Steve Bateman, Senior Pastor

Steve Bateman was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. He earned his B.A. degree from Columbia International University in 1983, his Th.M. degree from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1991 and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Reformed Theological Seminary in 2004. For four years he was a youth pastor at Northwest Bible Church in Houston, Texas, and then a singles pastor at McKinney Memorial Bible Church in Ft. Worth, Texas for three years before coming to First Bible Church of Decatur in 1992. He and his wife, Lori were married in 1985 and have two children, Josh and Joy.

Bruce Ellsworth,Worship Pastor

Bruce Ellsworth has served at First Bible Church since January, 1993. A native of Springfield, Illinois, Bruce graduated from Southeastern Bible College in Birmingham with a double major in Bible and Church Music. His previous ministry experience has been in Bible churches in Charlotte, North Carolina and in Venice, Florida. Bruce is a gifted choral conductor, vocalist, musician, and worship planner. He and his wife, Beth have been married since 1982 and have two children, Alexandra and Zachary.

Vance Helms, Executive Pastor

Vance Helms grew up in Advance, North Carolina. He earned a B.A. from N.C. State in 1990 and an M.A. in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary in 2000. He was on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ for eight years, serving at Louisiana Tech, the University of Georgia, and the University of Kentucky. Vance came to First Bible Church in 2002 after working at Pantego Bible Church in Arlington, TX. His passion is teaching God’s Word for life application, and his motivation for ministry is to see others take the next step in their journey towards Christian maturity. He and his wife Katherine married in 1996 and have two daughters, Maggie and Mimi, and one son, Joby.

Jess Montegudo, Associate Pastor

Jess Montegudo, a native of Louisiana, has a great love for ministering to people. Jess received his B.S. from Louisiana State University in 1981 and a Masters of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1985. Jess joined the FBC staff in October, 2005 after serving eleven years at Apple’s Chapel Christian Church in Gibsonville, North Carolina where he served as Associate Pastor/Christian Education Director. Jess and his wife Janet were married in 1980 and have three daughters.

Paul Cheshier, Pastor of Assimilation

Paul Cheshier is a native of south Arkansas.  Paul received his B.S. from Columbia International University in 1984 and a Masters of Ministry from Moody Bible Institute, Chicago in 1997.  He and his family served on the mission field for 6 years with Paul serving as Chaplain/Teacher at Dauli Teachers’ College with Pioneers in Papua New Guinea. From 1999 to 2005 he served First Bible Church as Associate Pastor and from 2005 till 2008 he served as a missionary instructor in Mexico with Central American Missions. He rejoined FBC in January 2009 to share Christ with those who do not know Him and help believers grow in the understanding and application of the Word of God. Paul and his wife Hope were married in 1984 and have four children; Ashley, Hunter, Marshall and Alainnah.

Wayne Campbell, Dir. of Student Ministries

Born in Jackson, MS, Wayne lived in Starkville, MS, Wilmington, OH, and then graduated high school in Tupelo, MS. He graduated from Union University in 2005 with a double major in Christian Ethics and Computer Science. Wayne is currently enrolled and taking classes through Southern Baptist Theological Seminary towards a Masters of Divinity in Pastoral Studies. During college he served on staff with two different Churches and a youth camp. Wayne’s passion is to develop disciples that lead others to the Lord.

Alexander Roberts, Assoc. Dir. of Student Ministries

Alexander Roberts grew up in Owensboro, KY. He attended Murray State University and graduated with his B.S. in Outdoor Recreation. Alexander is currently enrolled and taking classes through the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary working on his Masters of Divinity in Christian Ministry. Throughout his college career he spent his summers serving in a church and a youth camp. Alexander has a passion to see students come into relation with Christ and their lives to be impacted because of that relationship. Alexander and his wife Emily were married in April of 2008.

Joni Clark, Dir. of Children’s Ministries

Joni grew up in Tuscumbia, Alabama and earned a B.S. degree in chemistry from Judson College. Her fourteen-year career with 3M in Decatur and Greenville, S.C. was followed by time spent at home with her young children. Joni joined the First Bible staff as Director of Children’s Ministry in 2004. She began developing a heart for children’s ministry in 1981 while serving as an assistant to an experienced and gifted elementary Sunday school teacher, and her passion for the ministry continued to grow during her twenty years of volunteer experience. Joni considers it a privilege to have the opportunity to partner with FBC parents in helping the next generation to know, love, obey and exalt Jesus Christ. She and her husband Dennis live in Hartselle and have four children, Shelley (married, living in CA), Emily, Matthew, and John William.

Katherine Helms, Nursery Coordinator

Katherine grew up in Kentucky and graduated from University of Kentucky with a degree in secondary English education. She taught high school English for two years before working with Campus Crusade for Christ from 1994 – 1998. She has been involved with the Women’s Ministry at First Bible since 2004. Katherine joined the FBC staff in August 2007. She realizes the importance of providing a caring environment for the children in the Nursery. Parents must be comfortable leaving children in the nursery so they are able to focus on God’s Word and fellowship with other believers. Katherine and her husband Vance married in 1996 and have two daughters, Maggie and Mimi, and one son, Joby.

Support staff

Earlene Baker, Administrative Assistant
Kim Goree, Financial Secretary
Telete Chappell, Children’s Director Assistant
Beth Ellsworth, Receptionist, Secretary
Rosemary Whiteside, Secretary
Darrel Phillips, Director of Facilities
Marty Nowak, Facilities Assistant