STAFF
Dr. Nelson Granade came to First Baptist Church of Statesville after serving First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro for 21 years. He is married to Valerie Wyke Granade. He is the author of “Lending Your Leadership: How Pastors are Redefining Their Role in Community Life.”
James Martin joined the First Baptist Church staff in June, 2009. He leads the Sanctuary Choir at the 10:00 a.m. Sunday worship service, and coordinates plans for worship and music. Besides singing, he also enjoys playing guitar, trombone, trumpet, and a variety of other instruments.
He and his wife Debi have two children, Jenna and Sean.
Melissa Wilson joined the staff of First Baptist Church as Minister of Children and Families in August, 2012. She is from Hudson, NC and loves working with children and encouraging them in their Christian faith. She earned her Masters of Divinity from George W. Truett Theological Seminary. Melissa has also taught elementary grades in a public school.
At First Baptist, she coordinates all children's programs, from preschool through Grade 5, including Sunday school and Wednesday night children's activities.
Jack was name Pastor Emeritus of FBC in October 2017. He served as pastor of FBC 1986-2000. Jack and his wife Mary Lib are positive influences on our church and our community.
Eddie Wiseman serves as accompanist at First Baptist. He has been actively involved in church music for more than thirty years. Eddie and his wife, Jane, have two daughters, Emily and Hailey. Eddie has a passion for Christian music and enjoys styles ranging from the classical works of Handel to the contemporary songs of Chris Tomlin.
Mary Jane Rash came to First Baptist Church after retiring from the State of North Carolina with more than 32 years of service. More than 26 years of that service was as the first female Magistrate for Iredell County presiding over cases in Small Claims Court as well as Administrative Court. Prior to that, she served six years as a legal assistant to the District Attorney.
She is married to Nathan Rash, a local artist, singer and licensed home inspector. Their children are Tamera Pendleton and husband George; Jake Rash and wife Lauren; and they also have four wonderful grandchildren, Madison, Tate, Georgia and Fletcher!
Kayley Crouch joined the First Baptist Church staff in July 2013 and oversees a variety of responsibilities, including producing The Interim, worship bulletins and other publications, updating the church calendar, and keeping church membership records.
Kayley grew up in First Baptist Church and graduated from North Iredell High School. Her parents, David and Pam Potter, are also members of First Baptist. Kayley earned her B.A. degree in journalism from Gardner-Webb University and her M.S. degree in graphic arts from Appalachian State University. She worked in graphic arts in Burlington before coming to First Baptist Church.
Kari pulls double duty at FBC as our Preschool Director and Contributions Secretary. She and her husband, Jon, has two children, Aubrey and Ty. Their family attends Front Street Baptist Church. Kari also runs her own dog walking business, Paws Fur Love Dog Walking.
ELIZABETH KILBY
Young Families Minister
Christine has lived the majority of her life in Florida, but moved to Charlotte to finish her bachelor’s in Sports Event Entertainment Management from Johnson and Wales University. While living in Charlotte she met her husband, William, who is a Statesville native. They have a little boy, Daniel, and are huge nerds.
Elizabeth joined First Baptist Church staff in August 2019 as our Young Families Minister making sure our young adults stay connected to the church. Elizabeth grew up at FBC and graduated from West Iredell High School. She earned her Bachelors Degree from UNC-Wilmington and her Masters in Divinity from Gardner-Webb University.
Jack joined our First Baptist Church Staff in January 2018. Jack and his wife Wilma attend South River Baptist Church where he serves as a deacon. Jack's son, Scott Huffman and his wife Terri run a ministry in India called Christ Cares 4 U.
Don joined our First Baptist Church Staff in February 2017. Don and his wife, Lois, have been married for 60 years. They have 3 sons, 8 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. He is a retired pastor from Living Water Assembly of God in Statesville. His hobbies include reading and cabinet making.