Meet the team

Pastors

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  • Missions Pastor

    My calling and genuine passion in life is to serve the Lord Jesus and His church, proclaiming the Gospel of Christ to those who have not heard, helping believers in Jesus Christ mature in their faith, and championing the cause of global missions. I have had the privilege of serving in cross-cultural settings for many years with my family, and now it is our great privilege to serve here in Jonesboro! We love the local church and are ready to journey together with you as we become disciples who make disciples. The verses that have been meaningful for my life and ministry are Joshua 1:9 and Colossians 1:24-2:7. I love traveling and exploring different cultures with my family, watching the Atlanta Braves and college football, and generally anything outdoors.

  • Hispanic Congregation Pastor

    Mi nombre es Rubén Torres, y soy el pastor de la Iglesia Bautista Victoria en Cristo. Soy oriundo de Puerto Rico, y recibí a Cristo en 1980, posteriormente el Señor me llamó al ministerio en 1984, mientras estudiaba en la universidad en México (Puebla). He tenido la dicha de pastorear a tiempo completo por los últimos 27 años. He sido pastor en Puerto Rico y desde el 2004 soy el pastor general de la Iglesia Bautista Victoria en Cristo en Riverdale, Georgia.

    My name is Ruben Torres, and I am the pastor of Iglesia Bautista Victoria en Cristo. I was born in Puerto Rico and received Christ in 1980. The Lord called me to ministry in 1984 while I was studying at university in Mexico (Puebla). I have been in full time for the past 29 years. I’ve pastored in Puerto Rico, and since 2004, I have been the senior pastor of Victoria en Cristo. I’ve been married for 37 years to my wife Glenda, and we have one daughter who is married and lives in Tennessee.
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  • Haitian Congregation Pastor

    I am your servant in Christ, Rev. Wilbert Michel.I had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ in 1983 in Brooklyn, New York.

    Passionate about God's work in ministry, I quickly sought to educate myself so I could be a useful servant to my Master, the Lord Jesus. I pursued theological studies at the Centre d'Etude Biblique et de Rééducation Evangelique (Center for Biblical Study and Evangelical Training) under the leadership of Rev. Joseph Theodore, the center's director. I completed the six-year course of study. My wife also attended this theological school. After graduating, I was ready to take my first steps in serving others through ministry.

    However, after working for a few years alongside fellow brothers and sisters at our congregation-the French-Speaking Baptist Church of Brooklyn, NY-my wife, our children, and I realized that we could serve as instruments in the Lord's hands in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Consequently, we relocated there in 1992.

    Driven by a passion for God's work, I deepened my studies by earning a certificate in Church Planting from the New Orleans Seminary. Now, my family and I work alongside other ministry leaders at the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. I became the pastor of the First Haitian Baptist Church of Jonesboro. Ours is a missionary church. Guided by this vision, other initiatives have been launched. In Haiti: A school and church-the École Mixte de Liancourt, Jonesboro. In Chile: The First Baptist Church of Chile. In Santo Domingo: Primera Iglesia Bautista Jonesboro (Dominican Republic). In Claxton, Georgia: The First Haitian Baptist Church of Claxton.

    Our building, located at 100 W. Mills Street, Jonesboro, GA 30238, houses the First Haitian Baptist Church of Jonesboro and the Patriarche Biblical Training Center-a Bible school serving brothers and sisters who wish to deepen their knowledge of God's Word in order to serve more effectively in ministry.

    Je suis votre serviteur en Christ Rev. Wilbert Michel. J'ai fais mon experience personnelle avec Jesus-Christ dans l'année de 1983 à Brooklyn, N.Y.

    Passionné pour le travail de Dieu dans le Ministère. J'ai vite chercher de m'eduquer, pour être un serviteur utile pour mon Maitre le Seigneur Jésus. Je me suis engagé pour une connaissance théologique au Centre d'Etude Biblique et de Rééducation Evangelique, sous le leadership du Rev. Joseph Theodore, Directeur de ce centre. J'ai bouclé le cycle de six années d'études. Ma femme aussi faisait partie de cette Ecole théologique. Après ma Graduation J'étais en mesure de faire mon premier pas pour être au service des autres dans le Ministère.

    Mais après quelques années de travail aux côtés des autres frères et soeurs de notre assemblée Eglise Baptiste d'Expression Française de Brooklyn NY (French Speaking Baptist Church of Broolyn NY), ma femme et moi ainsi que nos enfants avons remarqué que nous pourrons être des instruments entre les mains du Seigneur du côté d'Atlanta, Georgia. C'est ainsi que notre rélocation a eu lieu dans l'Année 1992.

    Avec une passion pour le travail de Dieu J'ai apronfondi mes études pour une connaissance de Church Planting au New-Orleans Seminary pour obtenir un Certificat. Maintenant ma famille et moi nous travaillons ensemble avec d'autres leaders dans le ministère à First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. Je suis devenu Berger de la Premiere Eglise Baptiste Haitienne de Jonesboro. Notre congrégation est une Eglise Missionnaire. Avec cette vision, d'autres travaux ont pris naissance. Du côté d'Haiti : Ecole et Eglise, Ecole Mixte de Liancourt, Jonesboro. Du côté de Chilie : Premiere Eglise Baptiste de Chile. Du côté de Santo Domingo: Primera Iglesia Bautista Jonesboro. Du côté de Claxton, Georgia : Premiere Eglise Baptiste Haitienne de Claxton.

    Notre bâtiment situé à 100 W. Mills Street Jonesboro, Ga 30238 loge la Première Eglise Baptiste Haitienne de Jonesboro et le Centre de Formation Biblique: Patriarche, une Ecole Biblique au service des frères et soeurs qui veulent approfondir leur connaissance dans la Parole de Dieu dans le but de mieux servir dans le ministère.

  • Cambodian Congregation Pastor

    I am Sokhom Khim. I am so blessed that the Lord has brought me directly from Cambodia to serve Him as a pastor of First Baptist Jonesboro- Cambodian congregation. It is a great privilege and honor to serve the Lord here with beloved leaders to bring Christ to our community. So, you can join us to make a difference. I am passionate about helping people grow in faith, experience God’s grace, and discover their God given purpose. My prayer is every person who walks through the doors encounters the love, presence, and transforming power of Christ.

    Sokhom’s story in Khmer

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  • Vietnamese Congregation Pastor

    My name is Chau Le Minh Quan, and I am a member of the Vietnamese First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. I give thanks to God for transforming me from a polytheistic faith into a complete faith in Jesus Christ, through which I have received forgiveness and been redeemed through His death. Not only did He bring me out of sin, but He also gave me the opportunity to serve Him by proclaiming the Gospel to those who have never heard it, and by guiding them back to true faith so that they may receive eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. As Jesus said in John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me." Therefore, I pray that God would give everyone the opportunity to know Him and believe in Him through mission ministries.


    Tôi là Châu Lê Minh Quân, thuộc Hội Thánh Việt Nam First Baptist Jonesboro. Tôi cảm tạ Đức Chúa Trời vì Ngài đã biến đổi tôi từ một đức tin đa thần trở thành một đức tin trọn vẹn nơi Chúa Giê-xu, để tôi nhận được sự tha thứ và được cứu chuộc qua sự chết của Ngài. Ngài không những đưa tôi ra khỏi tội lỗi, mà Ngài còn ban cho tôi cơ hội được phục vụ Ngài qua việc rao truyền Tin Lành cho những người chưa từng nghe dến, và dẫn dắt họ trở về với đức tin chân thật, để họ có thể nhận được sự sống đời đời trong nước trời. Như Chúa Giê-xu đã phán trong Giăng 14:6: “Ta là đường đi, lẽ thật, và sự sống; chẳng bởi ta thì không ai được đến cùng Cha.” Vì thế, tôi cầu nguyện xin Chúa cho mọi người có cơ hội biết đến Chúa và tin Ngài qua các mụ vụ truyền giáo.

  • Lao Thai Congregation Pastor

    Pastor Ken is the pastor of the First Baptist Jonesboro Laotian and Thai Congregation, a position he has held since 2006. He has a deep love for the Lord and serving his people. Formerly on track to become a Buddhist Monk, the Lord intervened in Kaukul’s life and called him to ministry. He has been seeking the Lord and his will ever since. He has an affinity for the culinary arts and gathering around with fellow believers over good food, enjoying fellowship with the body of Christ. 

    ศิษยาภิบาลเคน เป็นศิษยาภิบาลของคริสตจักรลาวและไทยแห่ง First Baptist Church Jonesboro โดยดำรงตำแหน่งนี้มาตั้งแต่ปี ค.ศ. 2006 ท่านมีความรักอย่างลึกซึ้งต่อองค์พระผู้เป็นเจ้าและการรับใช้ประชากรของพระองค์

    ในอดีต ท่านเคยอยู่บนเส้นทางที่จะบวชเป็นพระภิกษุในศาสนาพุทธ แต่พระเจ้าได้ทรงเข้ามาเปลี่ยนแปลงชีวิตของคุณเคาคูล และทรงเรียกให้ท่านเข้าสู่การรับใช้ในพันธกิจ นับตั้งแต่นั้นเป็นต้นมา ท่านได้แสวงหาพระเจ้าและน้ำพระทัยของพระองค์อย่างต่อเนื่อง

    ท่านมีความชื่นชอบเป็นพิเศษในด้านศิลปะการประกอบอาหาร และรักการได้ใช้เวลาร่วมกับพี่น้องผู้เชื่อรอบโต๊ะอาหารที่ดี เพื่อสามัคคีธรรมและเสริมสร้างความสัมพันธ์ในพระกายของพระคริสต์

Ministers and staff

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  • Connections Minister

    I have been a member of First Baptist Jonesboro for 8 years. I currently serve as Minister of connections. The Lord has blessed me with great joy as I serve our Church and our community, sharing the love of Christ. I was employed with United Parcel Service for a total of 38 years and retired in 2017. It is truly a blessing to know that God has retired me so that He could hire me to serve alongside my wonderful wife, Virmil. My hobbies are fishing, drawing, traveling and sharing memorable moments with family and friends.

    It is a privilege to have the opportunity to impact our community.

    “For the love of Christ compels us”

    (2 Corinthians 5:14)

  • Local Ministries & Missions Minister

    I serve as the Local Missions Pastor at First Baptist Jonesboro and I am the co-founder of OneWay Jonesboro alongside my wife, Melissa. My passion is sharing the hope of Jesus through discipleship, recovery ministry, and serving the local community. Through OneWay, I help create a welcoming place where people can experience fellowship, healing, and spiritual growth. I am committed to helping others take their next step in following Christ. One of my favorite versus is Matthew 11:28-30

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  • Missions Ministry Assistant

  • Connections Ministry Assistant

    After 32 years, I retired as a Senior Administrative Assistant from UPS in 2017 where God retired me so that He could hire me for His work. 2018 I joined First Baptist Jonesboro and in 2021 I became a part of our church administrative team where I joyfully serve in the Connections Ministry with my husband Michael, Minister of Connections. God could not have called us to a more humbling ministry, where we are able to display the love of Christ to our community as well as our church!  

    The Lord has given me a heart to serve. I love hosting gatherings at our home where we minister to individuals, couples, and groups. We truly get to witness God at work through the conversations and fellowship. I also love to travel and spend time with family and friends. 

    The scripture that motivates me to action is Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.