Dr. Ken Parker has been the senior pastor of First Baptist Church since January of 2006. Before coming to Kearney, he served as the founding pastor of Southpointe Family Church (SBC) in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Prior to that, he pastored Fianna Hills Baptist Church in Fort Smith, 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 and student ministry.
Dr. Parker is a graduate of Cahokia Senior High School in Cahokia, Illinois. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Church Music & Vocal Performance from Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, and is a three-time graduate (Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry, Master of Arts in Counseling) of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, where he also currently serves as Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Counseling. Dr. Parker served ten years as a trustee at Midwestern, serving as board chairman his last year, and nine years as a trustee at Missouri Baptist University. In 2023, he was elected by the Missouri Baptist Convention once again to serve as a trustee at Missouri Baptist University.
Dr. Parker was twice elected First Vice-President and twice elected 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.”
Pastor Ken and his wife, Lori are the parents of two grown sons, Zach and Luke, and have three grandchildren, Ryann Kay, 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.”
Jon joined the First Baptist family as an associate pastor in March of 2023. He previously served as an associate pastor at Calvary Community Church in Saint Cloud, Minnesota from 2012-2022. Prior to serving as a pastor, Jon received two degrees in education and was an elementary teacher for 7 years.
He is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree with Biblical Counseling at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is excited to continue to learn, grow, and serve the church as a better-equipped pastor, teacher, and leader.
Jon has always been deeply encouraged by God’s faithful and watchful care as the Good Shepherd. Psalm 23, John 10, and Colossians 3 are some of his favorite scripture passages.
He and his wife Lacey were married in 2004 and are the parents of Ahna and Josiah
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 .
Dianelly (Dee Dee) Ervin joined the church staff as a Ministry Assistant in February 2023. She served in the church office and various ministries for over 10 years at her church in Los Angeles. Dee Dee’s first love and passion is women’s ministry.
Her husband, Doug, grew up in this church and is a long-time member. They were married in 2018 and have five children and two grandchildren.
A few of her favorite bible verses are Psalms 23, Luke 1:45, and Proverbs 3:5-6.
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.