OUR STAFF
Ryan Myhre
Associate Pastor of Discipleship
rmyhre@fbsebring.com | Phone: 863-385-5154 ext 23
I love serving as the Associate Pastor of Discipleship and have been on staff since 2019. I obtained an International Business degree (Business and Spanish) from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and my Mdiv through Baptist Bible Seminary in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. Discipleship holds a special place in my family’s heart, as it was through a “Discipling Church’s” faithful ministry that the Lord brought me to a saving knowledge of Christ and it was where God continued to equip me with the Word and grant opportunity to be discipled, intern, lead the youth group, teach Senior High Sunday school, and be called an Associate Pastor. Each step provided growth, depth, as well as further joy and reliance on God. Prior to fulltime ministry, I was a teaching tennis professional and a USTA High Performance Junior Development coach for 17 years.
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God graciously opened my eyes to see my sinful condition and drew me to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone through His Word, “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth, one confesses and is saved”, (Romans 10:9-10).
My wife Nicole is an RN at Advent Health and we have been married for 19 years. We enjoy being active, engaging in ministry, and helping people take the next step in their spiritual lives. The Lord has blessed us with two beautiful and talented girls, Ryleah and Alayna, who have a love and desire for God and His Word.
Shane Mitchell
Pastor of Music and Senior Adults
smitchell@fbsebring.com | Phone: 863-385-5154
For the past 28 years, my beautiful wife, Melissa, and I have had the honor of serving the Kingdom of God through the local church in the area of worship and creative arts ministry with additional leadership responsibilities that included senior adults, church planting, and disciple multiplication. We are confident that God has called us to live our lives as servant missionaries sent to make disciples of Jesus, who make disciples in all of life. My spiritual gifts of evangelism and exhortation combined with a talent in music have helped me lead the local church through worship and encourage them to worship and serve Christ by living life in community, and life on mission.
Melissa and I were married on February 25th, 1995. We are blessed to have two grown children, Natalie and Daniel (whom we affectionately call, “Boone”). Both of our kids love Jesus and have been an active part of our ministry. They continue to serve the Lord and others through their own spiritual gifts. Natalie often helps me lead our congregation in worship as a member of our praise team. Boone and his sweet wife, Julia reside in Chattanooga, Tennessee where they help serve in the areas of student ministry and worship leading at Oakwood Baptist Church.
We are so excited to be here in Sebring and to join the faith family of First Baptist Church. My favorite scripture verse is found in 2 Timothy 1:8&9, “Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in the suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.”
Lonnie Hill
Pastor to Students
lhill@fbsebring.com | Phone: 863-385-5154 ext 33
I have served as the Student Pastor at First Baptist Sebring since 2014. As the student pastor, I have a strong desire to see students become fully devoted followers of Jesus. I love to see God work in the life of a young person, to see them grow in their faith, and then lead others to faith in Jesus! Mari and I were married on Valentine's Day in 1999. We have two sons, Alex (11) and Aaron (3).
I gave my life to Christ in 1989, at the age of 14. My favorite Bible verse is Romans 12:2 - “Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and perfect and pleasing.”
Alison Whitehurst
Pre School Director
awhitehurst@fbsebring.com | Phone: 863-385-5154 ext 34
I have known since I was a little girl that I wanted to work with children. I went to college for my AS degree in early childhood education and started working here in June of 2001 as the Assistant Director in the afternoons and started teaching. I was asked to step in as Interim Director as of May 2019 and absolutely love what I do. Not only do I get to interact with all the kids and their families now, but I also get to be with all of our staff.
I have been married to my husband George for 17 years and we have 2 daughters. Raegan is 14 and in the 9th grade and Riley Grace is 12 and in the 6th grade. I have been a member of First Baptist Sebring my whole life and was baptized at 5 in the old glass church by Brother Jay McCall. I grew up in a Christian home but truly started living my life for God when I started working here. Being around other Christians at work made it easier to give my whole self to our Lord and live the way I knew I needed to. My all-time favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.
Lynda Hodge
Business Administrator
lhodge@fbsebring.com | Phone: 863-385-5154 ext 30
I’ve worked for First Baptist Church Sebring for over 22 years. I was hired as a Ministry Assistant in January 1998 and transitioned to my current position in July 2018. I love what I do!
I was saved when I was 11 years old but wasn’t baptized until 10/17/1999.
I have been married to my husband Eddie for 16 years. I have an adult daughter, Emily Smith Ayala, and she and her husband, Leo, have given us an awesome grandson, Julian.
My favorite verse is I John 3:1, “See what kind of love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it does not know Him.”
Amy Reed
Administrative Assistant
areed@fbsebring.com | Phone: 863-385-5154 ext 21
I was born and raised in Highlands County. I’ve been married to Jeff for 19 years. We have a son, Kaleb who is a junior at Sebring High School. I am also blessed with two stepsons, Colton and Brady who are both married. Brady and his wife blessed Jeff and I with a grandbaby, Lillie.. she’s 8 months old.
Paul Paton
Maintenance Specialist
Phone: 863-385-5154
I really enjoy construction and maintenance projects working with my hands. Working in the house of the Lord is a real pleasure, its a safe zone for me.
Karen and I have been married for 7 years and have 7 grandkids between us. In the summer of 1966 I was born again. My favorite verse of all time is the first verse I learned, John 3:16.
Christine Bowen
Housekeeping Specialist
Phone: 863-385-5154
I am truly excited to be reunited with FBC. As a former FBC preschool teacher of fifteen years, I have missed the fellowship and friendly faces of FBC. I am extremely thankful once again to be one of these faces. I am passionate about serving others and by being a part of the FBC staff is one of the ways I can achieve this. One of my favorite verses is:
1 Corinthians 13:13 - So now faith, hope, and love abide these three; but the greatest of these is Love.