![alt src=]() ![alt src=http://www.aurorabaptistchurch.com/images/stories/staff/jimmyandbrendacolor2.jpg]() |
Jimmy Withers- Pastor was born in a Christian home on April 18, 1952, one of five children and the only son of Weldon and Wilma Withers. It was a Christian home where Christ was taught, loved and lived. The Withers family attended Calvary Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, Texas, where Dr. Earl K. Oldham was pastor. At age 12, Jimmy was born again and at age 20 he surrendered to the Gospel ministry. Jimmy's education includes Mountainview Community College, Arlington Baptist College, post graduate work at BMA Theological Seminary and numerous seminars. Upon graduation from Arlington Baptist in 1976, he became Minister of Youth and Music at the Calvary Baptist Church in Palestine.
In Palestine, Jimmy met the love of his life, Brenda Sims. They were married and now have 2 sons, Joshua 31, Jacob 21, a daughter named April and 4 grandsons named Cade, Kale, Jeston and Tyler. In 1987 the Lord called Brenda and Jimmy to pastor Aurora Baptist Church, where they still live and have ministered faithfully. God has richly blessed the ministry at Aurora with over 3,000 souls being saved and over 1,500 baptized in the past 23 years. The Church has grown from 27 to 500 on Sundays with a high attendance this past year of 1,287. Aurora Baptist Church has successfully negotiated numerous building programs under his leadership and now enjoys state of the art facilities totaling 35,000 sq. ft. He speaks frequently at Fellowships, Marriage Retreats, Men's Conferences, Camps, Conventions, Churches, Public School and Christian School Assembles. Bro. Withers loves to preach, see souls saved and lives dedicated to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ. Contact:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
|
|
|
|
|
![alt src=http://www.aurorabaptistchurch.com/images/stories/staff/stokes.jpg]() |
Rick Stokes - Associate Pastor & Pam Stokes - Administrative Assist. to Pastor/Ladies Ministry along with daughters Jennifer and Stefanie were called to Aurora Baptist Church in August 1995 as Youth Ministers. They came from Calvary Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, Texas, where they had attended and served in several different capacities including bus ministry and youth for many years. Rick was called into the ministry in his thirties at this church under Dr. Earl K. Oldham's ministry. He then attended and graduated from Arlington Baptist College. Rick's education also includes Troy State University, University of Texas at Arlington and Fort Worth Theological Seminary. Rick and Pam were raised in good, godly Christian homes and have strived to pass this heritage down to their children and children's children. Both of their dads were in the military so they grew up living all across the United States. However, Rick claims Alabama as his home state and Pam claims Texas. Rick and Pam love the LORD and His people and their heart's desire is to serve Him continually "with gladness." They reside in Haslet, Texas, and have two beautiful granddaughters named Lucy and Lilly, along with another on the way. God has richly blessed them during their tenure at Aurora. They love the people and are so thankful God sent them here.
Contact:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
|
|
![alt src=http://www.aurorabaptistchurch.com/images/stories/staff/mitch.jpg]() |
Mitch Gearner – Music Minister, was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Saved at age 9 and called to full-time ministry at age 12, Mitch has been involved in the music ministry of the churches he’s been a part of since 1966. Whether special music, youth choir directing or being a member in the church choir, his Christian life has been dedicated to church ministry. He began full-time vocational ministry in 1981 as Music and Youth Minister at Northside Baptist Church in Carrollton, Texas. Between 1988-1991, Mitch served on staff at Calvary Baptist Church, Grand Prairie, Texas, and Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas, before pastoring two churches, Crossroads Baptist Church in Duncan, Oklahoma and Pine Level Baptist Church in Starke, Florida from 1991-1999. In 2000, God moved Mitch and his wife, Kim, daughter, Shanna, and son, Kent, to Berean Baptist Church in Houston, Texas where he served as Music Minister until coming to Aurora in August 2009.
Here at Aurora, Mitch oversees the worship ministry, which includes worship leading, the worship band, the adult choir and the sound ministry. It is his heart to not only provide those attending the services with the opportunity to fully express worship to God as they sing a blend of traditional and contemporary worship music, but also to prepare their hearts and minds for the preaching of God’s Word.
Contact:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
![alt src=http://www.aurorabaptistchurch.com/images/stories/staff/john_small2.jpg]() |
John Stewart - Associate Pastor of Special Ministries, was born into a Pastor’s home. He was taught that the Lord’s work was not to be put in second place in his life. John, as a student at Lynchburg Baptist College, was saved in October of 1973. Shortly after accepting Christ John surrendered to full-time ministry. John has been doing Church Ministry since 1973. John was blessed to have 3 sons: His sons, Tim and Scottlan, along with their spouses and children, faithfully serve in their own local churches. Chris, his middle son, went home to be with the Lord in 1997. In 1982 the Lord opened the door for John to finish his degree. John received his B.A. in Music from Baptist Bible College in 1989. While a student at B.B.C., John served under the Music Minister at High Street Baptist Church and was given the honor of serving as Interim Music Minister for a year. He has served in full time staff positions since 1989 and has been on staff at Aurora Baptist Church since April of 1994. John’s desire is to see ministry become a part of every believer’s life in some way. John’s ministry responsibilities are to oversee DC4K, DC teen Rap-Up, DivorceCare, Pairs & Spares (Senior’s Ministry) and overseeing technology in the worship services. See John if you would like to participate or minister in any of these areas. Contact:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
|
|
![alt src=http://www.aurorabaptistchurch.com/images/stories/staff/andrew.jpg]() |
Andrew Vandergriff – Student Pastor, He, Stacey and their daughter Judith have dedicated their lives to help spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. They encourage students to begin and strengthen their relationship with Jesus. Andrew attended and graduated from Northwest High School and later earned his bachelor’s degree in Bible/Pastoral Ministries from Arlington Baptist College. Stacey received her diploma from Boyd High School and is a librarian at Northwest High School while their daughter Judith attends Chisolm Trail Middle School.
By God’s mercy, Andrew began an incredible relationship with Jesus Christ. God began to stir in his heart about ministering to a culture in desperate need of Jesus Christ. In 1998 Andrew taught his first Sunday School class and in 2000 he began his tenure at Aurora Baptist Church and became the Student Pastor in 2002. 13 years of youth ministry experience has made a wonderful impact on the teens in Wise County.
Andrew tries to establish and maintain a personal relationship with each student of his group and in doing so is able to lead them into a greater knowledge of the Lord and His Word. Andrew and Stacey are constantly available to any teen in need and sacrifices his time, energy and home to prove that. They are loved and respected by all of his students and they love each one of them with the love of Jesus and will continue to be amazing examples of Christ.
Contact:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
|
|
![alt src=]() ![alt src=http://www.aurorabaptistchurch.com/images/stories/staff/alyssa%20and%20jake.jpg]() |
Jacob Withers- Director of Children Ministries Contact:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
|
|
|
|
|
