Mark joined our Staff in June of 2002. He attended Ohio State University for three years, but
would later graduate with an Organizational/Interpersonal Communications degree from Oral
Roberts University. He also completed his Masters of Divinity degree from Oral Roberts Theological
Seminary. He and his wife Jayna live in Highland with their two children Colton and Kaylea. Their
hobbies include: landscaping, home improvement, and playing games.
“The goal of any praise and worship setting is to encounter God's presence and transformational
power, calling people to make a decision for Christ and shaping the life of Christ within the
Believer. ”
Rich Cochran Minister of Education/Children
Rich Cochran is the Children's Minister for First Baptist Church Maryville. He is a graduate
of Southwest Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Rich is married
to Angie and they have three children, Allison, Luke, and Kate. Rich and his family joined
FBCM in the Spring of 2005 and he enjoys spending time with family, golf and playing just
about any sport. He desires to teach children's how to live an authentic life with God.
Dr. Tom Hufty Interim Pastor
Dr. Thomas Hufty began serving as Interim Pastor on October 11, 2009 and will serve until a Senior Pastor is chosen to fulfill
the pulpit responsibilities. Dr. Hufty has a love for the Word of God and provides the messages on Sunday mornings. Dr. Hufty has
30 years experience serving at various churches, including 13 years as Associate Pastor for Student and Family Ministries at Pleasant
Valley Baptist Church in Liberty, Missouri. Earlier this year he was the Interim Pastor at First Baptist Church in O’Fallon, Mo.
Besides his work as a pastor, Hufty currently serves as Vice President for Collegiate Affairs and Assistant to the President at
Hannibal-LaGrange College in Hannibal, Mo. He graduated from HLG with an Associate of Arts degree in 1976 and a Bachelors in
Religious Education in 1978. In 1983, he received his Masters in Religious Education from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He received the honorary Doctorate of Theology degree from Hannibal-LaGrange College in 2000. Hufty is also the author of a devotional
book entitled “Time Alone with God.” He and his wife Rhonda have been married for 29 years and have two grown children, Mackenzie and
Zachary. Dr. and Mrs. Hufty have led several marriages and family conferences in churches and conventions internationally and throughout the Midwest.
Paul Byrd Student Minister
Paul Byrd is the Student Minister at First Baptist Church of Maryville. He graduated from
University of Alabama in 1990 and has a masters in Religous Education from Southwestern
Baptist Theological Seminary in 1993. He has been on staff at FBCM since May of 2002. Paul is
married to Mary Ann and they have two sons, Caleb and Benjamin. Paul is a University
of Alabama fan. He enjoys time with his family. Paul loves inspiring leaders to use
their God-given abilities to lead others to minister to students. Roll Tide Roll!
Cindy Sheehan Preschool Ministries Director
Cindy Sheehan is the Preschool Ministries Director at First Baptist Church of Maryville. She joined
the staff of First Baptist Church Maryville in August 2000 as the KIDS’ FIRST-Mother’s
Day Out Director. She began her journey into preschool ministry at the age of sixteen years old,
where she first taught preschoolers about the love of Jesus. She and her husband, Brian, reside in
Maryville. They have been blessed to raise six children, and the blessings continue with many
wonderful grandchildren. “God has continued to use and develop her skills to train leaders,
teach preschoolers, and minister to the families at First Baptist Church Maryville.”
Jack Dawson Pastoral Care Minister
Jack Dawson is the Minister of Pastoral Care at First Baptist Church of Maryville. He graduated from
Appalachian Bible College in 1975 with a Bachelor of Theology degree. He then received a Master
of Arts in Counseling degree from Covenant Theological Seminary in 1997. He was married to Kathleen
Dawson in 1979. They have three children: Carl, Amber, and Craig. Primary Passion:“Marriage
Counseling and helping individuals in counseling to come to know and follow Jesus.”
Minister of Administration
Dr. Robert Cunningham joined our staff in November 2006 as Minister of Administration after 33
years at Boeing in St. Louis. Robert's father was a Baptist minister in Missouri and Iowa and
thus Robert has a lot of church experience including 20 years in a Sunday School leadership
position with 9 of these year at FBCM where attendance grew at a 25% annual rate. His total
church experience includes serving in almost all leadership positions within the church.
Robert received his BA degree from William Jewell College and his MS and PhD degrees in
physics from the University of Missouri. He stays involved with physics and is currently
president of a Physics Advisory Council for the University of Missouri. He and his wife,
Linda, have two children. Mark has his own physical therapy business in Oregon and Washington
and Jill is an RN in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Caleb Sasser Recreation Ministry Director
Caleb Sasser joined our staff in June 2010 as the Recreation Ministry Director. He is a 2006 graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a degree in Kinesiology. Caleb and his wife, Brittany, were married on August 8th of 2009 and currently reside in Wood River, Illinois. Being a sports fan he has developed a few favorite teams: Baseball- “Go Cardinals!” and Football- “Go Saints!” His favorite college teams are Illinois and Alabama. Caleb enjoys playing sports, being active, and watching movies. He loves Jesus, recreation, and kids and is excited about combining these three passions into ministry. His faith and trust in Christ as his Lord and Savior is realized in his favorite bible verse: “Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The LORD will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the LORD, Because I have sinned against Him, Until He pleads my case And executes justice for me. He will bring me forth to the light; I will see His righteousness.” -Micah 7:8-9
Tim Lawson Minister to College Students
Tim Lawson joined the staff at FBCM in May of 2008 as the Minister to College students.
He is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and is currently pursing a Masters of
Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife Gwen recently
had their first baby, Eli. Tim enjoys spending time with friends and family, being outdoors
and Oklahoma football. He desirers to spiritually develop college students and equip them
to become the next generation of church and spiritual leaders.
John Harris Minister to Adults
John Mark Harris joined the FBCM Staff as our Minister to Adults on April 12, 2009. John graduated from
Dallas Baptist University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biblical Studies and from Southwestern
Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX, in 2004 with a Master of Divinity Degree with Biblical
Languages and a Master of Theology Degree in New Testament in 2008. John is currently a PhD student in
New Testament at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife Beth have one daughter,
Reagan Noel who was born in December 2008. John believes in the vital importance of creating small
group opportunities for adults to connect with each other to accomplish the task of reaching,
teaching, and loving people for the sake of Jesus Christ. John sees our Sunday morning small group
ministry as the backbone of the church, the structure through which life transformation takes place,
and the engine to reach the world with the gospel.
Barry Bruhn Legal Services
Barry R. Bruhn is an attorney with 40 years experience. He and Marilyn are long-time members of
First Baptist Church Maryville. Barry is retired from the practice of law, but has been devoting
time to assist members and others with legal questions they may have. Barry graduated Drury
College, Springfield, Missouri in 1965 and Washington University School of Law in 1968.
He has worked with the St. Louis office of the National Labor Relations Board, Chapman and
Chapman in Granite City, Illinois, Prairie State Legal Services in Ottawa and Peoria, Illinois,
Reed and Bruhn, P.C. in Belleville, Illinois, and for a short time had his own practice in
Granite City.
Mark Jones
Rich Cochran
Dr. Tom Hufty
Paul Byrd
Cindy Sheehan
Jack Dawson
Minister of Administration
Caleb Sasser
Barry Bruhn
