Garin joined the pastoral staff at FBC Forest City in 2015, having served on church staffs in various capacities since the late 90s. Born and raised in a small town in Southwest Virginia, he is familiar with what it means to be a part of rural, FBC congregation. After graduating high school in Gate City, VA, Garin went on to study at Carson-Newman College (B.A.), Truett Seminary at Baylor Univ. (M.Div.), and Gardner-Webb Univ. (D.Min.). It is ironic, perhaps, his many years of school have taught him – more than all else – how much he still has to learn.
Important to know about Garin: he loves church, has hope in the church (despite all its flaws!), and still believes church can be the channel God uses to make our community and the world itself a better place. In fact, Garin’s favorite reason to serve alongside FBC Forest City – even amidst our diversity of thought, persuasion, political opinion, etc. – is witnessing our congregation come together under the grace of Jesus to love this community in small ways which make a big difference.
Garin’s list of “favorite things” is probably too long to explain, but sometime ask him about sports chatter (whatever’s in season), trying new foods, strategy games, or why the book is better than the movie… all if you’d like to fall down the rabbit hole for a while! Particularly exciting is when people ask difficult questions, as he loves it when people wonder about life, love, loss, and what it all has to do with faith.
Apart from the grace of Jesus itself, Garin’s greatest gifts are his relationships with his wife, Rachel, and his teenage sons, Isaac and Eli. They are the light in his eyes, and the very summit of the mountain of ways God’s grace has richly given him more than he deserves… and that’s saying something.

Diane Nelson came to First Baptist Forest City in 1994 as Organist/Music Associate and has also served as Minister to Senior Adults.  She is a graduate of Jacksonville University (Florida), the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the University of Florida. In addition, she has also earned a Kodaly Certificate and has been a part of the Clinical Pastoral Education program at Rutherford Regional Hospital.
She was ordained to the gospel ministry by First Baptist in 2011.
Dr. Nelson served as interim Minister of Music from July 2020 and was named Minister of Music in June 2022.

Justin Mofield joined our staff in 2022 as our Minister to Youth. He grew up right here in North Carolina, spending time in both Gibsonville and Durham. He is a graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He is now working towards his MDiv at the Divinity School at Gardner-Webb University. He developed a strong passion for youth ministry while serving at his college church and college ministry group, where he also met his wife Hailey. He is excited for what God has been doing and will continue to do through our youth.

Kelly officially joined First Baptist Church in 2010, but attended many times as a teenager with her friends and now husband, Jeff.  She was born and raised in Rutherford County and graduated from East Rutherford High School.  Kelly continued her education at Western Carolina University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business.  Kelly has worked for more than 20 years as a corporate trainer, focusing on e-Learning instructional design for a financial institution, while also balancing the needs of her growing family.  She feels blessed to be able to serve the children and families of FBC. Having two children, Kelly has been involved in the Children’s Ministry for more than ten years and has taught children’s Sunday School for five years.  Kelly loves the simple truth from Proverbs 22:6 - “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” 

Debbie Bound joined FBC in 2019. She has a heart for the mercy ministry to our senior adults. She shares a love of Jesus in visitation and prayer with our senior adults.

Laura Link joined First Baptist Church with her family in 1995 and was named Office Administrator in 2021. She is a native of Rutherford County, graduating from R-S Central High School, and has a BFA from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Laura feels blessed to have found a way to serve her church family and community through her work at FBC. In particular she is passionate about feeding the hungry and helping those in need. 
Laura is mother to two boys, is an active member of the Sanctuary Choir, a vocalist with a local band, as well as an actress and director in the local community theatre. 

In addition to our staff, the church is guided by two other groups: the Deacons, and the Administrative Leadership Council (ALC). The deacons provide leadership in all ministry aspects related to the church, and the ALC oversees administrative decisions of the congregation. Both are comprised of a diverse group, with both women and men serving equally in leadership capacities.

Phillip and his family came to First Baptist in 1977. He began playing the organ at age 15 and studied pipe organ while attending Warren Wilson College.  Phillip has been a supply organist at several local churches since the 1970's and has served as Organist at FBC beginning in 2020.