Stephen K. Swofford

Senior Pastor

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I began my ministry with First Baptist Rockwall in March of 1989. I earned my Bachelor’s degree from Dallas Baptist University and my Master's Degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.  Though I grew up in Fort Worth, I've spent my entire ministry in the Dallas area.   Before coming to Rockwall I was the Minister of Youth and Assistant Pastor of the Inglewood Baptist Church in Grand Prairie. After that I pastored both Trinity Baptist Church and Pleasant Grove First Baptist Church in Dallas.  

My wife (Brenda) and I were married in 1973, and we have two grown sons – Timothy and his wife, Nikki, and Mark.  When I'm not pastoring you will often find me on my motorcycle with Brenda!

Michael J. Manley

Minister of Music and Worship

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About me:  I became church pianist at age 12, accompanying the adult choir and the worship services.  I was director of a 45-voice children’s choir in my home church as a 10^th grader.  I was student conductor of high school choir and band as well as drum major.  During and after graduating from Hardin-Simmons University and Southwestern Seminary with Bachelor and Master degrees in Church Music, I served churches in Texas and Oklahoma as well as serving seven years as a music missionary to Zimbabwe.  I have served FBC, Rockwall for 21 years with my wife, Fran, having reared three wonderful children here:   Mary Michele, Mindy Eileen, and Michael David.  We are blessed with seven wonderful grandchildren.

What I want for our church:  I long for our church to grow in seeking the Lord through both private and corporate worship.  This results in passionate, God-glorifying worship that empowers evangelism, ministry, and discipleship among the First Family, which in turn will impact the Lake Ray Hubbard area and all the world from generation to generation. (Matt. 22:36-40)

Don French

Business Administrator

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About me:  Barnabas is my favorite biblical character. I like that he was an "encourager" to so many in the New Testament church. I view myself as attempting to be the same sort of man to those that God places in my life. Originally from Louisiana, God used my management background to move me to the Dallas area in 1987. Since that time I have served in various roles with both non-profit and for-profit organizations. I met my lovely bride Angie in 1989, and we have two teenagers, Emma and Wyatt.

Jesse Crouch

Minister to Senior Adults

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About me: God’s Spirit spoke to me as a 4^th grader about asking Jesus Christ to be my Savior and making a life-long commitment to Him. This commitment led to God’s call to ministry through His body, the church. The Lord extended this invitation to me while I was at North Texas State University. God’s call has led me to serve in six churches in North Dakota, Nebraska and Texas thus far, being equipped for ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In June 1997, God blessed me by guiding me to FBC Rockwall, where I have served in several education and administration ministries. My wife Lou and I have four children and six grandchildren.

What I want for our church: The purpose of our church has long been to fulfill the “Great Commission” by bringing people to Christ, building them up in Christ and sending them out as Christ’s disciples to fulfill His commission to His church. There is no greater purpose for our church. My hope and prayer is that we will never lose focus of doing this with people of all ages and walks of life.  There is no greater joy than fulfilling Christ’s commission by bringing people to Him and helping them grow up in Him so that they can in turn bring other people to Him. The most meaningful thing we can do as God’s people is to impregnate our community, nation and world with the good news about our Savior Jesus Christ.

Mike Wilkinson

Minister to Young and Median Adults

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About me: “Follow me.” These words of Jesus to Matthew (Matt 9:9) also describe God’s call on my life—not many details at the beginning, but what an adventure! A homegrown guy (from Euless, TX), I have served in churches in Little Rock, AR and Bryan/College Station, TX before coming to FBCR in 2007. I have worked in both single adult and missions ministries (taking me to places in Mexico you’ve never heard of, to Austria, Turkey, and places in between) prior to the adult education ministry here. I have been married to Terri since 1984 and have two children, Wes and Leigh Ann.

What I want for our church: What I want for our church is two-fold. First, I desire to see us embrace a deeper understanding of the significance of Jesus’ cross and its impact on us, individually and corporately. Jesus’ finished work in His death and resurrection not only provides salvation, but it also makes transformation possible. I wish to see us be radically different people. This leads to the second thing I want for our church: to be strong followers of Jesus Christ, disciples who truly reflect Christ’s image, and disciples to who take His life-saving and life-transforming message to all peoples, locally, nationally, and internationally.

Cory Liebrum

Minister to Students

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About me: I've had the privilege of being on staff at FBCR since May 1999. After graduating from Howard Payne University, I started my journey in Rockwall on the student ministry staff as an associate. I completed my masters degree at Dallas Baptist University during that time, and then was privileged to be given the responsibility of being the minister to students in January of 2002. Outside of our student ministry I enjoy attending Dallas Mavericks games with my brother & working every spring with my dad in the golf shop at The Masters golf tournament (and no-I can't get you tickets).

What I want for our church: My desire is that as we continue to grow in number at FBCR we would not lose intimate, close relationships with one another that make our fellowship so precious. In our student ministry we are striving to produce fully devoted followers of Christ when they graduate high school & we believe that is best done in the context of a small group Bible study. These small groups serve as a support system for our students that can be an example to our entire church body of how to maintain close relationships which make our church unique.

Alexia Rimmer

Minister to Children

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About me:  A member of the First Family at FBCR for 10 years before joining the staff as Minister to Children, I am a testimony to the FBC philosophy, “Bring them in, Grow them up and Send them out!”  As a graduate of the School of Music at Hardin Simmons University, I taught as an educator in the Rockwall School District at Jones Elementary School’s music program prior to accepting the full-time Minister to Children position here at FBC Rockwall.  I have been married to Duane Rimmer for 33 years and God has blessed us with three amazing daughters - Adrienne, Elyse and Meredith.

What I want for our church:  It is my desire that we equip our children with knowledge and love for who Jesus is, and for that knowledge and love to bloom into their desire to follow Him in a personal relationship - to have them so grounded in the truth, love and joy of the gospel that it is the most natural step for them to receive Christ as their Savior. Because we are all His “kids,” it doesn't hurt for the process to be fun and exciting, and for each visit to FBCR to be the highlight of our week, so that we can in turn spill our love and joy of Him to reach all we come into contact with!  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.   Eph. 5:2

Shelley Brown

Minister to Preschool

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About me:    Investing in the lives of preschoolers has been close to my heart for a long time. It was through the loving witness of my Grandmother when I myself was in preschool, that I first heard about the wonderful news of Jesus Christ! As I reflect on those formative years, I can see how the Lord began to mold me from such an early age to know Him through a relationship with Jesus Christ. The fact that He has now called me to minister to preschoolers is such an incredible testimony to the way He works in our lives! My husband Chris and I have been members of FBCR since 1995. We have three children: Katie, Brooke and Will.

What I want for our church:   After graduating from East Texas State University, I taught in a high school setting for over 16 years, but my passion was always to make known the Word of God to the tender hearts of preschoolers. I have a vision that the FBCR preschool ministry would be used to partner with parents to prepare our preschoolers for a life-long relationship with Jesus! Like Mary sitting at the feet of our Lord, it's my desire that our little ones are exposed to the truth that, "only one thing is needed" - our Lord Jesus Christ. (Luke 10:42)

Martin Jones

Assistant Pastor

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About me:      “What God orders, God pays for!” That statement has been an ongoing reassurance to me ever since my family and I stepped out in faith to leave our home, job and family in England and moved to Texas to enter full time ministry. A commercial attorney in the UK for 11 years, I moved to Rockwall in the spring of 2007 to pursue a ThM at Dallas Theological Seminary, and to prepare for a preaching and teaching ministry in the pastorate. I joined the FBCR staff as assistant pastor in January 2010. I have been married to Fiona since 1998, and we have two children: Nathan and Olivia.

What I want for our church: My greatest desire is that we would recognize the holiness of God and passionately live in such a way that brings Him the greatest glory through our relationship with Jesus Christ. My hope for our church is that we would be a body of men and women with a Biblical understanding of the majesty of the triune God, reflecting and teaching His grace to whoever we encounter, whether at home or at work; whether nationally or internationally. Whatever we do, may it all be done for the glory of God [1 Cor 10:31].