Our pastor, DR. NELSON GRANADE, JR., leads the ministries of First Baptist Church through preaching, pastoral care, and church administration. His ministry with First Baptist Church began in October 1994.He earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary, Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Bachelor of Science from Auburn University.

A resident of Wilkes Countysince 1994, Nelson gives back to the community by serving Wilkes Vision 20/20, serving on the Pastoral Care & Counseling Center Board, and serving on the Board and Executive Committee of the Chamber of Commerce.

Other community involvement includes: United Way (Campaign Chair, Community Needs Assessment Chair, Fund Distribution Vice-Chair, and Funding Panel Member), Wilkes Ministerial Association President, Samaritan Ministry of Wilkes Advisory Board, Cross Cultural Coalition of Wilkes, Dental Needs Coalition, and Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.

Nelson is the author of Lending Your Leadership: How Pastors are Redefining Their Role in Community Life, which was published in 2006.

Email: nelsonfbc@gmail.com

LARISA LEAPLEY coordinates the Music Ministry of First Baptist Church. Having served since August 1993, she leads in ministry through Preschool Choir,Children's Choirs, Adult Choir, Handbell Choir, and Adult Ensemble. Larisa earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Mars Hill University.

Email:leapleyl@embarqmail.com

STELLA PERRIN serves as the Minister of Spiritual Formation/Children and Families at First Baptist Church. She is a graduate of Gardner-Webb University earning a B.S. in Psychology, an M.A. in school Counseling, and a Master of Divinity. A native of Alexander County North Carolina, she and her husband John have three children: Luke, Abigail, and Tess.

Email:  stellafbc@gmail.com

Andrew Holland serves as the Director of Youth at First Baptist. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Southwestern College in Winfield Kansas in November of 2011 and began his ministry with the youth of our congregation in March 2012 after retiring from a career of 22 years in the U.S. Army.

While in the Army, he served in positions within the U.S. Army Intelligence Community and with the U.S. Army Recruiting Command and left the Army as a Master Sergeant.

He is a native of Wilkes who serves as a member of the Wilkes Prison Ministry Board, is a coach for the Wilkes Amateur Athletic Union Wrestling Club, and is also employed as an Employment Consultant with the NC Division of Workforce Solutions in Wilkesboro.

He and his wife Kimberly have five children: Anthony, Anna Marie, Alex, Matt, and Tyler.

Email: andrewhollandfbc@gmail.com