Dr. James C. Elder, Jr (Pastor)
Jimmy and Roxann Elder came to First Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia early in August 2003. The Elders bring loving hearts and an abiding faith to First Baptist, often opening their home for Bible studies, meetings and other gatherings. Jimmy is a graduate of Mercer University, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Princeton Theological Seminary. He has been and remains involved in denominational and civic leadership; but the priority of the Elders’ lives remains their deep love for the local church.The Elders have two sons. J.C. (James Charles, III) is married to Katherine Casey from Kingsport, Tennessee. J.C. is an architect in Denver, Colorado; Kat is a school teacher. John Christopher works for AT & T.
The guiding passage of scripture for Jimmy’s life is from Isaiah 40:31, But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Jimmy enjoys the gym (especially swimming), gardening, reading and being with people.
Rev. Keenan Franklin (Minister of Music and Worship)-
Keenan was born in Lexington, Kentucky where he grew up in a Christian home with parents that were very active in their local church. At the age of 19 he gave his life to Christ and at 20 felt a calling in to full-time Christian service. After transferring from the University of Kentucky to Cumberland College(now University of the Cumberlands) , he earned his Bachelor in Music with a focus in church music. After college he went to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned a Master in Church Music degree. While in school he served in churches in Kentucky and Indiana as minister of music. His first position after seminary was for nine and half years at First Baptist Church of Lawrenceville, Georgia as the Minister of Music and Senior Adults. In fall of 2000 Keenan came to serve First Baptist Church of Columbus as the Minister of Music and Worship.
“It has been an honor to serve in this historic Baptist church with so much talent and mind for missions. My goal is to get as many people as possible to use their gift of music for the glory of God and for us as a church to have a true encounter with God every time we worship.”
Keenan has been married to Angel Franklin of Lexington, Kentucky since July 26, 1985. Keenan and Angel have two daughters, Brooke and Heather.
Rev. Myron Douglas (Minister of Education)-
A native of North Carolina, Myron received his Associate and Bachelor’s degrees in music from Wingate College (now Wingate University) before attending New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned his Master of Church Music. After Myron and his wife Babbs came to Columbus in 1982, he served a sister church as Minister of Music until 1997 when he became Minister to Children here at First Baptist.
In 2004 he accepted the responsibilities of Minister of Education at First Baptist. As well as providing guidance to the full range of Sunday School classes, FBC is blessed to offer multiple small group opportunities which meet both at the church facilities and around Columbus.
Having invested his life in the Columbus community, Myron also serves on several boards with education and arts interests.
Myron is married to Babbs Smith Douglas of Angier, NC and they have two children: Geoffrey, a graduate student at Texas State, San Marcos and Laura, a junior at Samford University, Birmingham, AL.
Rev. Jeffrey Howard (Missions Ministry Coordinator)
Jeff came to First Baptist in May of 2008 through the residency program sponsored by the McAfee School of Theology, where he completed his Master of Divinity. As the Missions Ministry Coordinator, Jeff organizes and facilitates opportunities for the church to be involved in missional activities. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Religion at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. As a Samford student, he met his wonderful wife, Molly. Jeff and Molly have one child, their beautiful daughter, Anna. Prior to coming to First Baptist, Jeff served as pastor for two other congregations in Georgia.
Rev. Brandon Strozier (Minister to Students)
Brandon came to First Baptist in the spring of 2004, five days after completing his undergraduate degree at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. In May 2009, Brandon graduated with a Master’s in Theology from McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia. Brandon is married to the lovely Sara (Powell) Strozier. In ministry, Brandon and his youth embrace Ephesians 4: 1-3. Through his interaction with students of Muscogee County, he hopes to remind them of the love, forgiveness and relationship we can find in Jesus Christ, as well as open their eyes to see the opportunities for Christian service and leadership in the world around them.
