Blanchard's First Baptist Church

Staff

Andy Finch - Pastor

Pastor Andy Finch has a deep commitment to preaching and teaching God's Word with clarity and conviction so people can find the hope and help they need to face the opportunites and challenges of real life. Andy is motivated by a desire to see real life-change through the power of Jesus Christ in every person who walks through the doors of First Baptist Church. He truly cares as much about growing people as he does about growing our church. Andy is an effective and visionary leader who strives to mobilize the entire church to live on mission for Christ in their homes, schools, work places and community.

Andy grew up in Houston and Orange, Texas, where he was liscened and ordained for the ministry at First Baptist Church. He is a 1994 graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and 1997 graduate of Baylor's George W. Truett Seminary where he received his Master of Divinity degree. Andy came to FBC Blanchard in the fall of 2006 after serving at his last pastorate in Sand Springs, OK for nine years. Currently, Andy is in the process of completing the final phase of his doctorate from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago, IL.

Andy enjoys spending time with his family, playing and watching all kinds of sports, reading and spending time with friends.

Andy is blessed by the support of his wife and best friend, Steva, who graduated from OBU with a degree in nursing. Currently, Steva devotes her time to their four children: Catherine, Anna, Caleb and Seth. She also enjoys serving in women's and children's ministries at church, spending time with friends, encouraging other women through mentoring, reading and music.

Nick Atyia - Student Pastor

Hello, My name is Nick Atyia and I am the Student Pastor at FBC Blanchard. My wife and I are excited that you have visited the FBC Blanchard web site. We hope that you will take time to visit us on location. We love teenagers and have been serving together in ministry all of our marriage. Here is a little infomation about our family.

Nick and Libby joined First Baptist Church in September of 2003. They have been married since January 20, 2001 and have two beautiful boys. Gabriel was born in 2004 and Easton was born in 2006. They love FBC and the community of Blanchard. Nick has been in Student Ministry since 1998. Nick and Libby are graduates of Oklahoma Baptist University and Nick is currently working on a Master's Degree in Christian Education.

Paula Lawson - Children's Minister

As a young girl in Pittsburg Kansas, Paula was first introduced to Jesus Christ through an invitation of a close family friend, to attend Vacation Bible School at a little white church just outside of town. Her parents, not church attendees at the time, agreed to let her attend. This was not a chance encounter, it was a divine appointment. Her desire to learn more about Him burned deep within. Even after a move to Oklahoma, Paula was persistent about going to church as a family. Eventually, the persistence paid off and the family began to attend a church in OKC. God used Sunday School Teacher’s & other Christian families to teach Paula of His unfailing love for her. Finally, on a Wednesday night in May, at the age of 10, she began her personal relationship with her Heavenly Father. What began several years prior as an “introduction”, ended up leading to a life-long relationship with the Savoir.

Paula has spent a good part of her life pointing children to Jesus through local Churches and Christian Education Centers. Before coming to First Baptist Church – Blanchard, Paula was the Weekday Early Education Director/Founder of Joyful Noise Parent’s Day Out at First Baptist Church Newcastle and also served as the Children’s Ministry Director at the South Campus of First Baptist – Newcastle. She was the Children’s Activity Coordinator at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Blanchard from 1998-2005. She was also a kindergarten teacher from 1995 - 1997 at Southwest Christian Academy in Moore.

Paula and her husband Charles have lived in Blanchard since 1997 and have four children; Jacob, Kegan, Brant, and Allie. Her love for her own children and Children’s Ministry is a product of her childhood experience and her current relationship with Jesus. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these…shall you teach diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up."

Amy Foster - Church Administrator

Shiela Aldridge - Ministry Administrative Assistant

Tresa Gallaher - Church Bookkeeper

Blanchard's First Baptist Church

To Know Christ and Make Him Known