LEADERSHIP STAFF
For a complete listing of the FBCT Staff, click the Staff Directory Button at the bottom of the page.
DR. RONNY RAINES, SENIOR PASTOR
931.245.0000 ︱ EMAIL
Dr. Ronny Raines was called as Senior Pastor on November 1, 2020. Pastor Ronny is married to Angie, his wife, and ministry partner, and they're thankful to serve at First Baptist Church and live in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Pastor Ronny's previous pastoral assignments include Calvary Baptist Church, Glasgow, Kentucky, Northside Baptist Church, Elizabethtown, Kentucky, First Baptist Church Cold Spring, Cold Spring, Kentucky, and Bradfordville First Baptist Church, Tallahassee, Florida. He served as the North Central regional consultant for the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
Pastor Ronny holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee, a Master of Divinity degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Pastor Ronny loves to read books, play golf, take walks, build relationships, and travel overseas. His passion is to lead the Lord's church to worship God, love people, share Jesus, and make disciples. Pastor Ronny's life verse is John 3:30.
CHRIS BECK, SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR
931.245.0000 ext. 161︱ EMAIL
As Senior Administrator, Chris serves and supports the Senior Pastor to accomplish the vision of First Baptist Church, which is to worship God, love people, share Jesus, and make disciples.
Before coming to First Baptist Church, Chris served on the ministry staff of First Baptist Church of St. Bethlehem for nineteen years. A Certified Public Accountant and Certified Christian Financial Counselor, Chris studied at Murray State University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Chris enjoys spending time with his wife Melanie and daughters Emelia and Savannah. His favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:8.
JASON JOHNSON, MISSIONS PASTOR
931.245.0000 ext. 108︱ EMAIL
Jason began serving as Missions Pastor on November 1, 2021. He is married to Kayla. They have two children, Karis and Zane. Prior to their arrival at First Baptist Clarksville, Jason and Kayla met and served together at First Baptist Church Mt. Washington, Kentucky. They are humbled and excited to be called by God to serve here.
Jason holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther Rice Bible College in Lithonia, Georgia, and a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
Jason loves to travel, watch and play sports, as well as read books. His passion is to make disciples of all nations. One Scripture passage that has shaped and impacted his ministry is Revelation 7:9-10.
DR. Eduardo ROCHA, MILITARY AND HISPANIC MINISTRY PASTOR
931.245.0000 ︱ EMAIL
Dr. Rocha (aka, Pastor Ed) and his family are originally from Uruguay, South America. He has been married to the love of his life, Sandra, since April 1990. They have three sons: Mishael, Gabriel, and Brian. They are also proud grandparents to three girls: Chelsea, Melanie, and Sophia.
Before coming to the United States, Pastor Ed served in a prominent church for ten years. His family arrived in Mount Juliet, TN in 2010. He served as Associate Pastor leading the Hispanic Ministry at a non-denominational church. He was later led to Pastor at Vida (Life) Hispanic Ministry until he went into full time chaplaincy ministry. In this role, he has served as Correctional Chaplain with the TN Department of Correction and in the private sector as a Corporate Chaplain. Since 2017 he has also been a Military Chaplain with the 61st Medical Battalion at the Tennessee State Guard.
Pastor Ed holds a bachelor’s degree in theology. He has also earned a master's degree in pastoral ministry and a doctorate degree in theological studies from Emmanuel Theological Seminary in Nashville, TN. He is now pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Christian clinical counseling.
Pastor Ed loves spending time with his granddaughters. He enjoys working out and pursuing a healthy lifestyle by walking, reading, and drinking “mate” which is a cultural Uruguayan hot beverage with “yerba mate” (herbs). His personal and favorite Bible passage is 2 Corinthians 5:17.
JOHN MARK COX, WORSHIP and CREATIVE arts pastor
931.245.0000 ext. 107︱ EMAIL
John Mark is a native of Clarksville. He and his wife Gail married in May of 1994 and have one child Braxton born in may of 2009. Worship is more than music to John Mark. He believes it is in everything we do. A couple of his favorite verses: Hebrews 13, verses 15 & 16. "Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God."
COLE MCCARTNEY, NEXT GENERATION PASTOR
931.245.0000 ︱ EMAIL
Cole grew up in the Springfield, TN area before attending college at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR. He graduated with a degree in Biblical and Theological Studies with a minor in Biblical Languages. He currently attends New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary online pursuing a Master of Divinity in Preaching.
Cole joined the First Baptist staff in February of 2024 as the Next Generation Pastor. He was previously on staff as the interim youth minister at Second Baptist Church of Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Cole has a heart for the next generation and feels strongly about fostering and teaching the students.
Cole enjoys all things outdoors but especially enjoys disc golf, golf, and working out. His life verse is Acts 1:8.
TABITHA DOWDY, DIRECTOR of women and kids’ ministrIES
931.245.0000 ext. 106︱ EMAIL
Mrs. Tabitha joined the FBCT Clarksville family in 2016, then in 2018 took on the new role of Kids Ministry Director. She is married to her “partner in crime” Jason, and they have three children. She graduated from Austin Peay State University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communication.
Tabitha enjoys spending time with friends, family and dog. She is also an avid fan of documentaries, gardening, art and random facts and information. Her favorite verse is Psalm 107:9 "For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.”
BILL GRAHAM, VISITATION PASTOR
931.245.0000︱ EMAIL
Pastor Bill Graham began the gospel ministry in December 1963 when First Baptist Church Clarksville, TN ordained him. He has been a Church Planter in WI, Pastor in RI and served at the Baptist Home Mission Board (Now North American Mission Board in Atlanta, GA) for 17 years in the Missionary Personnel Department. After retiring from the Board in 2000, Bill returned to FBC in 2001 as the Associate Pastor of Missions and Ministry. Although he retired in 2013, he returned as parttime staff in 2014 where he remains as Visitation Pastor.
From 1970 to 1995 Bill was an US Army National Guard and US Army Reserve Chaplain achieving the rank of Colonel. He was deployed to Egypt and to Cuba.
He graduated from Carthage College (now University) with a BA in Religion, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a diploma from the US Army Command and General Staff College.
He has led international mission projects in Brazil, Peru, Mexico, China, Russia, Belarus, Portugal, Tunisia, Ghana and national mission projects in New England, and New York. Bill has served with the Cumberland Baptist Association Disaster Relief Team as a Chaplain.
Bill is engaged in our prayer ministry, military ministry, and prison ministry.
He married Mary Lou in 1964. The have two adult children who blessed them with four grandchildren.
Bill’s life verse is Romans 12: 1-2
CHERYL MCCRARY, PRESCHOOL Minister
931.245.0000 ext. 124︱ EMAIL
Mrs. Cheryl joined the FBC Clarksville Family as Minister to Preschoolers in November 2008. Mrs. Cheryl is thankful to serve in ministry alongside her husband of more than 15 years, Jamie McCrary as well as the most dedicated team of preschool ministry leaders/volunteers imaginable.
A former practicing Disability Rights Attorney in Tallahassee, Florida, Mrs. Cheryl considers every day she is able to serve God in ministry a blessing. While Mrs. Cheryl has spent most her life volunteering in church teaching children about the love of God, she was called as Minister to Preschoolers & Children in August 2006 to Heights Baptist Church in Alvin, Texas.
Mrs. Cheryl holds a Juris Doctor Degree from Florida State University School of Law, a Master’s Degree in Information Science from Florida State University & a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Flagler College. When Cheryl is not watching FSU football with Jamie, she enjoys musicals, audiobooks, learning new skills & spending time with her family.
Mrs. Cheryl has seen repeatedly the faithfulness of God and the truth of His promises provided in Jeremiah 29:11-13, “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord…” One of her greatest joys is seeing preschoolers & their families grow to Worship God, Love People, Share Jesus & Make Disciples.
JOHN LEE, KOREAN PASTOR
931.245.0000 | EMAIL | Korean Ministry
With a call from God, Pastor Lee started the Korean Ministry at First Baptist in 2005. He is married to Koung Hee. They have seven children, Eun-woo, Ji-woo, Sung-jin, Seung-jin, Ye-jin, Eun-hye, and Ji-Hye.
Pastor Lee completed his bachelor’s degree in law at Sungkyunkwan University in Korea. He also earned a Master’s degree in theology at the Graduate School of Theology in Korea.
Pastor Lee is devoted to serve God’s church and make disciples of Jesus.
He loves to watch movies and travel. His favorite Scripture passage is Ephesians 4:15-16.