Tony Buchanan

Lead Pastor

I grew up in Ringgold, Georgia. It was there that I began my relationship with Jesus Christ. At the age of 16, I recognized that I was a sinner in need of salvation, asked Jesus Christ to forgive me, and committed to serve Him for the rest of my life.   I attended college for a couple of years and joined the United States Air Force in 1984 and served until 1999. While assigned to Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, I met the love of my life, Edie, and we were married in March 1987. We loved Air Force life and believed God was using us where we were, but God's call on my life was so strong that I could no longer ignore Him. On October 31, 1996 I surrendered my life to preach the gospel.

My desire in ministry is to lead our church to fulfill the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20) through evangelism, disciple-making, and worldwide missions.  We must make disciples of our neighbors and the nations.  Also, I love preaching and pastoring.

I have two children.  My daughter’s name is Kristen Young and she is married to Jeremiah Young.  My son’s name is Josh Buchanan.  I have served two churches prior to First Baptist Lavaca: Carroll Memorial Baptist Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and East Rogersville Baptist Church in Rogersville, Tennessee. My hobbies include fishing, hunting, and golfing.  I graduated from Campbell University and Liberty Baptist Seminary.

Kenny Bailey

Executive Pastor

Josh Teague

Worship Pastor

Josh joined the First Baptist Lavaca staff in November 2010. He is from Dover, Arkansas where he grew up developing a love for music in the church. He attended college at Arkansas Tech University where he received his Bachelor’s in Computer Science. He has also received his Master's degree in Business Administration and is now pursuing a second Master's degree in Biblical Studies from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He was voted as one of the top 6 emerging vocal artists in the nation at the 2003 National Christian Artist Talent Search held in Nashville, TN. Josh is married to Jennifer who is member of the First Baptist Lavaca Praise Team and they have two children: Tyler and Kylie Jo.

Stuart Smithson

Kids Pastor

Paige Niblett

Director of Preschool Ministries

Paige accepted Christ as a young child, and was called to ministry in high school. She obtained her B.A. from John Brown University in Intercultural Studies and Children's Ministry and her Master of Arts in Women's Ministry and Childhood Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX.  She is married to her husband and ministry partner, Chris. God has blessed them with two children, Micah Kate and Tate Josiah.  Chris and Paige also lead several of our church mission trips each year and are involved in the Hellfighter motorcycle ministry in our area.

Paige feels called specifically to reaching women and children with the Gospel and helping them develop in their faith, both here locally and in other parts of the world.

Norma Green

Financial Administrator

Norma is in her 29th year of serving at First Baptist Lavaca.  She has been a member of First Baptist Lavaca since she was 11 years old and now attends with her husband, Roger. Her daughter, Meleia, and her husband, Roy, along with their two daughters attend and serve at First Baptist Lavaca. Norma's son, Stephen, also call First Baptist Lavaca home.

Through the years she has held many positions within the church.  Presently, Norma's roles consist of keeping track of all income, paying bills, doing payroll, tax reports, financial statements, balancing the checkbook, contribution records, etc. Anything that deals with the money, this would be Norma's department.  She counts it an honor to be a part of the team here.

Jan Ballance

Pastor's Assistant and Receptionist

Jan has served at First Baptist Lavaca for 14 years.  She serves as the Pastor's assistant and receptionist.  She enjoys helping people and is honored to call First Baptist Lavaca her church home. She is married to Pete, and they have three children and two grandchildren.

DeeAnna Masterson

Music and Media Assistant

DeeAnna assists the worship pastor and music and media ministries. She has served at First Baptist Lavaca for 10 years. She is married to Rusty and they have two children and three grandsons and one granddaughter.

Dawayne Stamper

Music Associate

Dawayne has served as Music Associate at First Lavaca since July 1999. He is a graduate of UA Fort Smith, where he studied Business Administration and Piano Performance. As a member of First Lavaca’s staff, Dawayne oversees the Children’s Worship Arts ministries, arranges and produces audio tracks and sheet music, and provides piano accompaniment for all worship services and rehearsals. His piano solo project, titled “Foundation,” has sold copies internationally.

Dawayne married his wife Erin in August 2006. In May 2011, they adopted two children, Nathan and Alicia. In his spare time, Dawayne enjoys playing piano for the Greenwood Junior High School choirs, and presenting gospel concerts with First Baptist Atlanta’s resident artist Daniel Crews.

Jack and Frue Tate

Facilities Care and Maintainance

Jack and Frue Tate have been in facilities care and maintenance since 1990. Jack is also employed at Riverside Furniture Corp., being in various positions for the past thirty five years. Frue grew up in Lavaca and Jack in Oklahoma, graduating with a BA degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. They both teach in Children's Sunday School and enjoy working in VBS and going on numerous mission trips each year. They have been married thirty years and are blessed to have one daughter and son-in law, Paige and Chris Niblett, and one GRANDchild, Micah Kate.

Marti Green

Facilities Care and Maintenance 

Chase Carter

Sunday Morning Production Manager