Ministerial and Office Staff
Rev. Ray Sullivan III
Senior Pastor
Rev. Ray Sullivan III, Senior Pastor - ray.fbcwayx@gmail.com
Rev. Sullivan comes to us after serving with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board as Discipleship Consultant for South Georgia. In this role, he was passionate about helping pastors and churches take the next step in developing disciple-making pathways that lead converts to becoming fully trained disciples of Jesus. Before joining GBMB, he served as lead pastor of churches in Kentucky, Florida and Georgia. He has also served as Executive Vice President of Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, GA. He and his wife Stephanie have two grown sons and two wonderful daughters in-law. When not serving churches, Ray loves helping on the family blueberry farm and spending time outdoors.
Rev. Sullivan comes to us after serving with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board as Discipleship Consultant for South Georgia. In this role, he was passionate about helping pastors and churches take the next step in developing disciple-making pathways that lead converts to becoming fully trained disciples of Jesus. Before joining GBMB, he served as lead pastor of churches in Kentucky, Florida and Georgia. He has also served as Executive Vice President of Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, GA. He and his wife Stephanie have two grown sons and two wonderful daughters in-law. When not serving churches, Ray loves helping on the family blueberry farm and spending time outdoors.
Rev. John Wheeler
Minister to Families
Rev. John Wheeler, Minister to Families - [email protected]
Rev. John Wheeler has been serving as the Minister to Students at First Baptist Church since June of 1998. John was raised in Greenville S.C. where he graduated from Riverside High School in 1987. He graduated from Lander University in Greenwood, S.C. with a B.S. in Exercise Science and Athletic Training in 1992. He answered the call to Youth Ministry and attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he graduated with a Masters in Christian Ed. with an emphasis in Youth Ministry.
John is married to Lesley Wheeler and they have two beautiful daughters; Emma and Sara.
Rev. John Wheeler has been serving as the Minister to Students at First Baptist Church since June of 1998. John was raised in Greenville S.C. where he graduated from Riverside High School in 1987. He graduated from Lander University in Greenwood, S.C. with a B.S. in Exercise Science and Athletic Training in 1992. He answered the call to Youth Ministry and attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he graduated with a Masters in Christian Ed. with an emphasis in Youth Ministry.
John is married to Lesley Wheeler and they have two beautiful daughters; Emma and Sara.
Terri Barnett
Worship Leader
Terri Barnett - [email protected]
Terri has been the Worship Leader at FBC Waycross. In 2003, she served as the interim Minister of Music; she was offered the full time position of Worship Leader in 2024. Terri leads Sunday morning worship, Chancel Choir, Joyful Noise Children's Choir, Handbell Choir, and the Praise Band. Also, she gets to boss around her mother, Carol Parker, our church pianist! She attended Valdosta State University where she earned a BS in music education. Previously, she served as the Choral Director for Ware Middle School. She is Married to Eddie Barnett and they have been married since 2018.
First Baptist Church is blessed to have her talents here!
Terri has been the Worship Leader at FBC Waycross. In 2003, she served as the interim Minister of Music; she was offered the full time position of Worship Leader in 2024. Terri leads Sunday morning worship, Chancel Choir, Joyful Noise Children's Choir, Handbell Choir, and the Praise Band. Also, she gets to boss around her mother, Carol Parker, our church pianist! She attended Valdosta State University where she earned a BS in music education. Previously, she served as the Choral Director for Ware Middle School. She is Married to Eddie Barnett and they have been married since 2018.
First Baptist Church is blessed to have her talents here!
Barbara Chase
Church Secretary
Barbara Chase, Church Secretary - [email protected]
Barbara Chase has served the congregation of First Baptist Church as the Church Secretary since April of 1991. We count on Barbara to manage our church office, keep the church calendar, keep the prayer list updated, compose and publish our weekly church newsletter The Messenger, and make sure everyone is on the same page. In addition to these responsibilities, and so many others that make our church office work, Barbara is often the first voice you hear when calling the church office and, as the adage goes, we have made sure to put our best foot forward.
Barbara is more than just our church secretary and office manager; she has a ministry of hospitality and is a true gift from God to us all. Barbara is married to her husband of 31 years is the Rev. Martin (Marty) Chase.
Barbara Chase has served the congregation of First Baptist Church as the Church Secretary since April of 1991. We count on Barbara to manage our church office, keep the church calendar, keep the prayer list updated, compose and publish our weekly church newsletter The Messenger, and make sure everyone is on the same page. In addition to these responsibilities, and so many others that make our church office work, Barbara is often the first voice you hear when calling the church office and, as the adage goes, we have made sure to put our best foot forward.
Barbara is more than just our church secretary and office manager; she has a ministry of hospitality and is a true gift from God to us all. Barbara is married to her husband of 31 years is the Rev. Martin (Marty) Chase.
Michelle Abernathy
Administrative Assistant
Michelle Abernathy - Administrative Assistant
Michelle joined the FBC Team in May of 2025. She has been married to Josh Abernathy since 2008, and they have 3 beautiful children; Nathan, Atalie, and Ethan. We are so thankful for her very kind spirit and her wonderful contribution to the FBC staff family.
Michelle joined the FBC Team in May of 2025. She has been married to Josh Abernathy since 2008, and they have 3 beautiful children; Nathan, Atalie, and Ethan. We are so thankful for her very kind spirit and her wonderful contribution to the FBC staff family.