Craig McMahan
INTERIM PREACHING MINISTER
Dr. Craig McMahan serves as the University Minister and Dean of the Chapel at Mercer University. He is also an assistant professor in the Columbus Roberts Department of Christianity. In 2007 he established the Mercer On Mission program, a signature program that sends Mercer students into developing countries in partnership with faith-based mission agencies and NGOs to engage in humanitarian aid projects. In 2009 and 2010, Mercer On Mission’s prosthetic program was featured at the Clinton Global Initiatives University meetings. Dr. McMahan also plays an integral role in planning of a variety of religious events, including weekly chapel and the Mercer Commons’ annual Beloved Community Symposium, which seeks to develop models of racial reconciliation.
Prior to his coming to Mercer University in July, 2005, Dr. McMahan, an ordained Baptist minister since 1982, served as senior pastor to churches in Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama, and North Carolina. In that role, he has been active in a variety of capacities in his community. He initiated two church-based programs that focused on educational priorities. Open Doors assisted single, homeless mothers in obtaining their Graduate Equivalency Degree, and Rainbow Kids provided tutoring and mentoring support for struggling elementary school students. While in North Carolina, Dr. McMahan served for ten years on the Ethics Committee of the Alamance Regional Medical Center and for seven years on their Institutional Review Board. In that capacity, he has been a regular guest lecturer in medical ethics at national conferences and on university campuses. In addition, Dr. McMahan has participated in a number of building projects with Habitat for Humanity and The Fuller Center for Housing. An avid sportsman, he has coached football on the high school varsity and middle school levels, as well as many other community sports teams for boys and girls.
Dr. McMahan is a 1978 Magna cum Laude graduate of Taylor University, holding a B. A. in Philosophy of Religion. He earned his M.Div. in 1981 and his Ph.D. in 1987 from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Under the supervision of Dr. R. Alan Culpepper, he wrote his dissertation entitled, “Meals as Type-Scenes in the Gospel of Luke.” Dr. McMahan’s most recent publication, a festschrift article in honor of Alan Culpepper, is entitled “More Than Meets the ‘I’: Recognition Scenes in The Odyssey and Luke 24.”
Dr. McMahan is married to Jennifer Maureen Horne McMahan, a nationally board certified public school teacher. Together they have four children: Nathan, Hannah, Rebekah, and Jordan. They reside in Macon, Georgia.
Robert Richardson
LEAD PASTOR
In response to a charge from church moderator Rodney Goff, the Personnel Committee has arranged for Dr. Robert Richardson to serve as Lead Pastor of our church. He will perform all the duties of our senior pastor, except for preaching on Sunday mornings.
Dr. Richardson and his wife, Sylvia, have been faithful members of our church for 21 years. He has served our church as Deacon, Sunday School teacher, Chair of Adult Education, Chair of Pulpit Supply, and a member of the important Strategic Planning Committee. He has 14 years of pastoral experience and 27 years of leadership in Baptist higher education.
We are exceedingly fortunate that such a gifted and gracious person has come out of retirement to work as our Lead Pastor in the weeks ahead.
Stanley Roberts
MUSIC
FBC Macon has been home for my wife, Marie, and me since 1992. Eventually two boys (Blake and Beau) came our way. And from the nursery to their present experience in Youth ministry, they have been nurtured at every step with love and grace. Music is my hobby, my life, and my greatest joy! Music is also the vital thread that connects our congregation. FBC Macon is a place where gifted musicians teach our children in a traditional graded choir program. I love directing the Youth Choir and the amazing experiences we share through jubilate! It is an honor to conduct the Chancel Choir and an even greater blessing to direct the greatest choir of all each week—our congregation. Congregational song is strong and vibrant at First Baptist . . . you will just have to experience this truth! In my spare time, I am Director of Choral Studies at Mercer and a baseball/football dad. Being minister of music at First Baptist is far more than a vocation. It allows me to collaborate with many talented artists in a community that loves the music of the church. (roberts_sl@mercer.edu)
Jody Long
YOUTH & OUTREACH
Welcome! I’m Jody Long, the Minister of Youth and Outreach at the First Baptist Church of Church at Macon. My title doesn’t tell the whole story about me, though. I also work with College Students, Young Adults and have several Administrative duties. I came to FBC in January 2004 before I finished seminary at the McAfee School of Theology. I find most of my ministerial joy watching students “get it”- the intersection of faith and understanding. When I’m not at church I enjoy running (although I’m not very fast!), reading (although I don’t get to read enough), watching and playing sports, and spending time with my wife, Julie, our daughter Merrill and Harry, our basset hound! (jodytlong@gmail.com)
Julie Long
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Hi! I’m Julie Long, Minister of Children and Families at First Baptist Church of Christ. I first stumbled into First Baptist as a Mercer University freshman in 1998. As I worshipped here and volunteered in the children’s ministry, I was drawn in by this church’s obvious love and care for its children. So, in 2004 when I had the opportunity to come back upon my graduation from the McAfee School of Theology, I jumped at the chance. When I’m not at church, I enjoy reading good books, playing tennis, watching West Wing reruns, and spending time with my husband, Jody, our daughter, Merrill, and our basset hound, Harry. (juliewlong@gmail.com)
Church Support Team
Anne Armstrong
MUSIC ASSOCIATE / PIANIST & ORGANIST
Anne Armstrong, organist and music associate, is a native of Macon and has served at First Baptist Church since 1980. She is a 1980 graduate of Wesleyan College, with a degree in piano performance and secondary studies in organ. She also is an adjunct collaborative pianist in the Townsend School of Music at Mercer University. Anne is active as a composer and arranger of music with over a hundred works published for piano, organ and handbells, including supplemental materials for the Celebrating Grace hymnal. She is a member of the Morning Music Club and is a past dean of the Macon chapter of the American Guild of Organists. (anaclef@aol.com)
Robert Bridgeman
FINANCIAL SECRETARY
Pam Pilcher
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Hi, I am Pam Pilcher, Administrative Assistant at First Baptist. In 2002, I decided to retire early after a 30 year career of serving as Administrative Assistant on church staffs of various denominations. In October of 2006 I returned to the church staff world as a permanent part-time staff person. I have been married to Bill Pilcher for 38 years, and we have one daughter, Paige. She is married to Ben Alford, and they have blessed us with a precious granddaughter, Anna Kate, who is 8 years old, in the 3rd grade, and is Poppy & Gigi’s Angel. We are active members of Martha Bowman Memorial UMC, where I serve as Wedding Coordinator. I enjoy spending time with my family and spoiling them!
Kenneth Robinson
ASSISTANT CHURCH CUSTODIAN
I have been a Deacon for the Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church for 20 years. I have been married for over 30 years to the former Christine Smith. I have six children, one of whom is deceased, many grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. My hobbies include fishing and horseback riding.
Jason Todd
HEAD CHURCH CUSTODIAN
Hello, my name is Jason Todd and I’ve been the head custodian at First Baptist Church for a little over a year. I have lived in Macon for the majority of my life (34 years) and graduated high school from Mt. de Sales Academy in 1993. I attended Highland Hills Baptist Church as a child and youth and was a member of the youth choir and hand bell choirs. I now enjoy being a member of the Fellowship Class here at FBC and consider myself lucky to be a part of the FBC family. My hobbies include music, movies, exercising, and cycling.