Phillip Thomas, Pastor
phillip@fbcsweetwater.org
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Phillip Thomas and his family joined the staff at First Baptist Church on August 4, 2008.
My ministry is lived out in the role of Pastor, however, pastors are not the only people called into ministry. We are all called into ministry the moment we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. He is calling each of you to serve Him in many different ways. I believe the Church should encourage all believers to serve the Lord in all areas of their lives. The Church is not here to serve us, but rather we are here to serve Christ through the Church. As a pastor I hope to encourage each of you to find God's calling in your life as well as provide opportunities for service.
Phillip was blessed to be raised by two loving parents who demonstrated the love of Christ to me from the momentI was born. Phillip accepted Christ as his Savior and was baptized at an early age. As he grew, his understanding of what Christ did on the cross and what being a Christian means also grew, and continues to grow. During high school, Phillip and his Dad went on numerous mission trips together which proved to be instrumental in his understanding of ministry. After Phillip's first year of college he was asked to be the summer youth pastor at his home church in Sterling City. Phillip had not thought about vocational ministry until this time and was a little hesitant. He thought he should at least give God a summer of service, and sure enough that summer turned into nearly four years. After working in sales for a couple of years, I knew God was calling me into full time ministry. I served as a full time youth pastor for three more years in San Angelo, and during this time my calling to be a pastor became clear. This calling led me to Logsdon Seminary and to Calvary Baptist Church in Cisco, and now this calling has led me to First Baptist Church. Sweetwater. I thank God everyday for the calling he has given me and with patience and perseverance I hope to serve Him all of my days.
If we seek God's will He will give us the wisdom and strength to carry out His will. God is Good ~ All the Time
Jonathan Jones, Worship Leader
jonathan@fbcsweetwater.org
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Since joining the staff of First Baptist Church in August, 2006, Jonathan has been actively
involved with developing the music ministry of the church. As Music and Education Minister,
he is responsible for the Music and Worship Ministry, such as the Worship Choir, Praise Teams,
and Media. He is also responsible for the Sunday School Program and Discipleship Training.
Jonathan was raised in Abilene Texas and committed his life to Jesus at the age of 8 while his family attended Calvary Baptist Church. Before coming to FBC, Jonathan served as Music Minister at North Park Baptist Church in Abilene for more than 5 years. In that time he attended three mission trips to South Africa and Guatemala. In 2005, he completed a degree in Church Music from Hardin-Simmons University and in 2007 completed a Masters degree in Music Performance. Leading mission trips, administering our School of Music, organizing special programs, and serving the community through civic activities allow him to provide opportunities for all church members. Soon after coming to FBC he met Shayla Maberry fell in love and was married in August of 2008.
Tique Hamilton, Youth Minister
tique@fbcsweetwater.org
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Tique Hamilton joined the staff at First Baptist Church on March 1, 2009.
In May of 1999, I surrendered to God's call on my life to minister to students and their families. My ministry is founded on Matthew 22:37-40, put simply; Love God, love people. I believe that it is important for a ministry to youth to lead them into a relationship with Jesus. From the point of salvation, a youth ministry should help students develop their own faith, while reaching out to those around them with Christ?s love. Like the first disciples, students are called to minister first in their own community, but also to be mission-minded in a worldwide context. My passion is to see students come to know Christ, continue to grow in their salvation and faith, and lead others to a faith in Christ. Such a youth ministry works within the greater vision of the local church, seeking to be a growing part of the church?s ministry. Outside of my relationship with Christ, my family is the most important thing in the world to me. On May 17, 2003, God blessed me with a wonderful wife in Stacy Hamilton. She is a third grade teacher. We have no children, but we consider our students as our own. Stacy and I met at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, TX, where I received a degree in Christian Studies specializing in Youth Ministry and Biblical Languages. After graduation we moved to Abilene, TX, where I received an Masters of Divinity specializing in Family Ministry from Hardin Simmons University. I have served in two other youth ministries and worked youth camps for Horizon Resources during the summers of 2007 and 2008. I am excited to see what God has in store for the youth ministry of First Baptist Church!
Pam Goates, Office Administrator
pam@fbcsweetwater.org
Pam has been in the First Baptist Church Office since 1996. Today she serves as the Office Administrator
taking care of the various jobs within the Church office. In the church office Pam has the privilege of
serving the members of the body ? making it possible for them to be better equipped in fulfilling their
ministries, individually and collectively. One of Pam?s favorite Bible verses is:
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. ~Hebrews 6:10 NIV
A strong love for the Lord enables me to strive to be efficient as I serve the staff and membership of FBC.
Pam is the hometown girl. She was born and raised in Sweetwater and is married to Rusty and they have two grown children, Steven, Cindy and her husband Chris. Cindy and Chris have one child James. The Goates family have been active members at FBC since February of 1989.
Pam enjoys spending time with her family, decorating, and oil painting. One of my greatest joys is spending time with my grandson James.