OUR STAFF
Dr. Scott Markley |
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Dr. Markley began serving the Lord as a teen in helping in the children’s ministry at his local church in New Jersey. He also spent a few years serving with Young Life while attending Eastern University in Philadelphia. Scott served as Youth Pastor for a local church in Ft. Worth, TX. He attended Southwestern Seminary where he met his future bride, Tina, and they wed in 1988. The pair moved to Philadelphia in 1989 where they began ministry as church planters and Scott continued his education at Temple University. In 1994, they were led to First Baptist Church – Durham, NC to take the position as Minister of College/Career and served the local communities including the campuses of Duke University and the University of North Carolina. His latter years at FBC Durham consisted of expanding his responsibilities as Associate Pastor administrating and providing leadership to many areas of ministry in the life of that active local church. Now he has been called of God to serve Christ’s church in a new role, namely that of senior pastor. Scott believes again God has providentially led him, Tina and their three sons – Caleb, Luke and Daniel to this wonderful field of service at First Baptist Church – Lake Wales, FL. Scott began serving the Lord as Senior Pastor in June of 2007. He is prayerfully and eagerly expecting by faith mighty things of God as he loves, serves and proclaims God’s Word to the people of FBCLW and beyond. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 is a verse that guides the ministry of Scott and Tina:
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Rev. Barry Hooten |
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Before answering God's call to ministry, Barry was a General Contractor in north Alabama. He graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in May of 1995 and came to First Baptist Church of Lake Wales in August of that year. Barry's responsibilities include the educational and discipleship ministries of the church, in addition to church administration and facilities management. Barry and his wife, Lynn, are both natives of Cullman, Alabama, and are the parents of four children. Isaiah 40: 31 is the verse which Barry claims for the trying times of his life.
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Rev.
Charles Little |
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Charles was called to the Music Ministry in November of 1975, while still a high school student. In 1981, he met and later married his wife, Tammy, and they have served as a ministry team in part-time and full-time ministries throughout the southeast. Charles received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Vocal Performance from The University of Mobile in 1981 and his Masters of Church Music degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1989. His goals in ministry have always been to: 1) seek God's direction, 2) lead and equip the body for worship and ministry, and 3) provide quality opportunities for a diverse people to use varied styles and forms of music, drama and other ministry aids to encounter God on a weekly basis. Charles and Tammy are the parents of three daughters - Emily, Heidi and Rebekah. Ephesians 5:19 & 20 is a favorite verse for Charles because he says it speaks to the need for today’s church to be culturally relevant to all ages and diversities of people who gather to encounter God:
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Rev.
Matt Simpson |
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Before surrendering to the ministry, Matt was pursuing a business career in the insurance industry. He was following his college degree of business and his heart’s desire. He had a spiritual awakening that reminded him of his call to ministry as a teenager. Seminary became the next step for him. He married his wife, Jennifer, and they began their ministry and life together at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. After receiving his Master’s of Divinity in December 2000, they moved to Shelby, NC where he served as Associate Pastor to Students at Elizabeth Baptist Church. In December of 2004, God led them to move to Palmetto, FL where he served as Associate Pastor to Students at First Baptist Church of Palmetto. Matt, Jennifer and their two girls have been at First Baptist of Lake Wales since June of 2006. Matt and Jennifer serve in the student ministry as a team and desire to see students grow into a mature relationship with Christ. Matthew 13:44-46 is a passage they hold on to:
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