First Baptist Church of Gonzales, Tx

click to enlarge

Chris Irving - Pastor

E-mail Chris

Howdy! I am the pastor of First Baptist Church of Gonzales, TX. My family and I are excited and count ourselves blessed to live in this great historic community that is rich with Texas tradition. I was born in Harlingen, TX but grew up in George West, TX. I am a South Texas native and I love this region. After graduation from George West High School, I attended Texas A&M University and earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. Following college, my wife and I moved to Fort Worth, TX to attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where I earned my Master of Divinity degree. I am currently a doctoral candidate in the docotral studies program at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary located in Kansas City, MO. I am currently in my 11^th year of ministry, 6^th year as a pastor. I have pastored two other churches in that time, Muldoon Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church of Pearsall, both in Texas. 

Amber and I met while working on summer staff at the Glorieta Conference Center near Santa Fe, NM. We have been married for 9 ½ years. Amber is a home-maker right now, but has been an educator before our family came. Amber attended the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor in Belton, TX. We have five children...Matt (15), Jake (12), Karalyn (5), and Katelyn & Kylie, twin girls born April 16, 2010. Oh my, I almost forgot the family dog, Zeke. I’m sure you will hear him barking throughout town! Matt & Jake came to us through adoption in 2008.

It is my prayer that if you don't know Jesus as your Savior & Lord, you'll listen to how He can change your life. If you do know Jesus, it is my prayer that you are living for Him and running the race as hard as you can. If you do know Him, but haven't spent time with Him, it is my prayer that you will experience a time of refreshing and renewal in & through Him.

I have grown to love the First Baptist Family and can’t wait to get to know our new community and have the opportunity to love you too. I pray that you will come and join us as we strive to reach our highest potential in Christ for His glory and His honor!

My ministry philosophy is this..."Share, Care, and Preach for life-change to the glory of God."

My favorite verse of scripture...well, how can I narrow it down?

Psalm 139, Psalm 51, Isaiah 26:8, John 3:16-18, Luke 17:10, Acts 3:19, Acts 4:12, Ephesians 3:20-21, & 2 Timothy 4:2

Recommended Reading List:

~The Reason for God – Timothy Keller                                    ~The Leadership Challenge – Kouzes & Posner

~Broken In The Right Place – Alan E. Nelson                            ~When God Builds a Church – Bob Russell

~The Pursuit of Holiness – Jerry Bridges                                  ~Twelve Challenges Churches Face – Mark Dever

~Humlity – C.J. Mahaney                                                        ~Mind Siege – Tim Lahaye

~Taking Your Church to the Next Level – Gary McIntosh          ~Bonhoeffer – Eric Metaxas

~Pastoring Men – Patrick Morley                                             ~Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire – Jim Cymbala

~Radical – David Platt                                                             ~Fresh Faith – Jim Cymbala

~Transformational Church – Ed Stetzer & Thom Rainer              ~Fresh Power – Jim Cymbala

~The Jesus Test – Robert Barge

If you would like  to follow my blog you can find it at www.pc-christfollower.com.

click to enlarge

Steve Faulkner - Senior Associate Pastor & Worship

E-mail Steve

Steve Faulkner earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and the Master of Church Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.  Steve has served as Minister of Music and Associate Pastor in several other churches throughout Texas, as well as having served on the faculty of Howard Payne University as an Instructor of Voice.  He has been serving First Baptist Church, Gonzales since 2003.   Steve also served our church from 1974-76 as Minister of Music and Youth.  He is married to Sophia, who teaches 3rd grade in the Gonzales Independent School System.  Steve and Sophie have two grown children and 2 grandchildren.

click to enlarge

Leslie Ince - Preschool/Children’s Ministry Coordinator

E-mail Leslie

Leslie Ince has been a member of First Baptist since 1981 when her family moved here from Midland, Texas.  She began her ministry in the church by helping in many different areas of the church, from choir ministry, to serving on numerous ministry teams, to being the VBS director for the past 10 years.  In 2003 she began serving as the Nursery Coordinator and then in 2004 began serving on staff as part-time Preschool/Children's Ministry Coordinator.  She is married to William, who works for the City of Gonzales as Code Enforcer.  They have three children, Kayla and son-in-law, Kris, Michael, and Victoria.