Meet Our Staff

	Dr. Paul Powell Interim Pastor 903.595.1021 x118 Dr. Paul Powell is the Dean Emeritus of the George W. Truett Seminary in Waco. He served as the president of the Robert M. Rogers Foundation of Tyler and retired in 1998 as president and CEO of the Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. He is a former regent chairman of Baylor University. In addition, Dr. Powell has served as pastor at five Texas Baptist churches including Belfalls, Troy, Taylor, San Marcos and Tyler, where he served for 17 years as pastor of Green Acres Baptist Church. He has also served six churches as interim pastor including First Baptist Church Tyler, Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas and Travis Avenue Baptist Church, Ft. Worth. A much sought-after speaker, he continues to preach regularly at churches throughout Texas. Dr. Powell earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor in 1956, as well as a degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and was chosen as outstanding alumnus of both schools. He holds five honorary doctors degrees from East Texas Baptist University, Baylor, the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor, Campbell University and Dallas Baptist University and is the author of 43 books. Dr. Powell and his wife, Cathy, have been married 54 years and have three children and three grandchildren.

	Robert Bardin Associate Pastor / Education 903.839.5333 fbcrobert@tyler.net Robert first came to First Baptist Tyler as Minister of Students in 1997 before becoming Associate Pastor in 2005. Robert is from Farmers Branch, Texas, and became a follower of Christ while attending North Dallas Baptist Church. Robert received his call to full time Christian service while a senior in high school. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1986 and a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1990. Robert has previously served on staff at Valwood Park Baptist Church, Dallas, as Youth Minister for five years and as the Student Minister at First Baptist Church, Sweetwater, Texas, for six years. He also served four years as a Summer Missionary for the Dallas Baptist Association while in college. Robert is married to the former Barbara Laurence, who also received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oklahoma Baptist University and a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Barbara is employed by the UT Tyler and has her own graphic design business. She has been active in student ministry for twenty years.
	Billy Bob Dempsey Minister of Music 903.595.1021 x123 fbcbb@tyler.net Billy Bob Dempsey is a native of Fort Smith, Arkansas and graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Music Education. Rev. Dempsey received the Master of Music degree in 1989 from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, with an emphasis in music ministry. He has served churches in a part-time or full-time capacity since 1978, including churches in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado and Mississippi. Rev. Dempsey has been active in groups such as The Singing Men of Texas, The Colorado Singing Men, and The Mississippi Singing Churchmen, and has served in various positions of leadership within these groups. In addition to his vocal involvement, he continues to play trombone professionally in the Tyler area. He is married to Cynthia Ralston of St. Petersburg, Florida. Cindy graduated from Stetson University with a degree in Church Music and Performance. Besides being a wife and mother, Cindy is an elementary music teacher in the Tyler Independent School District. She also teaches private piano and voice and has worked in the area of children’s music ministry for over 20 years, currently coordinating our Worship University program as well as singing in our Sanctuary Choir and Voice of Praise Ensemble.
	Pat Mallory Minister of Ministries and Missions 903.595.1021 x159 fbcpat@tyler.net Patricia is a native Texan and was ordained into the Ministry by First Baptist Church in July 1999. She has been active in several Texas churches in the areas of Women’s Ministry, Singles Adult Ministries, Bible Study, Music, Missions and Motivational Speaking. Patricia serves on committees for the Smith Baptist Association and the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Patricia is active in community mission endeavors and is a Board Emeritus for Bethesda Health Clinic.
	Carol Ann Adams Children's Coordinator - South Campus 903.839-5333 calann@suddenlink.net Carol Ann is an experienced early childhood professional who managed a child care program with over 325 children and 50 staff members from 1974-1994. She has led State and local conferences, written curriculum for Lifeway and WMU's Misson Friends. She taught four years in the Child Development department at Tyler Junior College and has taught in public schools, Sunday school classes of all ages, led children's choirs and women's Bible studies. Carol Ann is a graduate of Sam Houston State University and holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She has been married to her husband, Gary, for more than 40 years and they have two adult children, Rob (Allison) an engineer in Southlake, TX and Krista (Chad) Wallace, missionaries to the Dominican Republic. They have five wonderful grandchildren that she claims are the best in the land.

	Lisa Roberts Hand-in-Hand Preschool / Parent's Day Out Director 903.839-5333 fbclisar@tyler.net Lisa earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree in 1986 and a Master of Education in 1988 from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Lisa taught third grade for five years in Killeen, Texas before moving to Tyler in 1992. In Tyler, Lisa substitute taught for two years before becoming the Hand-in-Hand Director at First Baptist Church in 1994. She is married to Paul, who is a Professor of Human Resource and Development at the University of Texas at Tyler. Lisa and Paul have three sons.
	Huey Harpe Music Associate / Church Organist 903.595.1021 x153 fbchuey@tyler.net Huey grew up in Pelahatchie, Mississippi. He attended Clarke College and Mississippi College where he received a Bachelor of Church Music in Organ. While at Clarke College he served as organist for the Concert Choir as well as organist of the Pelahatchie Baptist Church. While attending Mississippi College he served as organist of the Woodville Heights Baptist Church in Jackson, MS. Upon graduating from Mississippi College he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While at the seminary he was accompanist for the Men’s Chorus and served as organist for the Valwood Park and Urban Park Baptist Churches. After seminary he served Urban Park as Minister of Music from 1973-77. In 1978, he became Organist/Music Associate of First Baptist, Sherman, leaving that position in 1981 to become the Organist/Music Associate of First Baptist Tyler. On July 1, 2006, Huey celebrated his 25th anniversary at First Baptist. Along with his church duties he serves as the organist of the Singing Men of East Texas. Huey enjoys boating, traveling, and playing the organ.
	Scott Richardson Recreation Director 903.595.1021 x121 fbcscottr@tyler.net Not only is Scott from Tyler, but First Baptist Tyler is his home church. He graduated from the University of Texas in Tyler in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in History. First Baptist licensed Scott to the ministry in May of 1999. He loves to play sports, fish, and watch his children participate in their games. Scott's wife, Michelle, is a music teacher and is active in the student and music ministries.

	Rick Deason Facilities Manager 903.595.1021 x147 fbcrick@tyler.net Rick was born in Kansas City, Missouri, but grew up in Dallas, Houston, and Richardson, Texas. After attending the University of North Texas, he was a Store Director for Page Drugs and Tom Thumb Food Stores for fourteen years. Rick then worked in industrial chemical sales for Kernite (NCH Corporation) for eight years before coming to First Baptist in 1992. His wife Sharon is a CPA and Executive Director of Finance for Chapel Hill Independent School District.