Church Contact Information:

First Baptist Church

201 W. Main

Olney, Texas  76374

P.O Box 734

office: (940) 564-5594

fax: (940) 564-5596

Kelly Russell  -  Pastor

Kelly came to Olney in April of 2007 from Pauls Valley, OK where he had served as pastor.  Kelly has pastored churches in Oklahoma and Texas since 1999.  He holds a B.A. from Howard Payne University, Brownwood, TX; a Masters degree, from Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, TX; and is currently working on a Doctorate from Midwestern Baptist Seminary, Kansas City, MO.  Kelly is blessed with a wonderful wife and two young children.  His wife (Renee) leads ministry areas with pre-teen students and women's ministry.

Carter Pirtle  -  Youth/Education Minister

Carter has been at FBC Olney since October, 1995, which means he has been here since before some of our teenagers were born!  Saying it another way - Carter is really OLD!  He's been in youth ministry for over 20 years and loves teenagers.  Highlights for Carter have included DiscipleNow, held close to the beginning of each calendar year, and youth camp at Glorieta, NM.  Carter is also an avid photographer which he uses to connect with people. Carter is married to Kathy and has two children, Krista and Colin.

Amber Hammond  -  Nursery Coordinator

Jan Simmons  -  Youth/Education/Music Secretary

Jan was born and raised in Olney.  She accepted Christ in June 1967 at G.A. camp and was baptized here at FBC, on July 2, 1967.  Jan married Rodney in 1976.  They have three sons and three grandchildren.  She began working at FBC as the Mother’s Day Out Director, Nursery Coordinator and then was hired in 1992 as part-time secretary/receptionist.  She loves to travel and visit family in Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Betty Ward  -  Pastor/Financial Secretary

I began my work here at First Baptist on April 29, 1981 as a part-time secretary.  After 6 months, I became full time.  I have worked in every secretarial position but currently I serve as the pastor and financial secretary. I also serve as church clerk and treasurer.  I have been blessed so many times since working here, but the biggest blessing of all came during the summer of 1993 when I was cured of Leukemia. My husband, Bill, and I have been married 55 years.  We have 3 wonderful children: Debi, Michael and Roger, 5 beautiful grandchildren:  Chris, Courtney, Josh, Kristen and Kelli  and 1 darling great-grand son, Gage.  God has been so good to me and I feel wonderfully blessed.