Music Minister and Pastor, Walt Brown
Walt is a native of Louisiana. He has been in the ministry since 1983 serving churches from coast to coast. Walt was saved at age 11 and called to the ministry at age 19.
Walt and his wife Gayla joined our church January 7, 2024, after accepting the position as Minister of Music here at First Baptist. He loves serving the Lord through the music ministry.
In June of 2024, the church extended a call to Walt to also become the Interim Pastor. After serving in this dual capacity for several months, the church once again called Walt to become the fulltime Pastor/Minister of Music.
Walt's desire is for us to be a church that will Praise Him in song, Pray for the lost and Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Walt has been married to Garla for over 40 years. They raised three sons and currently have seven grandchildren.
Walt holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Texas Wesleyan College in Ft. Worth, Texas and a Master of Music Degree from West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas.
Walt enjoys time with the grandkids, hunting, and LSU sports.
FBC’s Children’s Director, Henry Thibodaux
Henry was born and raised in Louisiana. He gave his life to Christ while on a youth ski trip in Tennessee at the age of 14.
He later felt the call to ministry and enrolled in seminary at Leavell College of New Orleans, Baptist Seminary.
He met his wife, Becky, in Maine—so away to Maine he went for 13 years before coming back to the south. They have been married for 19 years and enjoy serving in ministry together.
Henry has served in various ministry positions throughout the US. His heart’s desire is to be in the ministry that best serves the needs of the church where God has placed him.
Henry and Becky moved to Bastrop from Texas in June of 2024 and then joined First Baptist in October 2024. Soon after, they felt called to serve within the church.
Henry believes that a children’s ministry is vital to the growth of the church and is excited to be in the community serving! Henry enjoys woodworking, cooking up his best Cajun dishes, pickleball, and being outside in God’s Creation!
Office Manager, Marian Riles
Marian joined our church in 1972, when her father, L.H. "Bro. Mac" McCollough was pastor. Following several years away from our church family, she rejoined First Baptist with her husband, Dennis.
In 2017, Marian was asked to join our staff as the Office Manager Assistant and in 2023, she became the Office Manager and currently holds this position.
Marian and Dennis have been married over 46 years. God has blessed them with four beautiful children and six beautiful grandchildren.
First Baptist will always be her home church. Marian loves being a part of our church family.