• Michael Wood

    Lead Pastor

  • Tim Spencer

    Executive Pastor

  • Jason McGuffie

    Calhoun Campus & Multiplication Pastor

  • Justin Clark

    Fairbanks Campus Pastor

  • Kathy Ray

    Lead Pastor's Ministry Assistant

  • Debbie Robertson

    Office/Human Resources Director

  • Pattie Diaz

    Operations Manager

  • Warren Majure

    Staff Assistant

  • Curtis Simpson

    Finance Director

  • Brenda McPhearson

    Financial Assistant

  • Phillip Thigpen

    Thrift Store Director

  • Todd Sherwin

    Counseling Center Director

  • Taylor Lollis

    Counseling Center Office Manager

  • Casey Harold

    Global Worship Pastor

  • Johnny Simpson

    Worship Administrator

  • Cory Bolen

    Minister of Media & Communcation

  • Ross Buchanan

    Global Creative Minister

  • Jacob Knight

    Creative Associate

  • Garrett Bufford

    Production Resident

  • Lexi Cannon

    Media & Communication Resident

  • Drew Coker

    Worship & Missions Minister

  • Corbin McCormick

    Fairbanks Campus Worship Leader/Administration Director

  • Enrique Magana

    Worship Associate

  • Mark Fenn

    Associate Pastor

  • Misti Stone

    Median Adults & Database Administrator

  • Michele Pray

    Church Office Assistant

  • Woods Watson

    Adult Groups Pastor

  • Janet Hollis

    Senior Adult/Pastoral Care Ministry Assistant

  • Evan McFarland

    Discipleship Pastor

  • Adriane White

    Discipleship Ministry Assistant

  • Hope Trahern

    Young Adult Director

  • EJ Holder

    College Ministry Resident

  • Rhonda Moody

    Connections Coordinator

  • Rick McPhearson

    Compassionate Ministries Coordinator

  • Jana Hutzler

    School-Based Ministries Director

  • Katelyn Weems

    Broaden Horizons Administrator

  • Elizabeth Coker

    Broaden Horizons Discipleship Coordinator

  • Mark Cole

    Global Student Pastor

  • Garrett Hodges

    High School Minister

  • Clayton Cox

    Student Director - Calhoun Campus

  • Chris Burton

    Interim Children's Minister

  • Chanda Montague

    Preschool Director

  • Ellie Murphy

    Childcare Coordinator

  • Madisyn King

    Children's Ministry Associate

  • Amanda Neck

    MDO Director

  • Ashley Gosdin

    MDO Assistant & Resource Coordinator

  • Stephanie Coker

    WEE School Director

  • Stacy Gibson

    WEE School Assistant

  • Sherri Tidwell

    Calhoun Campus Children's Director

  • Lucas Tolar

    Fairbanks Campus Student Minister

  • Bill Smith

    Building Services Director

  • Joe Scarborough

    Building Specialist

  • Robert Frost

    Building Specialist

  • Nigel Stroud

    Maintenance Specialist

  • Lillie Eddy

    Housekeeping Coordinator

  • Jamileh Babero

    Housekeeper & Kitchen Assistant

  • NaShaun Batiste

    Housekeeping

Michael Wood

Lead Pastor

Michael has served as the Lead Pastor at First West since 2014. Michael and Abby came to First West from Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas in 2009 to serve as the Student Pastor. After serving five years as the Student Pastor, he stepped into the Lead Pastor role. 

Michael’s heart is to see people changed by the Gospel and help them live out their Christ-centered purpose. His desire is to see to it that no one misses the grace of God. 

Michael was licensed to the ministry at Faith Baptist Church in Wichita Falls, Texas, and ordained at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. He went to Oklahoma Baptist University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Ministry. He also earned a Master of Arts degree in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently working on his Doctorate of Ministry degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

He enjoys playing sports of all kinds, hunting (especially turkey hunting), fishing, and pulling for the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. Michael and Abby are the proud parents of Gavin, Cannon, Asher, and Karis. 

Tim Spencer

Executive Pastor

Tim serves as Executive Pastor at First West, previously serving on the Senior Team at Collierville FBC outside Memphis, Tennessee for over fifteen years. Tim also served as adjunct instructor of Organizational Leadership and Communication at Union University’s Department of Continuing Studies in Jackson, Tennessee, for ten years.

As Executive Pastor, Tim oversees day-to-day operations and provides leadership to First West ministries and staff.

Tim says, “It’s incredible to be a part of what God is doing at First West! Suzy and I are excited about working with Lead Pastor Michael Wood and the entire leadership team to share God’s love in Northeast Louisiana, New Orleans and the world. We are praying for great things. Things that only God can do. We have the faithful expectation that First West will be energized for Christ-centered worship, community and service.”

Tim earned a B.A. from Union University, M.A. in Communication and Educational Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and M.A. in Public Policy from Regent University.

Tim and his wife, Suzy, have been married for 25 years.  Together they have three children—William, Daniel and Katie. Tim’s hobbies include home projects, classic movies, American history and basketball.

Jason McGuffie

Calhoun Campus & Multiplication Pastor

Justin Clark

Fairbanks Campus Pastor

Kathy Ray

Lead Pastor's Ministry Assistant

Debbie Robertson

Office/Human Resources Director

Debbie Robertson joined the First West team in October 1998, serving first in Student Ministry and later transitioning to the area of church administration. In addition to serving in the area of human resources, Debbie works closely with the Personnel Committee, Committee on Committees and Long Range Planning. A graduate of Louisiana Tech, Debbie enjoys time with her family, home improvement projects, writing and editing, and quilting.

Pattie Diaz

Operations Manager

Warren Majure

Staff Assistant

Curtis Simpson

Finance Director

Brenda McPhearson

Financial Assistant

Brenda joined the First West Finance team in 2016.  She also married her husband Rick on January 1st of that same year.  Rick is the Minister of Administration and Education at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church where Brenda serves as Women’s Minister.  She teaches a women’s Bible Study class and enjoys singing in the choir.  They have 4 children and 7 grandchildren.

Phillip Thigpen

Thrift Store Director

Phillip joined First West as the Thrift Store Director on January 1, 2015 and has led businesses in North Louisiana for 18 years.  He graduated from Ruston High School in 1990 and then from Louisiana Tech in 1995. Phillip has been a member of First West since 2008 and was ordained as a deacon in 2014.  He is married to Bonnie Nell Prewitt and they have one daughter, Faith.

Todd Sherwin

Counseling Center Director

Todd joined the First West team in 2001 and currently serves as Director of the First West Counseling Center. He holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from Louisiana Tech University. Todd is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), an LPC Supervisor (LPC-S), and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Todd’s desire is to see individuals, families, and marriages thrive through the hope and grace of the Gospel. In addition to counseling, Todd provides oversight to the ministries of Celebrate Recovery and GriefShare at First West. In his spare time, Todd enjoys various outdoor pursuits, sports, and spending time with his wife and two children.

Taylor Lollis

Counseling Center Office Manager

Taylor joined the First West Counseling Center team in 2018 and serves as the Office Manager. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Louisiana State University. In her spare time, Taylor enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and dog.

Casey Harold

Global Worship Pastor

Johnny Simpson

Worship Administrator

Cory Bolen

Minister of Media & Communcation

Ross Buchanan

Global Creative Minister

Jacob Knight

Creative Associate

Garrett Bufford

Production Resident

Lexi Cannon

Media & Communication Resident

Drew Coker

Worship & Missions Minister

Drew, born in Monroe, Louisiana, serves as the Worship Leader at our Calhoun Campus. He grew up in sub-Saharan Africa with his family serving as missionaries. He is passionate about leading and equipping people to worship The Lord through music, prayer, the Word, and living life for His glory.  

Since being called to ministry (2007) he has been ordained (2014) and served the church as worship leader, music minister, college pastor, missions pastor, associate pastor, and in other various roles. He came to Calhoun from serving at Immanuel Baptist Church in Olive Branch, MS. He studied vocal music at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA, where he earned a Master of Music degree.  

Drew is married to Elizabeth, who is the Discipleship Coordinator with Broaden Horizons. Together they have a precious baby girl, Sybil. The greatest joy in his life is to serve the Lord along with his family.

Corbin McCormick

Fairbanks Campus Worship Leader/Administration Director

Enrique Magana

Worship Associate

Mark Fenn

Associate Pastor

A Morgan City native, Mark Fenn joined the First West team in April of 1992 as youth pastor, serving in that ministry for 11 years, followed by five years as senior adults pastor. In 2008, Mark transitioned into his current role as Global Ministries Pastor, working to mobilize First West to reach the nations with the Gospel.

Mark says, “I believe every Christian should be involved in using their gifts to fulfill the Great Commission, from their neighborhood to the ends of the Earth. I want to help the members of First West be equipped and mobilized to do their part in making that happen.”

Mark earned his B.A from Louisiana College, masters of divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and doctor of ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

In the community, Mark is known as the P.A. announcer for West Monroe Rebels football as well as a team chaplain. Mark enjoys time with his family, hunting, fishing, golf, watching sports, and reading. Mark and his wife Ann married in 1988 and have one son, Caleb, who serves in the U.S. Navy.

Misti Stone

Median Adults & Database Administrator

Misti joined the team in November of 2018. Her background in corporate database training and development lends itself well to her support and maintenance of First West’s church management software. She also works with our Discipleship team to support LIFE Group needs and is often seen with a camera in her hands!

Michele Pray

Church Office Assistant

Woods Watson

Adult Groups Pastor

Since April of 2004, Woods has served on the staff at First West. He leads the church’s Adult Groups, Senior Adults, and Pastoral Care Ministries. He is grateful to partner with the church family in ministry to make sure no one misses the grace of God.

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Watson received the Bachelor of Arts degree from Samford University and the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has also studied at the Torchbearer Bible schools in England (Capernwray) and Sweden (Holsby Brunn).

He and Anita have six children. For 43 years, Dr. Watson has served in local church ministry including as an inner-city missionary, as a church planter for three churches, as a church stewardship consultant and as a senior pastor for 15 years. In his spare time, he teaches at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Extension in Monroe and the Perspectives course, and volunteers with the Northeast Louisiana Reentry Coalition, the Freed Men Ministry and the Ministry of Inspirational Therapy. He also likes running, reading/ writing, and helping Anita at Northeast Baptist School, where she is principal.

Janet Hollis

Senior Adult/Pastoral Care Ministry Assistant

Evan McFarland

Discipleship Pastor

Evan joined the staff at First West as the Student Pastor in August of 2018.  He was licensed, ordained, and started his ministry at First Baptist Church of Bossier City. He surrendered to ministry there after feeling called by God from his professional career into a life of full-time ministry. He served there as the Student Pastor. He graduated from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, with a Master of Arts in Christian Education degree, with concentration in student ministry. Evan received his bachelor’s degree from LSU-Shreveport.  Evan grew up in the town of Doyline, Louisiana and is married to Kaiti. They have three children, Wilder, Adeline, and Hazel.

Adriane White

Discipleship Ministry Assistant

Hope Trahern

Young Adult Director

EJ Holder

College Ministry Resident

Rhonda Moody

Connections Coordinator

Rhonda joined the First West staff in August 2010. Rhonda has a degree in Secondary Education and a Masters in Counseling. She enjoys using her gifts by leading Bible studies and pouring into the lives of women. She feels blessed to be in ministry where she has the privilege to help women grow in their faith. She is married to Derek Moody and they have three children.

Rick McPhearson

Compassionate Ministries Coordinator

Jana Hutzler

School-Based Ministries Director

Jana Hutzler is the Director of School-Based Ministries for First West. She has been with First West Counseling Center since 2008 where she developed and implemented Project HELP, a school-based counseling, life skills, and parenting initiative. Jana project directed the OPSB 21st-Century Community Learning Centers Grant (2013 -2016) in partnership with Broaden Horizons. Presently Jana oversees the daily operations and partnership development with local churches and businesses for the 3 school-based ministries at First West – Broaden Horizons, Kids Hope, and Project HELP. She is happily married to Charles Hutzler and together they have 4 adult children and 6 grandchildren.

Katelyn Weems

Broaden Horizons Administrator

Katelyn Weems is the Administrator for Broaden Horizons. She joined the Broaden Horizons team in September 2016. She graduated from Louisiana Tech with a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing. She has strong roots in the ministry field having grown up ‘living’ at Seeker Springs in Eros, LA.  Katelyn has a heart for business development, outreach & marketing, and school-based ministries. She and her husband, Jamie Weems, both serve in the First West Orchestra on Sunday mornings and together they have a handsome baby boy, Thomas Weems.

Elizabeth Coker

Broaden Horizons Discipleship Coordinator

Elizabeth has been in ministry and local missions for over 13 years, serving as After School Ministry Director and Ministry Coordinator at Seeker Springs Ministry from 2012-2020 and now Discipleship Coordinator for Broaden Horizons. She joined the Broaden Horizons team September 2020, after graduating from Louisiana Tech University. Elizabeth is married to Drew Coker, who also serves at First West as Worship and Missions Associate, and together, they have a beautiful daughter, Sybil.

Mark Cole

Global Student Pastor

Over the past 20+ years he has served students, kids and families in churches in Tennessee, Texas & Louisiana. While serving the local church in Baton Rouge, LA, Mark was also the Head Middle School Football Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Parkview Baptist School; a South Louisiana Football factory that ran the triple option. Currently, he is the “voice of the Patriots” as he serves as the PA announcer at West Ridge Middle School for Home football games.

Cole graduated from Ouachita Baptist University and holds a Masters Degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife J.Jaye (who also holds a Masters Degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary) have twin daughters, Corbin & Mallie and 2 sons, Titan and Hikman. “TEAM COLE” are loyal LSU fans and HUGE March Madness enthusiasts.  ESPN, gumbo and laughter are always in large supply at the Cole house.

Garrett Hodges

High School Minister

Clayton Cox

Student Director - Calhoun Campus

Chris Burton

Interim Children's Minister

Chanda Montague

Preschool Director

Ellie Murphy

Childcare Coordinator

Madisyn King

Children's Ministry Associate

Amanda Neck

MDO Director

Ashley Gosdin

MDO Assistant & Resource Coordinator

Stephanie Coker

WEE School Director

Stacy Gibson

WEE School Assistant

Sherri Tidwell

Calhoun Campus Children's Director

Lucas Tolar

Fairbanks Campus Student Minister

Bill Smith

Building Services Director

Joe Scarborough

Building Specialist

Robert Frost

Building Specialist

Nigel Stroud

Maintenance Specialist

Lillie Eddy

Housekeeping Coordinator

Jamileh Babero

Housekeeper & Kitchen Assistant

NaShaun Batiste

Housekeeping

Adults at the Calhoun Campus

At our Calhoun campus, we want to connect adults with opportunities to worship, build community, and serve. It's our threads and it's who we are. LIFE Groups are a great way to build community. These groups serve as the bridge to a deeper commitment to the life of the church. We have many groups for you to plug into. Groups meet at our campus location on Sunday and in homes during the week.

We also have ways you can serve. There's a place for you! First West is here to help plug you in to helping us see to it that no one misses the grace of God.

MINISTRY CONTACT

Jason McGuffie
Campus Pastor

Email

MEETING TIMES

Sundays
Worship 10:30 a.m.

LIFE Groups
Sundays
9:00 a.m.

Loading...