Leadership

I grew up in Elgin, Oklahoma.  My father was a full-blood Cherokee and my mother was Comanche and Kiowa.  Though I come from a proud Native heritage, my family was ravaged by alcohol and drug addiction.  As a “teenage mom”, my mother was in and out of my life and would eventually pass away at the age of 40 due to an alcohol related illness.  My father was completely absent from my life.

Through all the turmoil, pain and abandonment, there was hope.  God put people in my life that would love me unconditionally and model the love of Jesus Christ.  It was that love and example that would lead me to give my life to the Lord on November 1, 1990 at Cameron University in Lawton, OK.  It became clear to me that God had been with me through the storms of my life and that each circumstance was instrumental in shaping God’s plan for me.  I have been called to preach the love, hope and comfort that can only come through the gospel of Jesus Christ. I seek to honor God and teach Scripture to all people by deep and practical teaching of Scripture with relevant humor, stories, and principles for life change.  God has given me a clear and passionate vision to fulfill the calling of Colossians 1:28, to present everyone perfect in Christ.

I married my beautiful bride, Jennifer, in 2002 and the Lord has blessed us with two daughters (Hannah & Sarah) and a son (Mikah).  I completed my B.S. in Ethics at Mid-America Christian University OKC, OK.

My ministry journey includes youth ministry from 1991–2010, Evangelist/Speaker from 2010–2012, Associate Pastor of Families from 2012–2014 and Senior Pastor at Cherokee Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, OK from 2014 – 2020.

I enjoy spending time with my family and participating in my children’s activities, traveling and making memories.  I LOVE to golf!!!  I also love reading leadership books and classic debate; a love that stemmed from being on the collegiate speech and debate team at Cameron University. I also love some quiet time in a hammock.

Troy  previously served as Director of Missions for the Comanche Cotton Baptist Association here in Lawton. He has been the Senior Pastor of five Oklahoma Baptist Churches. Troy became a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 29 while serving in the United States Air Force. He also served the United States Secret Service as a K-9 Bomb Dog Handler for the President. Troy has been married to his Bride LaRae for 40 years and they have three children, and 8 grandchildren. LaRae currently serves as the Executive Director of the Pregnancy Resource Center here in Lawton. Troy is passionate about preaching and teaching God’s Word, discipleship, and connecting people to Christ and His church.

Born in a Christian Family, I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior at the age of 7 years old during vacation bible school. The Lord has blessed me with a beautiful wife and an excellent partner in life, April and 3 beautiful kids, Josiah, Jeremiah & Gabriela.

Coming from a family of musicians, music has always been a massive part of my life. It wasn’t until one night as a teenager during a youth camp that I started to feel God’s calling for Worship; of course, at first, I didn’t know what to make of it. I struggle with the decision to follow that calling that I had in youth camp until one day when I finally got on my knees and surrender that calling to Him. I didn’t know what, how, or when but I knew that if I were obedient and answer YES God, He would show me the way.

And so, it all started by using the talents He gave me. I started to learn to lead as a worshiper. I thank God for all the people He has put in my life and continues to do, those individuals mentored me and helped me to be the man I am today. I am continually growing. The future is not for us to know but for us to trust in Him. As part of our ministry, April and I work as a team, we train and encourage those behind us to follow God’s calling, and we have been very blessed to see many of our friends answer that call.

I was born and raised in Lawton, OK. I grew up going to FBC Lawton and started serving in the children’s ministry when I was twelve years old. I attended Oklahoma Baptist University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Cross-Cultural Ministry with an emphasis in Children’s Ministry in May of 2021. While attending OBU, I interned at FBC Fletcher and Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee, OK. I started vocationally serving as children’s minister at IBC, while in college.

Some of my passions in ministry include: teaching kiddos deep theological truths in ways that are developmentally appropriate, equipping and going alongside parents as they train their kiddos up in the way they should go, intentionally investing in the lives of those in our church and community…all while have lots of fun along the way!

I am currently pursuing a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary online and will graduate in May of 2024. I truly love studying and learning about the Bible.  

I also love music, iced coffee, chips and queso, photography, hanging out with friends and family and spoiling my fur babies Dallas and Baylor Bear!  

I grew up in Cyril, Oklahoma. I am the son of a farmer and a school teacher and was raised in church. Some of my favorite childhood memories include talking theology with my grandfather on his living room floor.

I went to Cameron University where I graduated with a BA in Communication/Public Relations. Shortly after graduating, I accepted a lending position at a local bank.

In 2014, my father passed away unexpectedly. While working through this loss, I found the area of study known as “Christian Apologetics”. Shortly after discovering apologetics, I began helping with youth in Cyril. I soon fell in love with student ministry and began teaching students weekly.

In 2016, I was called to formally study apologetics at Oklahoma Baptist University. I completed my masters in 2018. Later that year, I resigned from the bank to focus on apologetics and grow a small business I started in college.

On April 17, 2021, I married my best friend, Courtney, who I met on a blind date 4 years earlier. We enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends.

In my spare time you will find me on the golf course. I also am a life-long football fanatic, so when it is too cold to golf, I am watching football. Lastly, I am a life-long book nerd. I am currently working on a D Ed. Min in Apologetics at SWBTS with no plans to stop going to school after that.

My ministry here at First Baptist Church Lawton began in June of 2011. My love for the Lord is evident in serving the church with energy, passion and enthusiasm. In 2021, I transitioned to the church administrator and love this new position and opportunity as I help the pastor with administrative oversight of the church. I am currently studying to be a Certified Church Administrator (CCA) through The Church Network, formally known as the National Association of Church Business Administrators, and hope to complete the certification by the end of 2023. 

I have served full-time in Oklahoma churches as worship pastor, minister of music and associate minister of music for over twenty-five years. Since 1995, I have been an active member and occasional soloist of the Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma and president of this organization during the 2019-2021 season and led worship in revivals, conferences and at the Oklahoma State Evangelism Conference.

I am a native of Wellington, Kansas and huge Jayhawks basketball fan. Heather and I have two wonderful boys: Lane (2007) and Cade (2009).  I received my Bachelor's Degree in Church Music from Oklahoma Baptist University and completed course work towards a Master's Degree through Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and continued education through many other specified areas of training and conferences. Through Liberty University, I also completed a Certificate of Worship Leadership and a Certificate of Music and Worship.

Life verse: II Timothy 4:5 "But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."