Staff & Leadership

INTERIM PASTOR

Rev. Bill Daniels
A native of Morristown, Tennessee, Bill joined the U.S. Army after high school graduation. While attending U.S. Army Chaplain’s School, he married Cathy Martin. She is a person of inner strength and has a pure heart. She gave birth to their wonderful daughter, Stephanie, in 1972. The intertwining of their lives has helped shaped him as a pastor as much as anything.
 
Bill enrolled in Carson-Newman College after military service and graduated in 1975 with a major in religion. Afterwards, he attended The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he graduated in 1979 with a Master’s of Divinity Degree. He pastored churches while in college and seminary and returned to Knoxville where he became Hollywood Hills Baptist Church’s pastor.
 
The first time First Baptist Church of Middlesboro called him as pastor was in 1984. He served almost 9 years in Middlesboro before returning to Knoxville to pastor Ball Camp Baptist Church. Retiring from that church in 2018 has allowed him to enjoy being a better husband, father and grandfather to twin granddaughters.
 
Rev. Daniel has led a life well lived in service to the God of love, justice and compassion. We look forward to sharing our spiritual journey with Bill as a man, husband, father, grandfather and pastor in hopes of inspiring and motivating you to “serve on” with us.

MINISTER OF MUSIC

Suzanne Lee

APPALACHIAN IMMERSION ADMINISTRATOR

Marah L. Slusher
Marah Slusher serves as the Appalachian Immersion Administrator for FBC Middlesboro, and this is her first year in this role. She also serves on the Children’s Committee. She has been a member of FBC for 2.5 years. She is a native of Williamsburg, Kentucky, and moved to Middlesboro in 2021 when she married her husband, Ben.
 
Marah and her husband live in Middlesboro with their son, Barrett, and their dog, Tux.
 
She received her Bachelor of Science in Public Health and her Bachelor of Science in Health, Education, and Sports Science in 2019 from the University of the Cumberlands. She later graduated with her Master of Public Health in 2021 from Liberty University.
 
Marah chose to pursue public health not only to help others but also to use her education as a resource to inform and support those around her. She strongly believes education is important and can be a powerful tool for positive change.
 
In her role as App Imm Administrator, she hopes to help challenge and remove the stigma often associated with Appalachia. Being born and raised in the region, she has also had the opportunity to travel both across the United States and abroad, which has given her a perspective on how Appalachia is often perceived by those outside of southeastern Kentucky. She wants to help change that narrative and highlight the strength, value, and dignity of the community. She believes one of the most effective ways to change perceptions of Appalachia is to invite others into the region to experience and learn what it truly means to be Appalachian.
 
In her spare time, Marah enjoys reading, watching Friends, listening to the Crime Junkie podcast, playing Fortnite on occasion, spending time with friends, eating Taco Bell, and being entertained by her toddler, as she is blessed to be able to be a stay-at-home mom with him. 
 
She cannot wait to serve alongside you! 

FACILITIES MANAGER

Bill Hunter

Bill joined the staff of First Baptist Church as Facilities Manager in 1994. Prior to that, he worked in a local automotive body shop.

Bill is a native of Middlesboro, attended Middlesboro High School, and later while working, enrolled in evening courses and earned a GED through the Middlesboro School System under the instruction of church member Freeman Thompson.

Bill’s interests include fishing for bass and catfish, playing horseshoes, and traveling.

Bill and Anita were married in 1982, and they have two grown children and four grandkids.

You can contact Bill by calling the Church Office at 606-248-2637.

MEDIA COORDINATOR

Phil Akers

Phil joined the staff of First Baptist Church in 1979 as Media Coordinator. Phil is responsible for audio and video in worship, as well as the broadcast of services over local cable and the internet.

Phil works as Construction Coordinator with Spectrum, where he has worked in various capacities for over 40 years. Prior to that, Phil worked as night manager at Clancy’s hamburger restaurant, and at the old Middlesboro Tannery.

A graduate of Bell County High School, Phil took a number of courses through Eastern Kentucky University to further his education.

Phil’s interests include photography, outdoor activities, and time spent at Norris Lake and at any seaside beach available.

Phil has two sons, Dustin and Clay.

You can contact Phil by calling the Church Office at 606-248-2637.

PIANIST

Barbara Cochran

Barbara is no stranger to music. Recently, she has graciously shared her talents with FBC via the piano. In addition, Barbara rings handbells, sings in the choir, and leads the Wednesday “Claiming Your Calm” class

ORGANIST

Janet Matthews
Janet grew up in Middlesboro with music as her main interest. In her school years, she enjoyed school games, sports, travel, and music contests. She did singing programs for various schools. She enjoyed the schools, but, mainly, working with the youth groups at First Baptist Church.

Janet is a graduate of Georgetown College and has helped with musical programs for Lincoln Memorial University. She taught for many years in the Middlesboro school system and, also, gave piano and organ lessons. In addition, she has worked for H and R Block for 36 years.

Janet joined the staff of First Baptist Church as organist in 1980-81. Before this time she directed the youth and adult choirs.

Janet enjoys her family, friends, and her church. She misses her husband, Herman, most of all. He was church pianist for many years and played duets with her for church services. He left to serve God in Heaven in 2008. She has 7 children, 31 grandchildren, and 30 great-grandchildren. She loves her family and her church!

PASTOR EMERITUS

John E. Pennington Jr.

CHAIRPERSON OF DEACONS

Virginia Giles

Virginia Giles lives in Harrogate, Tennessee, and grew up in Middlesboro, Kentucky. She retired from Bell South after a 26-year career, beginning as a telephone operator and later serving as a line person.

She has been a member of FBC for 17 years and is actively involved in church leadership. She serves as Chair of Deacons and Facilities Chair, and also participates in several other committees within the church.

VICE CHAIRPERSON OF DEACONS

Joel Goodin

Bio coming soon.

CHURCH MODERATOR

Bill Johnson

VISITING ORGANIST

Michael Bayless

BIO COMING SOON

Current Active Deacons

Sarah Ausmus
Kevin Barnett
Robert Edinger
Trish Edinger

Virginia Giles
Joel Goodin
Gloria Jones
Ruby Kaw

Bridgette Myers
Ann Shumate
Denise Shumate
Trent Walters