Leadership

Jerry joined the Central Baptist Church staff in 2018, bringing a vision for multiplying Christ followers through a multicultural, intergenerational disciple-making strategy. He and his wife, Shawn, have three grown daughters. Jerry also leads short-term mission trips to Romania to plant churches and lead pastoral training seminars.
Jerry earned a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Luther Rice Seminary. Jerry enjoys the outdoors and is a fan of baseball – from Little League to the Major League.

Tim joined the church staff at Central Baptist in 2019 as part-time minister of music, and then was brought on full-time in 2022 taking on the added role of administrator. Tim has served in full-time ministry since the early 90’s, serving in churches in Houston and Longview. He is passionate about leading the people of God in worship with a desire to blend worship styles creating meaningful places and spaces for encounters with our risen Lord. His new task to help steward a very large and aging facility has brought on an appreciation for how a facility is a treasured gift that comes with great responsibility.  Tim, and his wife, Leslie, are happy to call Central Baptist Church and Marshall home and carry on a great tradition of music, worship, and ministry in this beautiful place.

Paul joined the staff of Central in a volunteer capacity at the beginning of 2023.  He and his wife, Cathy, have served in music ministries in churches in Oklahoma, Texas, New York and Louisiana.  Paul retired from Emmanuel Baptist Church in Shreveport, LA, in 2019 after serving for 20 years as Minister of Music and Senior Adults.  Paul has music degrees from Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Theological Seminary.  Paul and Cathy have been married since 1975 and have three grown sons living in Colorado Springs, Ft. Worth and Orlando.  In conjunction with other volunteers, Paul organizes the senior adult ministries at Central.  There are lunch meetings on the second Monday of each month.  There are also a variety of monthly trips, mostly short range.  Central’s senior adult group is called the WOO, or Wise Old Owls, but as Paul is known to say, you don’t have to be wise, you don’t have to be old, and you certainly don’t have to be an owl to participate.  Anyone who has the time is welcome to join us for any of our activities.

Sandi Garrett coordinates and directs children's ministries ranging from nursery through fifth grades. For several years she served on the opposite end of the age spectrum as a certified Activity Director to the elderly community. Now, she has been called to use her skills to help bring children to Christ as our Interim Children's Ministry Director. She began volunteering with our youth and Children's Ministry at the beginning of 2023. Sandi and her husband, Jeremy, have two children: Jordan and Audrey. Visit with Sandi to learn more about Sunday school, children's church, and Wednesday Mid-Week ministries. There is a place for you to help our Children's Ministry grow!

Lauren Bender comes to Central Baptist after spending the last 8 years as a full-time missionary to Africa serving with Overland Missions in Zambia and Angola with her husband, Branden. Lauren is excited to have this opportunity to work with the students at Central,  helping them know God fully and what it means to be a committed follower of Christ. After graduating from Texas A&M University, Lauren was working at an environmental firm in Longview, when she felt the nudge from the Lord to go on a short-term mission trip to Zambia. On this trip she fell in love with the people of Zambia. When she returned to the states she quickly began her training with Overland Missions, giving her life to serve unreached people groups in Africa. While her mission field has changed, her passion remains the same of winning the lost for Jesus.  

Cathy earned Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in piano from Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, respectively. She is a member of Baroque Artists of Shreveport and is active as an adjudicator for piano festivals and competitions. She has served churches in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and New York, including her present position as pianist/organist at Central. Her published compositions include works for piano, organ, handbells, violin, and choir.

Rozanne joined our staff in October, 2015. She has a background in office management and customer service. She grew up in Marshall and has called East Texas home for her entire life. God has called her to serve in several area churches as secretary. Rozanne has one son.

Joy began her duties at Central in October, 2011. She grew up in Marshall, and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education from East State University. Joy has 30 years accounting experience and office management.  She and her husband Ron are members of Central and have 4 children.