Dr. Ken Parker has been the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Kearney, Missouri since January of 2006. Prior to coming to Kearney, he served as the founding pastor of Southpointe Family Church (SBC) in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Fianna Hills Baptist Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and First Baptist Church of Union, Missouri. Before becoming a senior pastor, he served churches in Illinois and Missouri as an associate pastor with responsibilities in worship ministry and student ministry.
Dr. Parker is a 1983 graduate of Cahokia Senior High School in Cahokia, Illinois, a 1988 graduate of Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, Missouri (B.A. – Church Music and Vocal Performance), and a three-time graduate of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity – 1995; Doctor of Ministry – 2002; Master of Arts in Counseling – 2013).
Dr. Parker also serves as Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Counseling as an adjunct professor at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has taught there since 2008. He previously served 10 years as a trustee at Midwestern, and in his last year served as the board chairman. Dr. Parker served 9 years as a trustee at Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis. He was elected to two terms as the First Vice-President of the Missouri Baptist Convention and two terms as the President of the Missouri Baptist Convention. In 2021, at the invitation of High Street Press, he published “Elephants in the Church: What the Bible Says about Fourteen Contemporary Issues.”
Parker and his wife Lori (married since 1988) are the parents of two sons, Zach (married to Chloe) and Luke, and grandparents to one granddaughter, Ryann Kay, and twin grandsons, Hudson and Jack.
Travis began his ministry at First Baptist Church in January, 2018. He has previously served and learned as a worship intern at Calvary Baptist Church in Hannibal, Missouri and at Lenexa Baptist Church in Lenexa, Kansas. Travis and his wife, Clara, met at Hannibal-LaGrange University where they were both music majors. Travis graduated with his Bachelor of Music in 2016 and Clara graduated with the same degree in 2015. Travis and Clara moved to Kansas City for Travis to pursue a Master of Divinity in Worship Ministries.
Travis relies on the whole Word of God, but two verses that have helped define his ministry have been Matthew 22:37, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and 1 Kings 12:7, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.”
Chloe grew up in central Oklahoma in a Pastor’s family with 5 younger siblings. Over the years she has been given various opportunities to serve in Children’s Ministry both in Oklahoma and Missouri. Chloe is a 2020 graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies. And a 2022 graduate of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where she received her Master of Arts in Christian Education as well as her Masters of Divinity. Chloe resides in Independence MO with her husband Austin and their two dogs, with a new addition arriving March 2023. Chloe is passionate about not only Children’s Ministry but making sure the focus is on families as a whole.
A couple of verses Chloe holds dear to her heart are:
Diane began her position as ministry assistant in October 2008. She counts it a privilege to serve in the church she grew up in and where she surrendered her life to Christ in December 1983.
Diane, and her husband Pat, were married at First Baptist in December 1989 and have served in various ministries of the church since that time.
They have two daughters, MacKenzie and Lexi, and love spending time together as a family, especially at Diane’s parents’ lake home at Beaver Lake in Arkansas.
A favorite verse of Diane’s for many years has been Psalm 28:7 (NIV), “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and I am helped.”
Shawn and Laura have been a part of First Baptist since 2015 when they joined. They have two daughters, Morgan and Caitlyn. Laura has been on staff since February 2021. She enjoys spending time with family and taking vacations.
One of her favorite verses is Joshua 1:9 .
Carlene's ancestors were founding members of First Baptist Church. She has been a member since childhood and has served as Financial Secretary since 1999.
Her career is banking with over 42 years' experience, currently serving as Vice President of Operations.
She and husband David have one daughter, Kate. In her spare time Carlene enjoys cooking and sewing projects for First Baptist Church's Lydia's Sew-ers group.
One of her favorite verses: "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." Hebrews 12:1-2
Ron has been a member of FBC-Kearney for eight years. He is married to Carrie and they have three grown children, Alanea, Zack, and Hannah. The Bates are members of the church choir; they also have their own music ministry. Ron enjoys listening to Christian music, cooking, fishing, and taking day trips with Carrie.
His favorite Bible verses are Psalms 23 and John 3:1.