PASTORAL STAFF
Robert Dawson
Senior Pastor
Robert has served as the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Lake Park since May 2004. He was born and raised in Valdosta, Georgia and surrendered his life to Christ as a 12-year-old boy, and at the age of 19, he committed himself to full-time Christian ministry. Robert graduated from Florida Baptist Theological College and received his Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. With 20 years of ministry experience, he has served in various pastoral ministry positions in churches from Georgia to NorthCarolina.
Robert is married to Kristal (’96), and has two children, John Mark (’00) and Jordan Grace (’07). He has a contagious heart for people and a sincere love for God’s Word.
Outside of ministry, Robert loves fishing, reading, spending time with his family, and managing the Atlanta Braves organization from his recliner.
Jason Spell
Associate & Youth Pastor
Originally from Lakeland, GA, I have served on staff at First Baptist Church of Lake Park since June 2003. I asked Jesus into my life at the age of 12 at my home church of Good Hope Baptist Church in Naylor, GA. While I was planning to enter the business field, my course and plans in life radically changed after I surrendered to a call to ministry in March of 1996 as a high school senior about to graduate. I graduated from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2000 and entered into full time ministry as a student pastor in a small church in Bristow, Oklahoma (the only other church I’ve served in). Along the way, I also received my Master of Arts in Religion from Liberty University Seminary in 2009.
I have served in various capacities here at FBCLP, such as leading our worship ministry, student ministry, and children's ministries over the years. I deeply desire to faithfully, passionately & clearly communicate the truth of the Bible, while preaching and teaching in creative ways that the impact the heart of the youngest to the oldest person in the room. Every day is an honor to serve people in our community and in our local church.
I am married to Wendy and called “Dad” by Bethany, Noah, and Isaac. I love fishing, learning how to hunt with my boys, the aroma of freshly cut grass, the smell of the air immediately before and after it rains, baseball (Go Braves! and Go Orioles!, but I’ll cheer for any team as long as I can watch a game), family time, reading a good book with a great cup of coffee, and most anything made by Apple.
Jonathan Hancock
Minister of Discipleship & Administration
Born and raised in Lowndes County, Jonathan spent almost twenty-five years in the electrical industry before God slowly set in motion His ultimate plan for Jonathan’s life. Beginning in 2010 God began to grow Jonathan through serving, using certain individuals, and allowing certain events in his life that eventually led to his call to ministry being undeniable by the end of 2017. Submitting to this call in January of 2018, Jonathan joined the staff at First Baptist Church Lake Park in April of that same year as the Minister of Discipleship.
Jonathan is currently pursuing a diploma in Biblical Studies through the Southern Baptist Convention’s Seminary Extension program. His role as Minister of Discipleship includes overseeing our Sunday School, discipleship, and outreach ministries along with various other administrative duties. He loves teaching the truths of the Bible and has a passion to help build a disciple making culture within our faith family so that everyone lives life on mission for the Great Commission.
Jonathan and his wife Laurie were married in June of 1990 and have one son, Garrett. In his spare time, Jonathan enjoys golf, reading and raised bed gardening.
PASTORAL LEADERSHIP TEAM
The Pastoral Leadership Team is provides plurality of leadership to the church. This team of men provide support and counsel for the Senior Pastor in relation to matters of doctrine, oversight of staff and personnel , vision, policy and procedures, church discipline and general oversight of church ministries.
The Pastoral Leadership Team is a made up of both staff and laymen:
Robert Dawson
Jonathan Hancock
Robert Sherouse
Daniel Keown
DEACONS
Dorrell Combass
Allen McDougald
Michael Turner
Daniel Holmes
Jordan Hancock