Our Pastoral Staff
Elder-Led Leadership
Third Baptist Church is led by a plurality of elders who share responsibility for teaching, shepherding, prayer, and oversight of the church.
We believe this model of biblical leadership promotes faithful care, accountability, wisdom, and unity within the church body.
Scripture References:
Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5–9, 1 Peter 5:1–4
Dr. Mark Moore
Executive Pastor & Worship
Mark and his wife, Michelle, have been married since 1986. They have two sons, Griffin (Danielle) and Penn (Becca), and three grandchildren: Harper, Miller Ann, and Beau. Mark enjoys spending time with Michelle, hunting, milling logs, growing a garden, and keeping up with Dixie, a German Shorthaired Pointer, and Kinley, a chocolate Lab.
Education
- B.M.E., Mississippi State University
- Master of Music, Louisiana State University
- Doctor of Musical Arts, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Dr. Keith Myatt
Teaching Pastor
Keith joined the pastoral staff in 2019 and serves as Teaching Pastor at Third Baptist Church. He is passionate about the verse-by-verse preaching of Scripture, theological education, and helping believers grow in their understanding of God’s Word.
Keith and his wife, Heather, have been married since 2013 and have five children: Kara Jane, Kendrick, Hope, Judah, and Joseph.
Education
- B.S., University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- Master of Divinity, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Ph.D. in Preaching, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Jorge Arenivas
Hispanic Pastor
Jorge has served as Hispanic Pastor at Third Baptist Church since 2000. Originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, he leads the Spanish-speaking congregation through preaching, discipleship, and pastoral care.
Jorge and his wife, Consuelo, have been married for many years and have one daughter, Tania.
Education & Ministry
- Seminary Extension Graduate, Nashville
- National Hispanic Mobilizer for NAMB since 2018
Stephen Starr
Pastor to Students
Stephen joined the pastoral staff in 2020 and serves students and families through biblical teaching, discipleship, and ministry to the next generation.
Stephen and his wife, Hilary, have four children: Harrison, Summer, Rhett, and Sadie Grace.
Education
- B.A. in Christian Studies, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Master of Divinity in Christian Ministry, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Dean Sisk
Pastor to Senior Adults
Dean has served in gospel ministry for over forty years as a pastor and interim pastor. At Third Baptist Church, he focuses on senior adult ministry and pastoral care.
Dean and his wife, Judy, have two sons, two daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren.
Education
- B.S., Gardner-Webb University
- Master of Divinity, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Doctor of Ministry, Luther Rice Seminary
Jacob Lisemby
Missions & Young Adults Pastor
Jacob joined the staff in 2025 and serves in missions and young adult ministry. He has a passion for discipleship, outreach, and helping young adults become grounded in their faith.
Jacob and his wife, Faith, and their son, Silas, enjoy spending time outdoors and serving together in the life of the church.
Education
- B.S., Middle Tennessee State University
- MBA, Louisiana State University Shreveport
- Pursuing Master of Divinity, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Mike Dewees
Lay Pastor, Counseling & Care
Mike was raised as both an “Air Force brat” and a preacher’s kid, experiences that helped shape his appreciation for faith, service, and connecting with people from many walks of life. He is passionate about biblical counseling, discipleship, and walking alongside others through life.
Mike and his late wife, Debra, have four children—Drew (Kelly), Carah, Hayden (Brooke), and Payton—and two granddaughters, Adalee and Cathylne. He enjoys traveling, especially spending time at the beach with family.
Education & Training
- Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management — Southern Illinois University
- Master of Arts in Christian Education — Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling — Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Certified Member — Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC)
John Putman
Lay Pastor
John is a native of Nashville, Tennessee. He and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for over 40 years and have three daughters: Hope (Matt), Mya (Brantley), and Rorisang (Seth), along with three grandchildren—Theo, Sawyer, and Jude.
John and Jennifer joined Third Baptist Church in 2016 after returning from 14 years of service in the Republic of South Africa as career missionaries through the International Mission Board. Since then, John has served in a variety of ministry roles, including youth ministry, pastoral ministry, and as a deacon at Third Baptist Church. He and Jennifer continue to have a heart for missions and serving people from different cultures. In his free time, John enjoys sports, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family.
Education & Ministry Experience
- Bachelor of Arts in Theology — Florida Baptist Theological College (1987)
- Journeyman Missionary — Republic of Liberia (1987–1989)
- Attended The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1990–1991)
Paul Johnson
Lay Pastor
Paul joined Third Baptist Church in May of 2021. Professionally, he manages a team of data analysts for a telecommunications company. Paul and his wife, Elizabeth, have been married since September 2012 and have six children: Wesley, Walker, Warren, Lydia, Charlotte, and William, who went home to be with the Lord in January 2026.
Originally from West Hartford, Connecticut, Paul moved to Tennessee during high school and has called it home ever since. Outside of ministry and work, he enjoys spending time outdoors, working in his shop, and cheering on Nashville SC.
Education & Training
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting Management — Maranatha Baptist University
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology — Strayer University
Ministry Staff
Caleb Windings
IT, Media, Assistant Music Director
Caleb serves in IT and media ministry and helps support technology, livestreaming, and media production for the church.
He and his wife Amber have two children, Bella and Micah.
Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Cinema/Photography
- Pursuing Master of Divinity, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Daneris Escobar
Hispanic Music Director
Daneris serves as the music director for the Hispanic Minister alongside pastor Jorge at Third Baptist Church. His wife and family have attended and served faithfully for several years.
Morgan Tilton
Children’s Ministry Director & Biblical Counselor
Morgan oversees ministry to preschool and children’s families and also serves in biblical counseling ministry. She has attended Third Baptist Church since 2000.
Morgan and her husband, Nate, have two children, Isaac and Corrie.
Education
- B.S. in Elementary Education, Middle Tennessee State University
- M.A. in Biblical Counseling, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Kim Lang
Business Administrator
Kim serves as Business Administrator and works closely with pastors and church leadership in financial administration, human resources, and church operations.
She and her husband Scott have two daughters, Morgan (Nate) and Julianne (Marcus), and five grandchildren: Isaac, Corrie, Nora, Elisapeta, and Jacob
Rachel Hamblen
Publications & Communications
Rachel has served at Third Baptist Church since 2016 and oversees publications and communications for the church.
Rachel and her husband, Jeff, have four children: Abigail (Andrew), Claire, Jacob (Reed), and Emma. She enjoys spending time with family, traveling, reading, and sewing.
Christie Jennings
Hospitality & Events Coordinator
Christie joined the administrative staff in 2018 and coordinates hospitality and events throughout the church.
Christie and her husband, Bobby, have three children: Cari (Chris), Laura Beth (James), and Cameron (Katie), and enjoy serving together and spending time with their family and grandchildren.
Jeff Duke
Membership Data Coordinator
Jeff joined the administrative staff in 2018 and helps oversee membership records and church data systems.
He and his wife Nancy have two daughters and two granddaughters, Raegan and Reese
FACILITIES TEAM
Matt Crabill
Facilities Supervisor
Matt has served as Facilities Supervisor since 2007 and oversees the maintenance and care of the church campus.
Vern Frey
Facilities Assistant
Vern has faithfully served at Third Baptist Church since 2006 and assists with facilities and campus operations.
Jason Gadbois
Facilities Assistant
Jason serves as a facilities assistant alongside Matt and Vern. He and is wife Kelsie have two beautiful children.