Marty Carnes
Pastor
Marty Carnes has served as our Pastor since November 1, 2023. Before then, he served as our Interim Pastor. Marty is a gifted communicator of God’s Word and leader who guiding to follow the Lord in the present and into the future. Marty is an effective planner as he strategically leads our ministry team to make disciples who make more disciples, or Christ-followers. Marty and his wife Cindy came to LaGrange from Cleaveland, Georgia, where he formerly served Truett-McConnell University as Vice President for Advancement/Chief Strategy Officer.
Tom Farr
Administrative Pastor
Tom wears many hats on our church staff, from leading in our Christian Bible education ministries and Discipleship to the day-to-day church operations. A graduate of the University of Georgia and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he loves serving the Lord and encouraging others to be the person God has created them to be.
Tom is married to Teresa, and they have three grown sons, and five grandchildren. When he is away from the office, he enjoys bicycling, genealogy, photography, and music.
Among his favorite Bible verses are:
John 1:12 – But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
Anthony Criswell
Worship & Music Pastor
Anthony’s favorite part of his job is helping all generations Worship God. He has been at FBC for 28 years and served in ministry for 38 years. He’s married to Rebecca, and they have two daughters, Libby and Milly, who are both students at Samford University. Outside of work, he enjoys travel, art and cooking! His favorite verse is:
Philippians 1:6 -“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Paul Knight
Family Pastor
Paul has two favorite parts of his job. 1: seeing people surrender their life to Jesus Christ. 2: Getting to help people be there for one another as Jesus commanded and the Apostles echoed. (John 13:34; 15:12, 17; Romans 12:10; 1 John 4:11; 1 Peter 3:8) He has been at FBC for nine months and served in ministry for 16 years. He is married to Gail and they have two daughters, Blythe and Eloise. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, football, and hanging out with his family. His favorite verse:
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 – “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Matthew goodman
Student Pastor
Paul Blair
Pastoral Care Minister
Paul served our church for many years as Minister of Music. After he retired in 2017, he later returned to serve as part-time Pastoral Care Minister. Paul helps with hospital visits and pastoral ministry.
John Kim
Korean Mission Church Pastor
Visiting and fellowship are John’s favorite part of his job. He has been at FBC for 11 months and has served in ministry for 20 years. He is married to Michelle Ahn. They have a son, Eugene Kin, and a daughter, Eunice Kim. Outside of work he enjoys playing soccer. His favorite verse:
Philippians 4: 6&7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Madison Hacker
Communications Director
Rebecca Criswell
Music Ministry Assistant, Organist Music and Worship
People are Rebecca’s favorite part of her job. She loves serving alongside all ages of people from children to senior adults. Over the years she has served in various ministry capacities. She has been in her current role for a little over a year and has been a member of FBC for 26 years. She has been married to Anthony for almost 25 years and they have 2 daughters – Libby and Milly. Outside of work she loves word searches, sudoku, travel, and spending time with family. Her favorite verse:
2 Corinthians 4:17-18: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Jillian Goodman
Administrative Assistant/Receptionist
Jillian’s favorite part of her job is getting to know people and helping them in any way she can. She has been at FBC for eight months and served in ministry for two years. She is married to Matthew Goodman. They will celebrate their third year of marriage in February! Outside of work she loves wood burning, doing anything crafty, and cheering on the New York Yankees and the Georgia Bulldogs. Her favorite verse is:
1 Timothy 4:12 – “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
Carol Bradfield
Discipleship Associate
Carol loves to help others know God more through the study of His Word and helping individuals connect and take the next step in their spiritual journey. Carol and her husband, Jim, joined the First Baptist family in January 1998. Carol has served in various capacities of ministry since she was 16. She and Jim have two sons, Joshua and Jacob. Outside of work she enjoys camping and fishing with her family and reading a good book with a hot cup of tea! Her favorite verse:
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Diana Thomas
Ministry Support Staff
Amy Linskey
Ministry Support Staff
Amy’s favorite part of her job is interacting with Church members when they come in. She feels like this is a small way she is serving the church, by helping in the office. She has been at FBC since the Fall of 2016 and has been on staff for 8 months. She has been a teacher since 1999. She is married to her husband, John Linskey. Outside of work she loves to read and travel. Her favorite verse:
James 1: 5-6 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
James Dempsey
Food Services Manager
Wiley DEal
Facilities Manager
Wiley is big UGA fan. He is married to Summer Parmer Deal, an Auburn grad. They have two children: Lilly Grace and Lennox. He loves the outdoors and enjoys golf and hunting.
Brittany Comerford
Director of Child Development Center
Margaret Williams
Director of Weekday Preschool
Margaret’s favorite part of her job is watching children grow and learn about Jesus. She has been a member for 31 years and has been on staff for 10 years.
Angela Seymour
Assistant of Weekday Preschool Director