Staff Directory

Senior Pastor

Steven E. Fitzgerald is married to the former Debra J. Long and they have three children (Mallory, Jake and Katy Mac). Dr. Fitzgerald was reared in Fayetteville and Raleigh, N.C. as a Presbyterian, and then became a Baptist in his early twenties. He attended Appalachian State University where he received his undergraduate degree in Business and Finance and then worked in the investment field as a stockbroker and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) for ten years. Fitzgerald earned his Master of Divinity and Doctorate in Ministry degrees from the Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond (BTSR). He served four churches in Virginia before coming to be the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church, New Bern in October 2001.

Dr. Fitzgerald can be reached at 252-638-5691 extension 21 or via email steve@fbchurch.com.

Associate Pastor of Education & Children

Dr. Sharon Bender is our Associate Pastor of Christian Education and Children. She and her husband Wade are New Bern natives. They have two children, Berry and Laura. Berry is married to Melissa and has two daughters, Charlotte and Caroline. Laura is married to Jacob Waller. Sharon received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Campbell University. She then completed her Master's in Christian Education and Doctorate of Religious Studies from Trinity Theological Seminary. Sharon has served with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina as a Resource Specialist and Facilitator and has served several churches in the areas of Christian Education, Youth, and Children's ministries. Dr. Bender joined the staff at First Baptist in August of 2007.

Sharon can be reached at (252) 638-5691 ext. 27, or at sharon@fbchurch.com .

Organist

Bette Jo Oglesby

Associate Pastor of Youth & Family Life

Richard D. Seagle is a native of Marion, North Carolina, Richard graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He received Master's of Divinity and Christian Education degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Richard also studied Clinical Pastoral Education with The School of Pastoral Care at the North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond. Richard has served as Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church of New Bern since 1992. Richard and his wife, Melodie, have two children, Chandler and Jenna.

Dr. Seagle can be reached at 252-638-5691 extension 24 or via richard@fbchurch.com.

Administrative Secretary

Bev Lindemann:

Bev can be reached at 638-5691, ext. 22, or e-mail at bev@fbchurch.com.

Buildings A and B Custodians

Sai Par Sang
and
Ngun Khenglot

Associate Pastor of Music & Worship

Barry E. Templeton became Associate Pastor of Music and Worship at First Baptist Church in January, 2004. He is a graduate of Pfeiffer University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Rev. Templeton is married to Yvonne H. Templeton. They have three daughters: Whitney, Caitlin, and Anna.

Barry can be reached at 252-638-5691 extension 25 or via barry@fbchurch.com.

Financial Secretary

Sandy O'Brien:

Sandy can be reached at 252-638-5691 extension 26 or via sandy@fbchurch.com .

Custodian

Jeff McLamb