


James Sparks
Pastor
Bro. James has been the pastor at FBC DeKalb since 2013. James is from Hooks, TX, and has served in churches in Texas & Arkansas since 1999. James has a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M, Texarkana and a Masters Degree from Liberty Theological Seminary in Lynchburg, VA. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Mindy who is a high school English teacher at DeKalb ISD, and together they have three children: Whitt(20), Presley(14), Harper(11).

Worship Pastor
Bro. Russell has been at FBC DeKalb since 2008. Russell grew up all over the state of Texas(his dad was a DPS Officer), but graduated High School from Shallowater, TX. Russell has three grown children: Phillip, Hunter, and Hannah

Youth Pastor
Bro. Josh was born and raised in the DeKalb community, and began serving as the student minister at FBC DeKalb in the fall of 2022. Josh is married to Kristen, a special education teacher at Redwater ISD. Josh and Kristen have a baby girl named Judson who was born on October 13, 2022. Josh holds a bachelor of science in biology from Texas A&M University Texarkana, a master of arts in Christian apologetics from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, and a master of education in education leadership from West Texas A&M University. In addition to serving as the church’s student minister, Josh also serves the students of DeKalb ISD as the 7th grade science and campus horticulture teacher.

Sarah King
Director of Children's Ministries

Kelsey McDermott
Office Manager
Kelsey McDermott has served as the office manager for First Baptist Church DeKalb
since September 2022. She is a proud graduate of the DeKalb High School Class of 2007
and is Bear through and through. She attended Texarkana College and Texas A&M
University- Texarkana. She has been married to Levi McDermott for 15 years and they
have 3 beautiful daughters–Jalena, Livia, and Kaylynn, and one furbaby, Lincoln.

Gail Davis
Special Projects
