Mark Reece, Jr.
Senior Pastor
Rev. Mark Reece, Jr. was called as our pastor after serving his previous church for twelve years. He loves small-town living and is a native of Elkin. Pastor Mark is married to Katy and they have a son Anderson and daughter Annalee. He attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where he received the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion, and then the Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University. He is a Naval Officer and Reserve Chaplain, endorsed by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, currently assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force where he serves Marines and Sailors during monthly drills and annual training. Pastor Mark was blessed to teach New Testament and Old Testament at Surry Community College for ten years, a learning experience that shaped his love and appreciation for the next generation. While various experiences continue to inform his ministerial identity, local church ministry remains his passion. He believes that faith is a pilgrimage, and we are called to meet others with Christ’s love wherever they may be. Our pastor loves being in the great outdoors, traveling, and enjoying all that our little town has to offer with his family. You can reach him at mark@elkinfbc.com.
Justin Bell
Associate Pastor
Justin joined us in September of 2016 and is our Associate Pastor of Youth and Children. He works closely with the families in our church to provide holistic gospel transformation at church and home. Justin grew up in the United Methodist Church, but received his MA in Ministry Leadership from Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest. He has now made his home with us in the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and loves the opportunity to work with the students and families in the church. His favorite passage of scripture is Galatians 1:10 and he has an enormous love for anything chocolate! You can reach Justin at justin@elkinfbc.com
Pat Eaton
Playschool Director
Pat began working at FBC in August of 1986 and has served as director of the FBC Playschool since March of 1998. She is married to Ken and has three children: Bethany, Cory, and Tyler. Pat is a graduate of Appalachian State University (B.A.) and Gardner-Webb University (B.S.). She considers the playschool her ministry and loves working with children and their families. As Playschool Director, Pat believes children should have ample time for play and imagination as they learn. You can reach Pat directly at 336.790.1548.
Lance Newman
Minister of Music and Administration
Lance is a native of Wilkes County, NC. He has been serving at FBC Elkin since moving back to the area in August of 2016. His passion for music began early when he sang his first solo in church at the age of 10. Lance studied piano for many years under his grandmother Hilda Newman. He continued his studies at Western Carolina University majoring in Music Industry with a concentration in voice. There he studied voice under the tutelage of the renowned tenor Dr. William Martin, and also choral conducting with Dr. Robert Holquist, whom he considers his most influential mentor. While in college he was called to serve as Minister of Music at Scotts Creek Baptist Church of Sylva, NC. Lance has placed in many NATS state and regional voice competitions. He has been a bass-baritone soloist for many masterworks with the Asheville Symphony, Asheville Lyric Opera, Asheville Choral Society, and the Charlotte Oratorio Singers just to name a few. He is an active member of the NC chapter of NAFME, ACDS, Elkin's Community Chorus, and Artistic director for VOCE of Surry County. In his free time, he breeds and shows fancy pigeons. You can reach Lance at lance@elkinfbc.com
Joyce Hamby
Accompanist
Joyce began her music ministry as part-time pianist March, 2015 and then began full-time in November, 2020. She began playing piano in her home church, Mountain Park Baptist, at the age of eleven. She continued her service at First Baptist Church of Yadkinville and at Maplewood Baptist Church prior to coming to FBC Elkin. After her retirement as Membership Director at the Yadkin Family YMCA in Yadkinville, she moved back to Elkin to be closer to her grandchildren, Xan and Lizzy Charles. Joyce enjoys working with the Children’s Choir, playing handbells, and serving as a Deacon at First Baptist.