all her life. She was married to Rev. Jesse Smallwood who was called into the ministry after they were married. They attended college together both working on ministry related areas. Both attended Midwestern Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri which was a big eye opening experience. He passed away in 2015 and Paulette moved back to Punta Gorda, Florida to be near her daughter and granddaughter. Her son decided to move here with her to “take care of Momma”. She enjoys singing, reading and the Georgia Bulldogs. Her one great passion is telling people how God has been there for her through all things, good and bad.
Paulette was born and raised in Macon, Georgia and has been active in church all her life. She was married to Rev. Jesse Smallwood who was called into the ministry after they were married. They attended college together both working on ministry related areas. Both attended Midwestern Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri which was a big eye opening experience. He passed away in 2015 and Paulette moved back to Punta Gorda, Florida to be near her daughter and granddaughter. Her son decided to move here with her to “take care of Momma”. She enjoys singing, reading and the Georgia Bulldogs. Her one great passion is telling people how God has been there for her through all things, good and bad.
Barbara Hall Garcia - Food Service Director
Barbara is a native Floridian born in Miami. She moved to Desoto County area in 1977. Married to Mike Garcia they have two sons, one daughter in law and two grandchildren. She has been a member with the church for 14 years. Barbara does most of the COOKING for the church and volunteers in many different areas. She is part of the Quilting Club, Ladies Ministry and Awana. She enjoys hunting, quilting, reading and road trips.
Barbara is a native Floridian born in Miami. She moved to Desoto County area in 1977. Married to Mike Garcia they have two sons, one daughter in law and two grandchildren. She has been a member with the church for 14 years. Barbara does most of the COOKING for the church and volunteers in many different areas. She is part of the Quilting Club, Ladies Ministry and Awana. She enjoys hunting, quilting, reading and road trips.