First Baptist Church Cordele
Love God. Love His Church. Love Your Neighbor.
At FBCC, we are a community of believers passionate about glorifying God, fostering meaningful relationships, and reaching out to serve others. Whether you're visiting for the first time or have been part of our family for years, we invite you to journey with us in faith and fellowship.
Our Mission & Vision
Our mission is to glorify God through worship, discipleship, and serving others. We strive to be a Christ-centered community, reaching out to our neighbors with compassion and truth.
What We Believe
At FBCC, we uphold the Bible as the foundation of our faith and practice. We believe in salvation through Jesus Christ and the importance of living a life that reflects God’s love.
First Baptist Church Cordele aligns with the Baptist Faith & Message, a comprehensive statement of biblical beliefs held by Southern Baptists.
Additionally, the church upholds the Abstract of Principles, further detailing its doctrinal stance.
For a complete understanding of these foundational documents, you can refer to the Southern Baptist Convention's official publications.
If you have specific questions or need further clarification on any aspect of our beliefs, our pastors are always available to provide more information.
Meet Our Pastors, Elders and Staff
Our pastoral team is committed to guiding our congregation in spiritual growth and community engagement.
Dr. Von Paxton
Lead Pastor and Elder
Dr. Von Paxton has served as the Lead Pastor and Elder at FBCC since 2018. A Denver, CO. native, Dr. Von served in the U.S. Air Force Security Forces following high school, including in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He pastored in North Texas for 8 years before coming to Cordele. He is married to Sayla, and together they are raising five wonderful children. Von holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Criswell College, a Master of Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS), a Doctor of Educational Ministry degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and is currently a PhD student at MBTS. His ministry is marked by strong biblical teaching, a heart for healthy churches, and a commitment to fostering a community that is infatuated with the glorious Christ.
Daniel Stewart
Pastor of Music & Media and Elder
Daniel leads the worship and media ministries at FBCC as Pastor of Music & Media and Elder. He is married to Jamie, and they have three children. Daniel graduated from Toccoa Falls College with a Bachelor of Science in Church Music and holds a Master’s Degree in Worship Leadership from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Biblical worship that brings glory to God and engages the congregation is the purpose of this ministry. Whether coordinating multimedia, or mentoring the next generation of worship leaders, Daniel brings creativity, excellence, and a servant’s heart to his role.
Jack Fitzgibbons
Pastor of Discipleship and Elder
Jack is FBCC’s Pastor of Discipleship and an Elder, tasked with overseeing the student ministry and helping the church grow deeper in their discipleship to Christ and relationships with one another. Jack is married to Kayla and they have one daughter. He earned a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Religion from Georgia Southern University and a Master of Divinity in Preaching from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Our Story
A Legacy of Faith Since 1889
Founded on April 14, 1889, First Baptist Church Cordele began with 23 charter members gathering in a local academy building. Over the years, the church has grown into a vibrant community of faith, committed to worship, discipleship, and service. With deep roots in Cordele, FBCC continues to honor its legacy while embracing the future, offering a spiritual home for all.
Our elders provide spiritual oversight and guidance to our church community.
Dr. Ricky Stevens
Elder of Missions & Outreach
Dr Ricky Stevens has been an elder at FBCC since 2023. A Georgia native, Dr. Ricky received his Bachelor of Science degree and Masters in Poultry Science at UGA. He then went on to attend the Medical College of Georgia where, before graduation, was nearly run over in the parking deck by one of his classmates. Not being deterred, he married that fellow classmate and they graduated together in 2002. 25 years and 5 kids later they still disagree as to who was driving the wrong way on that fateful day. He has a passion for the proclamation of God’s Word to the unreached and has been blessed to have a wife that is not only a colleague, but his biggest encouragement and fellow worker in the ministry. The Stevens family has been blessed to be active in Bolivia with one of our partnering organizations ITM. They also enjoy hiking, fishing, SCUBA, and road trips but, given their history, he always insists that he drives.
Chuck Hollingsworth
Elder of Life Groups and Sunday School
Chuck Hollingsworth serves as the Life Group Coordinator and an Elder at First Baptist Church, where he is dedicated to fostering meaningful connections and spiritual growth within the church community. He is a graduate of Georgia Southwestern State University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, equipping him with both academic and theological foundations for ministry. Chuck is married to his wonderful wife, Shaana, and together they have three amazing children—Evan, Noah, and Natalie. He is passionate about coaching and advising others, leadership development, and engaging in deep, thought-provoking conversations. Beyond ministry, Chuck enjoys analyzing movies, watching sports, and perfecting his grilling skills. Whether leading a Life Group, mentoring others, or discussing the deeper meanings behind a film, Chuck is committed to guiding and encouraging those around him in faith and life.
Jeff Whelchel
Elder of Stewardship
Jeff Whelchel has served as an elder at FBCC since 2024. He is married to his wife, Caitlin, and they are blessed with two wonderful children, Jackson and Ella Cate. He works as a financial advisor with Edward Jones. Jeff has been member of First Baptist Church for more than 30 years, where he has served in various roles. Jeff and his family enjoy traveling, sports, reading, and being involved in the Cordele community. He also loves coaching youth sports and investing in the next generation. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve the church and grow in faith with his church family.
Our dedicated staff works behind the scenes to ensure that FBCC runs smoothly and serves as a welcoming place for worship, fellowship, and ministry.
Patricia Bennett
Financial Secretary
Patricia Bennett has been the financial secretary at FBCC for 10 years with experience in banking and accounting for over 19. She earned two certificates from South Georgia Technical College - Office Accounting Specialist & Payroll Accounting Specialist. She enjoys volunteering in our AWANA ministry with the Puggles class, helping build handicap ramps and greeting our members and guests on Sunday mornings. She has been married to Crack Bennett for 29 years and has two children and five beautiful grandchildren. She loves spending time with her family, her church, and baking.
Christy Saylor
Director of Preschool and Elementary
Christy Saylor is the Director of FBCC’s Preschool & Elementary department. She has worked in our Children’s Ministry for over 19 years at First Baptist. To Christy, working with children isn’t just a job—it’s a calling, a blessing, and a privilege. She finds deep joy in guiding and ministering to the amazing families at FBCC, creating a nurturing environment where kids can grow in their faith. Outside of her ministry, Christy is happily married to her husband, Don, with whom she’s shared 18 wonderful years.
Ronnie Musgrove
Facilities Director
Ronnie is a dedicated Facilities Director at First Baptist Church Cordele. A proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he also served the City of Cordele before retiring. He is happily married to Dana Dowdy Musgrove, and they have two children and two grandchildren. In his free time, Ronnie enjoys outdoor cooking, fishing, and sports. His passion for service and community makes him a valued member of the FBCC team.
Connect With Us
Join Us This Sunday or Wednesday
We’d love to connect with you! Whether you’re looking for a place to worship, seeking to grow in your faith, or simply exploring what FBCC is all about, we invite you to join us for one of our services:
Sunday: Sunday School at 9:00 AM, Worship Service at 10:00 AM
Wednesday: Midweek Bible Study at 6:00 PM
Get In Touch
Our pastors and staff are here for you! Reach out with any questions, prayer requests, or to learn more about how to get involved.
Address: 137 Kelly Rd, Cordele, Georgia 31015
Phone: 229-273-3762
Find Your Community
We believe in building meaningful relationships. Explore our small groups, ministries, and volunteer opportunities to find where you belong at FBCC.