leadership
First Baptist Powell is An Elder-Led Church
While there are many forms of church governments, we believe that an elder-led model is the most biblically faithful. It allows elders to fulfill their duties as Scripture describes, and preserves the roles and responsibilities of every member within the context of the priesthood of all believers.
Elders
PERRY GARRETT
SENIOR PASTOR | Elder
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
Associate Pastor of Disciple-Making | Elder
Tim joined First Baptist Powell in 2006. He is married to Carla and they have two adult daughters, Hannah and Micah, and four grandchildren.
Rick Bertou
Associate Pastor of Administration | Elder
Rick moved from Pennsylvania to Tennessee in 2008. After 34 years in business, Rick became part of our full-time pastoral staff responsible for leading our Finances and Administration. Rick and his wife Cindy have five adult children.
BRETT GIBSON
Associate Pastor of Worship & Liturgy | Elder
Brett joined First Baptist Powell in 2019. He is married to DeAnna and they have three sons: Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Micah. He and DeAnna also served as missionaries with the International Mission Board in Southeast Asia from 2007-2010.
Darin mercer
Director of Assimilation | Elder
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.
andrew chitwood
Elder
Andrew Chitwood is married to Dominique, and they have four children: Canaan, River, Jonah Faith, and Thatcher. He also serves as the Middle School Principal at First Baptist Academy.
steven mcghee
Elder
Steven and his wife Amber joined First Baptist Powell in 2007. Steven leads an adult Sunday School class and is involved with various family ministries as well as activities with First Baptist Academy. Steven and Amber have two children: Zachary and Luke.
clayton gilley
Elder
Clayton and his wife Pat became members at First Baptist Powell in 2005 and are active in Sunday School and the Worship Ministry in the orchestra and choir. Clayton and Pat have two sons and five grandchildren.
Danny amanns
Elder
Danny is a lifelong resident of the Powell community. He was saved and baptized while attending First Baptist Powell in 1972. Danny and his wife Sallie have three daughters and three grandchildren.
Alan grissom
Elder
Alan came to First Baptist Powell in 2005 as a college student interested in serving in short-term missions. Since then, he has served in a variety of ministries, including Sunday School and worship ministry. He and his wife Alys have two daughters, Genevieve and Rosemary.
jim mclean
Elder
Jim McLean was saved and baptized as a pre-teen. One of Jim’s favorite books of the Bible is Hebrews, and he describes being an Elder as very humbling. Jim and his wife Lin have two adult sons.
Ministry Directors
HUNTER LONG
Assistant PASTOR of students
Hunter graduated from Johnson University in 2019 with a degree in Preaching and Youth Ministry. He is currently pursuing his Masters of Divinity at 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 one child, Amelia.
Eric Sams
Assistant 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. He also serves as a Bible Teacher at First Baptist Academy.
Adam Holland
Assistant Pastor of Disciple-Making
Adam is the former Senior Pastor of Hope Church, which was adopted by First Baptist Powell in 2021. He has also served the Academy ministry for many years. Him and his wife Katelyn have three children: Emma Kate, Isaiah, and Scarlett.
Cory Plowman
Assistant Pastor of Worship & Liturgy
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 are expecting their first child.
Support Staff
Alys Grissom
Disciple-Making Director For Women | Assistant to Senior Pastor
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 has her Master’s in Elementary Education from LSU and has worked as a classroom teacher, Mother’s Day Out teacher, Sunday School teacher, and homeschooling mom. She and her husband Craig 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.
Samantha Hicks
Human Resources Director | Office Manager
Samantha has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee. She has been a member of FBP since 2016, and she and her husband Joseph have one daughter, Hannah. Samantha is passionate about missions and serving the local church, and she is grateful for the ways the Lord is allowing her to do so.
Savannah Frost
Communications Director
Savannah has a Bachelor of Science in Communication Arts and a Master of Arts in Christian Studies, both from the University of the Cumberlands. She is passionate about the many ways communication and media can be used in ministry.
Angie Amanns
Financial Specialist
Angie moved from Georgia to Tennessee in 2003, and she quickly joined the church and became a full time staff member at First Baptist Powell. She has worked in a variety of roles over the past 19 years and also serves with benevolence, using her spiritual gift of mercy. She and her husband Tim have three adult children: Hunter, Rachel, and Ruby.
Zane Fair
Facilities Manager
Trish Masters
Front Office Receptionist
Trish holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Georgia, as well as a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has served in many ministry roles through the years, including a Minister Of Youth and Education and a missionary with the IMB. She and her husband Mike have two adult children: Anna and Kenan.
Bryan Elder
Maintenance Technician
Crystal Vogt
Custodian
Crystal is a native from Claiborne County and has lived in the Powell community for 17 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.
Pat Orr
Member Support Specialist
Tanna Garrett
Administrative Assistant
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.
Sara Watson
Director of Media
Sara joined First Baptist Powell in September of 2022. She holds a Master of Arts in Music Technology and teaches audio and video classes at Pellissippi State in her spare time. She loves helping students learn about audio visual technologies and strives to serve Christ in all that she does.
Jody Everhart
Custodian
Heather Gresham
Custodian
First Baptist Academy
The largest ministry of First Baptist Powell is First Baptist Academy, our Pre-K-12th grade private Christian school. Our staff members work daily to equip students to impact the world for Christ!