Our staff

	Dr. Howell Burkhead, senior pastor Howell became pastor of First Baptist Church in his hometown in 2007. He was born in Houston in 1951. He committed his life to the ministry in 1967 and served as pastor of Valley Center Baptist Church, near Hartshon, when he was a junior in high school. Howell attended Southwest Baptist University and earned a bachelor of arts degree. He also received a master of divinity degree and a doctor of philosophy degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He met and married Tileta Johnson of Festus, Mo., while serving as pastor of his first full-time church, in Jefferson County. They have two grown children, James Walker and Emily May.
	Harold Bruening, associate pastor Harold joined our staff as interim youth minister in October 1998 and became our full-time associate pastor in April 1999. He is a graduate of Quachita Baptist University and holds a master's degree in religious education from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo. He worked the last 18 years as manager of South Missouri Baptist Assembly. He and his wife, Ann, have two grown children.
	Bonnie McElroy, minister of music Bonnie and her husband, Jack, returned to the Houston area in 1996. Bonnie previously served as music director at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Overland Park, Kan., for seven years. She also directed the handbell choir and children's choir at First Baptist Sweetwater Church in Longwood, Fla. The McElroys have two grown children.
	Debra Stockard, ministry assistant Debra is originally from Willow Springs, Mo., but has lived in Houston for the past 17 years. She enjoys singing with our celebration choir and praise team and being a part of other church activities. She also enjoys ministering to others through her group, Shekinah Glory. She is active in civic and community activities and likes to spend time with family and friends in her spare time. She is married to Joe Stockard and they have one son, Andrew, graduated from Houston High School in 2011.
	Frank Fry, facilities manager Frank has been married to his wife, Doris, for 54 years. He has three grown daughters. He is a deacon in the church and a past Sunday School director and teacher.