Leadership and Staff

Marshall Henderson is originally from Cleveland, MS, a small town in an area known as the Mississippi Delta, famous for agriculture and being the birthplace of the blues. He is a graduate of Delta State University where he spent four years as a “Fighting Okra” and received his B.A. in psychology. He is also a graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) with a M.Div. in Christian Thought (2011) and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) with a D.Min. in Applied Theology (2020).

In 2008 Marshall married Jill-Curry Smith who was his best friend all throughout their school years. They have 8 children—Matthew, Myles, Smith, Eleanor, Roscoe, George, Oliver, and Jack—and two foster children.

During his sophomore year of college, God called Marshall to vocational gospel ministry. Marshall has served as the Associate/Student Pastor at Morrison Chapel Baptist Church (Cleveland, MS) as well as a Church Ministry Resident (2013), Discipleship Leader (2014), and Generations Director (2015) at Vintage Church (New Orleans, LA).

Marshall served as the Student Minister of FBC from 2015-2019, and began serving as FBC’s Pastor starting in January 2020.

Marshall is passionate about teaching the gospel of Jesus and leading others to see how the gospel of grace shapes to every dimension of their lives. His family is passionate about foster care and adoption, and leading the church to care for orphans.

Marshall enjoys spending time with his family, drinking coffee, reading, traveling, and watching sports in his free time.

Roger Walworth grew up in Fort Payne. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. He is also a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary earning the Master of Church Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees.

He has served at FBC since 2005. Previously he served as Chair of the Fine and Performing Arts Division at Judson College from 1994-2006. He has extensive experience as a music teacher in public and private schools and as a church musician.  His college and student choirs have toured extensively throughout the southern United States and 9 concert tours to the British Isles presenting concerts in such noted venues as Ely Cathedral, York Minster Cathedral, Coventry Cathedral, and Canterbury Cathedral.  In 2005 his Judson College choir sang a solo concert at Carnegie Hall, New York City, New York.  This was their second time to perform at Carnegie Hall having presented their debut recital in 2003. He is an active member of the Alabama Singing Men, having served as their President.

He has been married to Myla since 1984, and they have two children, Andrew and Ashlee, and three grandchildren, Wally, Maddie, and Lincoln.

Roger is passionate about music and music education. He loves to use music to teach the deep truths of scripture and faith to children, students, and adults. He also loves music for worship and the ever-expanding song of the church.

Roger enjoys spending time with family and his German Shepherds as well as traveling, sports, and a warm fire pit.

Ryan Wood is originally from Gray, GA, a small town in the middle of the state. He graduated from Georgia College & State University (go Bobcats!) with a BA in Business Administration. He and his wife, Ashley, were married in April of 2015. They immediately moved to Wake Forest, NC in order for Ryan to pursue his M.Div at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. They have two little ones: Harper (November, 2019) and Haddon (April, 2022). Some of his favorite things are spending time with family, gardening, bird watching, hiking, disc golf, making and drinking coffee, reading, and watching shows and movies with Ashley!

Ryan first trusted in Christ at the age of eight. He rejoices that Jesus is continuing His good and gracious work in him, and trusts that one day He will bring it to completion. Ryan began serving in student ministry as a volunteer during college and continued to do so after moving to Wake Forest. He served North Wake Church as a ministry intern in 2017 and later joined the staff in 2018 to serve part-time as the associate student minister. His family moved to Fort Payne in November 2020 in order for him to serve as the student minister at First Baptist.

As a teen, Ryan did not avail himself to intentional discipleship relationships. He didn’t yet understand that Jesus desired and deserved total Lordship over every sphere of his life. He now loves having the opportunity to spiritually invest in the students at FBC and point them to Christ as their Redeemer who loves them and gave himself for them. He is excited to see students be transformed by the gospel of Jesus, devoted to the community of Jesus, and committed to the mission of Jesus!

Amy Simpson, a native of Fort Payne, became a member of the First Baptist staff in June 2016. She has been married to Todd Simpson since 1997, and they have two adult children, Hannah and Micah. God has also blessed their home with additional children through foster care.

Amy is a graduate of Jacksonville State University. She received a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education, and an M.S. degree in Elementary Education. Amy was an elementary school teacher for 17 years before joining the First Baptist ministry staff. She taught in both the Dekalb County and Fort Payne City school systems.

Amy previously served in children’s ministry at Second Baptist Church in Fort Payne. She has a passion for teaching children the precious truths that are contained in the Bible. Amy enjoys all aspects of children’s ministry, but she especially enjoys directing Vacation Bible School, teaching children’s church, and taking children to camp in the summer.

Amy enjoys spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, and singing.

Debra has served as FBC’s financial secretary for over 25 years. She came to First Baptist after retiring from Walmart Stores Inc. She is married to Steve Jones and they have a daughter Ashley, and one granddaughter. Debra is a member of Nazareth Baptist Church in Rainsville. She feels blessed to serve at FBC.

Debra’s life verse is Romans 8: 38-39: For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Lillie is married to Cody Wilbanks. Between the two of them they have 3 sons. Matthew, Jeremiah and Joseph. Lillie has worked in the medical field for the past 18 years and is thoroughly enjoying that the Lord has led her to FBCFP in this career change. Lillie and her family attend Fyffe Church of God and are active in many roles. In her free time, she enjoys shopping, doing puzzles, baking sweet treats, and spending time with her family; whether it’s going on vacation trips or simple movie nights at home together.

Lillie’s favorite scripture is 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”.