Mitch was born in Lubbock, Texas and attended school in Lubbock, Shallowater and Friona. The love of his life is his wife, Mindy. Mitch’s family also includes his daughter Burgundy, her husband, Aaron, and their children, Aidan and Bella. A son, Tanner, and his wife, Cassi, and their sons Kyron and Eli. Mitch graduated from Wayland Baptist University and attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Mitch was saved and baptized at the church he now pastors; First Baptist Church in Shallowater. He considers it a humbling and a blessed experience to pastor the people at First Shallowater.

He loves to travel, read, and ride his motorcycle.

Gary Koerner has served as Minister of Music & Senior Adults at First Baptist since 2000. He leads the 8:30 AM Worship Service and provides leadership for the choirs, ensembles and seasonal music productions. Gary’s goals involve glorifying the Lord through a blended worship experience, engaging people of all ages in meaningful worship and use of their talents. As Senior Adult Minister, Gary coordinates all Senior Adult activities and ministries. His goals include ministering to individuals, providing encouragement and programs specific to Senior Adult needs and interests.

Who are the important people in your life?

My husband Bryan and my two children Ethan and Madison

When did you start working at FBC?
January 2004

What do you like most about your jobs?
I love hanging out with kids and teaching them about God’s love.

          In my free time I like to ...
          go running and hang out with my family

         The scripture that speaks straight to my heart is:
          Philippians 4:4-7

         My life changed when ...
         I became a Christian and surrendered to serving the Lord.

        The most incredible thing about our church is ...
         the Bible truth taught and the fellowship of people

         I wish everyone would ...
         give their whole life to Christ and not hold anything back. Be totally committed to serving Him Daily.

         I was saved ...
         When I asked Jesus into my heart at a Vacation Bible School when I was 8 years old.

I have been part of the Shallowater community since 1979. I am married to Rod and we have three children, Danielle, Josh & Alli. I joined this staff in 2005 as the Kid’s Day Out Director and then was privileged to be asked to minister to the Preschool children of our church. I love children and I want to help them at a very early age to learn to love our Lord and to serve Him! "Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it." (Proverbs 22:6; The Message)

Carrie has been working for First Baptist Church since September of 2003 and has called Shallowater her home since 1992. Carrie is married to Kerry (yes, same name, different spelling) Sarchet, an Inclusion/Content Mastery Teacher in Painview. Kerry and Carrie have four children: Rebekah Sarchet, Josh Durham, Rachel Sarchet, and Carly Durham.

 Who are the important people in your life? Jesus Christ and My family.  Jesus has given me so much, and I don’t even deserve it.  I was born 12 weeks early and he kept me alive even though Dr.’s said there was no hope.   Each day of my life I remember that he has kept me alive for a purpose and I am here on this earth to spread his Word and to let others know what he has done for me.  Each one of my family members has made a big impact in my life as well.  They have all taught me and shaped me into who I am today.  I am the happiest when I am spending time with my family.  I am so lucky and blessed to have my family all living here in Shallowater and Lubbock.  

 When did you start working at FBC? January of 2010.

 What do you like most about your jobs? I love that I get to work with such a great staff.  Each member of our staff is honest, kind, and works very hard.  I never come to work dreading the day.  I look forward to each day and I want to do my very best in all the work that I do.  I never see my work as a “job” it is almost like a hobby that I get to do each day that I love.  Each task I do I enjoy tremendously.

In my free time I like to ...Go to the park with my children, Aidan and Bella.  I love to see their faces light up when they go down the slide or swing on the swing set.  And, I love to watch movies with my husband, Aaron.  Anytime with my husband and children is the best time.

 The scripture that speaks straight to my heart is: 1 Thessalonians 5:16:18 (NIV) 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  The reason this is my favorite verse that speaks straight to my heart is because that is the verse that I have tried to live my life by.  There will be times of trouble and hard circumstances in this life.  But as long as I pray continually and give thanks to God in all circumstances I can never go wrong.  God will see me through any circumstance that comes my way.

 My life changed when ...I had my beautiful children, Aidan and Bella.  My husband and I never knew that we could love someone so much until we met our children.  They are our whole life now.  I think, “How boring my life would be without my children.” 

 The most incredible thing about our church is ...How awesome and powerful our Worship is.  Each Sunday when I go to Worship I feel like I have stepped away from the world and into a new dimension where I can just focus on God.  It is a time of great music and a time of learning and growing with Christ.  I feel like it is just God and me and no one else is around.

I wish everyone would ...have a chance to come and work at the church office one day.  I think that everyone would benefit from seeing how hard our church staff works and how God works through our Church each day, not just on Sundays or Wednesdays.  Each day our church building is a tool to help others that need help, need shelter from the cold or the hot depending on the weather outside, or just simply need a place to come and socialize.  When you are in the church building you just feel the presence of God in each room.

I was saved ...at the age of nine years old.  The Lord had been working in my heart and I knew I was ready.  My mom and dad had been speaking to me about what it meant to be saved and one Wednesday night after church I asked my mom and dad if they would pray the Salvation’s prayer with me.  I prayed that prayer and I felt the Lord coming into my heart.  I rededicated my life to the Lord at age 16 and have not been the same since that day. 

Who are the important people in your life?
Christ, my bride Lexie, my dear children and grandchildren…

When did you start working at FBC?
January 2011

What do you like most about your jobs?
I love seeing the body of Christ connected in Worship, Grow and Serve.

In my free time I like to ...
Serving my community and dining with my bride.

The scripture that speaks straight to my heart is:
John 5:1-15

My life changed when ...
When I accepted a personal and intimate relationship Christ offered
me, transforming my life forever.

The most incredible thing about our church is ...
The love and acceptance of all into the body of Christ.

I wish everyone would ...
Accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and serve Him.

I was saved ...
After my mother died I unknowingly accepted the fact that no one would
ever love me as much. Afterwards my grandfather introduced me to
Christ and I asked Him into my heart at the tender age of 13.

We are so delighted to welcome Richard and his family to our staff, here at First Baptist Church Shallowater.  Richard is married to his wife Carole and they have four children, Jackson, Bentley, Quincy, and Sarah.

Bryce joined the staff at First Shallowater in March of 2011. His favorite verse is John 3:8 and he loves Bleu Cheese Burgers.