John Lockhart was called to First Baptist Church in August of 1983.  This calling was to his first pastorate.  John was raised in Jackson, Mississippi, and graduated from Mississippi College.  He received his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He has studied pastoral care and counseling in Houston through the Pastoral Care Department of Memorial Hermann Hospital System.  He is currently enrolled in the Academy for Spiritual Formation.

"One of the old confessions of faith declares that our chief end is to love God and enjoy Him forever.  I believe that.  We ought to do that as early as we can and for as long as we can."

John and his wife, Sharon, have two sons, Joshua and Joseph, who both live in the Houston area.

If you have any questions or comments for John, he can be reached at John@fbcrichmond.net

Wiley Parkman joined our staff in January 2011 as our Student Minister.  Born in Houston, his family moved to Fort Bend County in 1987. Wiley feels a strong connection to the church, especially the youth ministry, because he is a product of the wonderful children's and youth programs, having spent most of his childhood, teen and college years as an active member of First Baptist Church.

Wiley graduated from Texas A&M University in College Station with a double degree in History and Psychology. He is currently enrolled at HBU, working toward his Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology. Wiley's wife, Meredith, is a middle school math teacher with Calvary Episcopal School.

If you have any questions or comments for Wiley, he can be reached at wiley@fbcrichmond.net

Sandy Bills rejoined our staff as church secretary in February of 2007.  She previously served for 14 years as the director of our Mother's Day Out Program.  She has been a member of First Baptist Church for a total of 24 years.  Sandy also coordinates our Children's Ministry, kindergarten through fifth grade.

Sandy has two daughters.  Emily is a recent graduate of the University of Colorado and working in Denver. Aubrey recently began studying at University of Colorado. 

You can email Sandy at sandy@fbcrichmond.net

Linda Pate joined our staff in January, 2006, as a part-time secretary.   She was born and raised in Louisiana and moved to Houston in 1977, where she worked as a secretary for six years before retiring to raise children.  She has served as our Church Clerk for numerous years and has been a substitute teacher for our Mother's Day Out program.

Linda and her husband, Don, have been members of our church since 1990.  They have two grown children and two grandchildren.  Kristen is married and lives in Allen, TX.  Drew is married and lives in Longview, TX.
Email Linda at Linda@fbcrichmond.net

Thana Mitchell has been a member of First Baptist since 1996.  In 1998, she became our Financial Secretary.  She has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Sam Houston State University.  As we have grown, Thana has made sure that our financial statements and business relationships are in order.

Thana and her husband J.R. have one grown son and two grandchildren.

Email Thana at Thana@fbcrichmond.net