perry garrett
Senior Pastor
Perry accepted the position as the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Powell in 2020 after a unanimous vote from our congregation. He is married to Tanna, and they have three children: Madeline, Titus, and Micah.
Tim mcghee
Pastor of Disciple-Making
Tim joined First Baptist Powell in 2006. He is married to Carla and they have two adult daughters, Hannah and Micah, and four grandchildren: Clay Bruner, Noah Ruth Vickery, Hayes Scott Vickery, and Deacon James Vickery.
Kevin Smith
Pastor of Outreach
Kevin joined First Baptist Church in August 2025. He is married to Shelley, and they have two children: Hudson, and McClain.
Eric Sams
Pastor of the Academy
Eric has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee as well as a Masters of Divinity in Christian Ministry and a Masters of Theology in Church History from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Eric is married to Carrie and has three sons: Joshua, Lucas, and Jon David.
darin mercer
Pastor of Assimiliation
Darin joined First Baptist Powell in 2003 after graduating from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He also serves as the Athletic Director for First Baptist Academy. Darin and his wife Katie have four children: Cooper, Avery, Ashlyn, and Alia.
Hunter Long
Assistant Pastor of Students
Hunter graduated from Johnson University in 2019 with a bacheolor’s degree in Preaching and Youth Ministry and, in 2025, he earned his Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He joined the full-time staff at First Baptist Powell in the Spring of 2019. Hunter is married to Leah and they have two children, Amelia and Charlotte.
cory plowman
Director of Worship Operations
Cory graduated from Lincoln Memorial University with a degree in Criminal Justice. Shortly after, he was led into full-time ministry and has been working with our Student Ministry since 2014. He is married to Michaela, and they have one child, Olivia.
Alys grissom
Disciple-Making Director for Women
Alys has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications – Public Relations from the University of Tennessee at Martin. She has been a member of First Baptist Powell since 2009. Alys is married to Alan and has two daughters, Evie Grace and Rosemary, both of whom are students at First Baptist Academy.
Brandie satterfield
Children's Ministry Director
Brandie earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Louisiana State University in Elementary Education. She joined the staff at First Baptist Powell in Spring of 2019. She is married to Craig, and they have three children: Selah, Silas, and Samuel.
Misty Caulineau
Preschool Ministry Director
Misty has over 20 years of experience working with preschool children and families and has been serving in different roles within our children’s and preschool ministries for several years. She is married to A.J. and has one daughter, Emily. She also works as a Pre-K teacher at First Baptist Academy.
Benjamin birdsong
Director of Worship Arts
Benjamin Birdsong was born in just outside of Seattle, Washington into a large family. In 1995, his brothers and sisters, along with his father and mother, began playing music at various music festivals, local church events, and retirement communities in the Northwest. In 1998, the group began touring nationally, playing styles as diverse as Bluegrass, Southern Gospel, and Christian Rock. The group moved to East Tennessee in 2000 because of regular appearances at Dollywood and the convenient convergence of I-40 and I-75. After decades of recording, touring and spreading the Gospel, the group retired, leaving Benjamin the opportunity to share what God and others had taught him with the Knoxville community. Benjamin and his wife, Heidi, began attending FBP in July of 2023, quickly finding the preaching and community to be exactly what they needed. The door of opportunity to use their gifts opened in May 2024 and they joined the FBP and FBA team. Benjamin assists the FBP and FBA family with leading worship, photography, videography, audio and visual needs, co-teaching the Worship Arts class at FBA and helping with various retreats, events, plays, concerts, and special services.
Heidi Birdsong
Director of Media Ministries
Heidi Birdsong is originally from the East side of Baltimore, Maryland, but she got here as soon as she could. The wife of our Director of Worship Arts, she earned a degree in English Literature from Towson University before God called her into full time ministry, touring as manager, lighting designer, audio technician, booking agent, social media manager, and road manager for the Christian music group, The Birdsongs. As a survivor advocate of Child Trafficking, she’s been invited to speak at many Woman’s prisons, conferences, and events with organizations such as Prison Fellowship and Street Hope Tennessee. She serves FBP and FBA as a photographer, videographer, graphic design artist, lighting designer, audio technician, social media director, communications liaison, co-teacher of FBA Worship Arts class, and assistant to the Director of Worship Arts.
Anthony Cox
Pastoral Resident
Anthony has a bachelors degree in music business and has been a member at First Baptist Powell since 2025. He currently serves as the choir director, assisting the liturgy team and pastoral staff.
Deanna Gibson
Administrative Assistant to the Senior Pastor
DeAnna has been a member of FBP since 2020. She has served in a variety of ministries over the past 25 years. She has three sons: Isaiah, Zeke, and Micah.
Janice ramsey
Administrative Assistant for Disciple-Making
Janice has a Master of Science in Speech Pathology and Special Education from the University of Tennessee and teaches classes at Pellissippi State part-time. She and her husband Chuck have been members of First Baptist Powell since 1993. They have two adult children, Lauren and Chase, and two granddaughters.
Angie Amanns
Financial Specialist
Angie has been on staff at First Baptist Powell since 2003. She has worked in
a variety of roles since joining our staff and now serves faithfully in her roles of
Finance Specialist and Wedding Coordinator. She also serves as Coordinator
for our Benevolent Care Ministry. She and her husband Tim have three adult
children, Hunter, Rachel, and Ruby and one granddaughter, Farrah.
a variety of roles since joining our staff and now serves faithfully in her roles of
Finance Specialist and Wedding Coordinator. She also serves as Coordinator
for our Benevolent Care Ministry. She and her husband Tim have three adult
children, Hunter, Rachel, and Ruby and one granddaughter, Farrah.
Linda Hunley
Financial Specialist
Linda is a lifelong resident of Knoxville who joined FBP in June 2023. She serves in the church office, where she primarily supports the academy by managing tuition contracts as well as handling accounts receivable and accounts payable. Linda holds a degree in Management from Tusculum University. She is a proud mother of three adult children and a devoted grandmother to eight grandchildren. She feels especially blessed to have two of her grandchildren living with her and attending the academy. In her free time, Linda enjoys making memories with her family, especially through beach trips and camping adventures.
Eric Glasscock
IT Systems Technician
Eric was a Youth Pastor for 10 years, and he graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science in Religion. He has been doing IT work for 6 years and holds a Certificate from Google IT Support. He and his wife Fran moved to Knoxville in 2023 and have 5 children who attend FBA.
Zane Fair
Facilities Manager
Bryan Elder
Maintenance Technician
Crystal Vogt
Custodian
Crystal is a native from Claiborne County and has lived in the Powell community for many years. Her son, Landon, has attended FBA for many years. She loves being at First Baptist Powell and enjoys serving for a church that is focused on the Lord’s work.