National Staff
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Mark Robbins – Executive DirectorMark serves as our visionary and organizational director. He spends most of his day working with the business side of the ministry ensuring that there are effective systems in place throughout. He was the initiator and director of our third most successful city network, First Priority Tri-States in Middlesboro, KY. Under his leadership First Priority Tri-States has grown to 14 counties and 81 middle and high schools in rural Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia since 1996. Mark manages his own small business and adds years of experience in business management to First Priority of America. Mark resides in eastern Kentucky with his wife, Michelle, and his three children Mikaela, Morgan, and Micah. Mark’s family attends Pump Springs Church in Harrogate, TN. mark@fpoa.org |
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Mark Roberts – Director of MinistryMark Roberts serves as our city trainer and ministry director. He spends most of his day working with the team that serves the local cities across the country. He was part of the team that developed our first major FP local city almost 20 years ago, Birmingham, AL. He has an extensive background in student leadership training through organizations like; SLU, N.A.M.B., and Northpoint Community. He has also spoken to thousands of teenagers over the years, sharing the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the call to be a missionary on their school campus. Mark currently resides in Tampa, Florida with his wife, Tonya, and his two sons Hayden and Cole. Mark’s family attends South Tampa Fellowship, where his identical brother Todd serves as Associate Pastor of ministry. roberts@fpoa.org |
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Brad Schelling – Director of ExpansionBrad serves as our city expansion director. He spends most of his day working with the Phase 1-3 FP cities alongside Mark Roberts. He has been in student ministry since 1997, and served as a FP campus coach for 6 ? years, while serving as Youth Pastor at his local church. He continues to serve local communities in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa helping them develop their local city movements. He joined the FPOA team in January of 2008. Brad currently resides in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with his wife Erika, and his three children Josiah, Kaci, and Morgan. Brad’s family attends First Reformed Church in Sioux Falls, SD. brad@fpoa.org |
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Steve Cherrico – Director of City ServicesSteve serves as our city services director. Steve spends most of his day working with the Phase 2-4 FP cities alongside Mark Roberts. He has been in student ministry since 1995, and served as a FP campus coach for 4 years, while serve as a Youth Pastor at his local church. He continues to serve local communities in and around Nashville TN., as well as being part of the New York City network. He joined the FPOA team in March of 2008. Steve currently resides in West Orange, NJ with his wife Jessi, and his two sons Justus and Nate. Steve’s family attends The Life Christian Church and helps with the leadership of the youth ministry at the church. steve@fpoa.org |
Mid West Communities
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Paul Anglin – City Director Greater Cincinnati, OHPaul serves as the City Director for First Priority of Greater Cincinnati. His involvement with First Priority goes back to 1998. He was an area Student Pastor in the First Priority Tri-States region; Paul received a call from a middle school teen inviting him to be the guest speaker at their First Priority campus meeting. Seven students committed their lives to Christ that morning … he has been ˜hooked” ever since. Paul and his family (Lara, Aaron & Isaac) reside in Ludlow, KY, which is in the shadow of Downtown Cincinnati. There Paul also serves as the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Ludlow. paul@fpcinci.org |
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Jim Keck – Area Director Muskegon, MIJim serves as the Area Director for First Priority of Muskegon, MI. He has worked with students for over 35 years, and since 1985 as a youth pastor. He and his wife Toni helped initiate FP of Muskegon in 1998. He enjoys participating and promoting everything that will help leads students to know Christ and develop into His disciples. Jim also enjoys Christian apologetics and the discussions that follow. He resides in Twin Lake Michigan with his wife Toni, and son Zack. He also has two married daughters, Tiffany and Stephanie, who have delighted them with three grandchildren. He and his family are members of Evanston Ave. Baptist Church. jimkeck@firstpriority.org |
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Randy White – Executive Director, Lakeshore, MIRandy serves as Executive Director for First Priority of the Lake Shore. He has been working with students for over 11 years. Randy went to school at Ferris State University. Randy loves serving local churches and school campuses. He joined with First Priority in September 2000 with a burden to see the church united on Middle and High School campuses for intentional evangelism. Randy lives in Muskegon, Michigan with his wife Jeannine and their daughter who has graduated from Olivet Nazarene. As a family they worship at Shoreline Community Church. fpwhite@sbcglobal.net |
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Kenda Ladd – Administrative Assistant, Lakeshore, MIKenda serves as the Administrative Assistant for First Priority of the Lake Shore. She has been working with students for over 3 years. She went to school at Ovid-Elsie High School in Michigan. She loves serving local churches and school campuses. She joined with First Priority in January of 2008 with a burden to see the church united on Middle and High School campuses for intentional evangelism. She lives in Spring Lake MI with her husband David and their 2 children, Nick & Jenna. As a family they worship at Lakeshore Lutheran Fellowship Church. firstpriorityls@sbcglobal.net |
South Communities
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Tim Bargo – Executive Director Tri-County, KYTim serves as Executive Director for First Priority Tri-County, KY. He spends most of his day working with schools, board members, fundraising, and promoting First Priority locally. He has been in youth ministry for 10 years and as a youth pastor/campus coach for 7 years. He also served 2 years as club director for FP Tri-States. Tim resides in Corbin Kentucky with his wife Tammy and three teenagers, Brittany, Justin, and Dylan. Tim and his family are actively involved at Immanuel Church in Corbin, KY. tim@studentsreachstudents.com |
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John Carruth – Area Director ArkLaTexJohn serves as Executive Director for First Priority ArkLaTex. He has been working with students for over 13 years serving on local church staff in Louisiana and Mississippi. John loves serving local Youth Pastors and school campuses. He joined with First Priority in March of 2010 with a burden to see the church united on Middle and High School campuses for intentional evangelism. John lives in Shreveport, LA with his wife Shelley and their two children, Jacob and Madison. As a family they worship at Broadmoor Baptist Church. john@arklatexfp.org |
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Greg Davis – President of Board Greater Birmingham, ALGreg serves as the President of the Board of Directors for First Priority Greater Birmingham, AL. While in his early 20s, he became involved with First Priority as a local church youth pastor. He then joined the staff of First Priority in Birmingham in 1996. He is closing in on 17 years of First Priority service on the campus, network, city, regional and national levels. Greg’s passion is that every student has the opportunity to know God personally. He currently spends most of his time providing vision for the ministry and engaging with businesses and donors who provide the foundation of support for the organization. Greg graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from The University of Alabama at Birmingham, and a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Theological Seminary. He has been married to Sandi for 13 years and has two children Trent and Meagan. Most of his time outside First Priority is focused on his family and their church, Gardendale Baptist. greg@firstpriority.org |
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Jeramey Fleenor – Area Director Tri-StatesJeramey serves as the Campus Directer for FIrst Priority Tri-State. He spends most of his day visiting the campuses, and being a servant to the students, staff, and volunteers on the campus. Following his acceptance of Christ during a First Priority event in his home town, Jeramey as been an active member of First Priority. He has served in the capacity of a volunteer speaker, campus coach, and finally full time staff. Jeramey has been a Student Minister since 1999Â and adds those years of ministry experience to FIrst Priority Tri-State. Jeramey resides in South-West Virginia with his wife Natasha and two children Allyson, and Logan. Jeramey’s family attends St.Charles Church of God in St. Charles, Va. jeramey@fpts.org |
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J.C. Kimmer – Area Coordinator Suffolk, VAJ.C serves as the Area Coordinator for First Priority Suffolk, VA. Since August of 2005, he has been coaching First Priority Clubs on the campuses of Forest Glen Middle School and Lakeland High School while organizing and leading the student ministry at Southside Baptist Church in Suffolk, VA. Before joining the FP staff, J.C. graduated from Liberty University with a B.S. in Religion and a specialization in Youth Ministry. He also served at a previous church for five years before coming on with Southside Baptist. He and his wife have a beautiful daughter, and their son is a mini version of his dad. JCKimmer@sbcsuffolk.org |
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Emery Minton – Executive DirectoryEmery serves as Executive Director for First Priority Tri-States, located in 7 Counties of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. He has been working with students for more than 25 years, serving as a Youth Pastor, Campus Ministry, and Youth Evangelist. After serving FPTS as a board member for 5 years and a campus coach for 14 years he joined the First Priority Tri-States Team in 2007 as the executive director. He is married to Beth and has two teenagers Laura and Trae who have both been student leaders in their schools. Emery’s family attends Pump Springs Baptist Church in Harrogate, TN where he and Beth served in full time ministry for over 16 years and are currently serving as a volunteers in collegiate ministry. emery@fpts.org |
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Dean Ross – Initiator New Orleans, LADean serves as the Area Director of First Priority NOLA in New Orleans, LA. He also serves as Executive Director and founder of Abandon Productions and serves on the board of the New Orleans Youth Minister’s Network. A native of the region, he brings well over 4 years of campus ministry experience as manager of My School Outreach for the North American Mission Board and serving on staff with Next Generation. He also holds a Marketing degree from Southeastern LA University. Dean & his wife Laura have been married for 5 years and have a 2 year old son, Colden. They live in Metairie, LA, where they are actively involved in their local church. dean@abandonproductions.org |
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JD Simpson – Executive Director South MississippiJD serves as Executive Director for First Priority South Mississippi. He has been working with students for over 26 years. JD went to school at LSU for his BS degree, and New Orleans Theological Seminary for Masters in Religious Education and Doctorate of Educational Ministry. He loves serving local churches and school campuses. He joined with First Priority in July of 1999. He serves as a member of the Board of Directors for First Priority of America. JD lives in Hattiesburg, MS with his wife Carol and their four children, James Robert, Caroline, Kemp, and Anne Walker. As a family they worship at Temple Baptist Church. jd@fpsouthms.org |
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Brandon Starnes – Area Director Greater Decatur, ALBrandon serves as Area Director for First Priority Greater Decatur, in three counties in North Alabama. Brandon received his Bachelor of General Studies and Religion from William Carey College in 2005, Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary 2009. He has been in student ministry since 2002 and has served at several churches, most recently being Westmeade Baptist Church of Decatur, AL as Youth Pastor. Brandon is a native of Mississippi and currently resides in Decatur,AL with his wife Dana. Brandon continues serving as Youth Pastor at his local church while partnering with North Alabama counties to help them develop their local city movements. brandon@fpdecatur.org |
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Haley Wherry – Area Director Blue Ridge, TNHaley serves as Area Director for First Priority Blue Ridge, located in the 8 Counties of Northeast Tennessee. He has been working with students for more than 17 years, serving as a Youth Pastor, Campus Ministry Coordinator and Youth Event Coordinator. Haley joined the First Priority Team in 2008, and established First Priority Blue Ridge in January of 2010. He is married to Kelly and has two teenagers – Brock and Barrett. Haley’s family attends Heritage Baptist Church in Johnson City, TN where he and Kelly serve as a volunteers in the youth ministry. haley@firstpriority.org |
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Matt Wilson – Executive Director Greater Birmingham, ALMatt is currently the Executive Director of First Priority of Greater Birmingham our flagship local organization. He has been in youth ministry in 1998 and has been on staff with First Priority since 2004. In that time, Matt has been able to speak to hundreds of students weekly on local public school campuses. He holds a degree from the University of Mobile and a Master’s of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He enjoys spending time with his family, training for triathlons, and being an advocate for orphans around the world. He is married to Michelle and has two children, Jess and Miriam. matt@gofirstpriority.com |
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James Cato- Area Director – FP Greater BirminghamJames serves as the Area Director of Metro west, Hueytown and Pleasant Grove area for FP Greater Birmingham. He spends most of his day working with schools, schools, churches, parents, and promoting First Priority locally. He has been in youth ministry for 11 years and as a youth pastor/campus coach for 9 years. James resides in Mount olive with his wife Christy and two kids, Drake and Dawson. James and his family are actively involved at Living Word Ministries church and also serve in Pastoral ministry there. james@gofirstpriority.com |
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Dan Maciuk – Executive Director – FP Greater NashvilleDan serves as the Executive Director of FP Greater Nashville. He spends most of his day working with schools, board members, fundraising, and promoting First Priority locally. He has been in youth ministry for 10 years and as a youth pastor/campus coach for 2 years. Dan resides in Nashville with his wife Jenn and their daughter Everleigh. Dan and his family are actively involved at Slowburn Nashville. dan@firstpriority.org |
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Chris Robbins – Administrative Director – FP South MississippiChris serves as the Administrative Director for FP South Mississippi. He spends most of his day working in support of schools, schools, churches, parents, and other networks promoting First Priority. He has been in youth ministry for 10 years and as a youth pastor/campus coach for 5 years. Chris resides in Hattiesburg, MS with his wife Ondrea and two kids, Alexandria (5), Lucas (2). Chris and his family are actively involved at North Columbia Baptist Church where Chris is serving as Interim Youth Minister. chris@fpsouthms.org |
South East Communities
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Tony Hevener – Area Director Central FloridaTony serves as Area Director for First Priority of Central Florida. He has been involved with youth ministry for over 20 years. He has served on Young Life and local church staffs stateside and overseas. He joined the First Priority team in 2010, launching ministry in Central Florida. His heart is to help local church youth ministries succeed and get the Gospel to every student in the Central Florida area. He lives in Clermont, FL with his wife Sheri and has two grown daughters, Alexis and Emily. Tony and his family attend Mosaic Community Church in Oakland, FL. tony@firstpriority.org |
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Brent Allen – Area Director – FP Central Gulf CoastBrent serves as the Area Director for FP Central Gulf Coast. He spends most of his day working with schools, churches, parents, and promoting First Priority locally. He has been in youth ministry for 10 years and as a youth pastor/campus coach for 10 years. Brent resides in Pensacola, FL with his wife Wendy and three kids, Jonathan, Rachel Grace, and David. Brent and his family are actively involved in pastoral ministry at Storypoint Church in Gulf Breeze, FL. brent@firstprioritycgc.org |
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Arthur Connor – Area Director – FP South FloridaArthur serves as the Area Director of Miami/Dade Area for FP South Florida. He spends most of his day working with schools, schools, churches, parents, and promoting First Priority locally. He has been in youth ministry for XX years and as a youth pastor/campus coach for XX years. Arthur resides in Miami with his wife XXXX and two kids, XXXX, XXXX. Arthur and his family are actively involved at Metropolitan Church in Miami, FL. arthur@firstpriority.cc |
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Chris Lane – Executive Director – FP South FloridaChris serves as the Executive Director of FP South Florida. He spends most of his day working with schools, board members, fundraising, and promoting First Priority locally. He has been in youth ministry for over 20 years and as a youth pastor/campus coach for13 years. Chris resides in Ft Lauderdale with his wife and three kids. Chris and his family are actively involved at their church in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. chris@firstpriority.cc |
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Fred Revell – Executive Director – FP South FloridaFred serves as the Associate Director of FP South Florida. He spends most of his day working with the leadership team, guiding ministry operations and initiating strategy augmentations/enhancements. He has been in youth ministry for 31 years, had been a youth pastor/First Priority campus coach for 2 years before joining Chris on staff in 2000. Fred resides in Ft Lauderdale with his wife Janet and three kids Anna, Nathan and Leah. Fred and his family are actively involved at Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale, but also ministers in worship or youth interim work at a local churches. fred@firstpriority.cc |
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Jeff Stanford – Area Director – FP South FloridaJeff serves as the Area Director of Palm Beach & Treasure Coast Area for FP South Florida. He spends most of his day working with schools, schools, churches, parents, and promoting First Priority locally. He has been in youth ministry for 14 years and as a youth pastor/campus coach for 12 years. Jeff resides in Palm Beach with his wife Brandi and two kids Courtney and Austin. Jeff and his family are actively involved in the local church in Palm Beach, FL. jeff@firstpriority.cc |
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Shea Vosler – Area Director – FP Tampa BayShea serves as an Area Director for FP Tampa Bay. He spends most of his day working with schools, schools, churches, parents, and promoting First Priority locally. He has been in youth ministry for 7 years and as a youth pastor/campus coach for 2 years. Shea resides in Tampa with his wife Brittany. They are actively involved at South Tampa Fellowship and also serves in the youth ministry there. shea@firstpriority.org |
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Scott Avriett – Executive Director – FP Tampa FloridaScott serves as the Executive Director of FP Tampa Bay. He spends most of his day working with schools, board members, fundraising, and promoting First Priority locally. He has been in youth ministry for 6 years and as the local FP director for 3 years. Scott resides in Tampa Bay with his wife Stephanie and their three children Isabel, Gracie, and Benjamin. Scott and his family are actively involved at South Tampa Fellowship in Tampa. scott@firstpriority.org |
West Communities
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Shannon Popp – Area Director Front Range, COShannon serves as Area Director for First Priority Front Range. He has been working with students for over 3 years at Creekside Church in Aurora. Shannon went to school at ACC (Aurora Community College) He loves serving local Youth Pastors and school campuses. He joined with First Priority in February 2008 with a burden to see the church united on Middle and High School campuses for intentional evangelism. Shannon lives in Aurora, CO with his wife Ginger and their daughter Michaiah. As a family they worship at Creekside Bible Church. shannon@firstpriority.org |
Founder
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Benny Proffitt – FounderBenny Proffitt is a native of Tennessee. He graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee and Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He taught high school and coached basketball for eight years while serving as a bi-vocational youth pastor. Benny served as a local church youth pastor for 27 years.Benny’s experience as both a high school teacher and a youth minister birthed the vision that led him to start the ministry of First Priority. The past 10 years he has traveled and spoken, nationally and internationally. He has done training in over 800 cities in America covering all 50 states sharing the vision and strategy of First Priority.Benny has appeared on CNN, ABC News, TBN, and various local Christian and family channels. He also had a feature article in Time Magazine.Benny has authored books, training manuals and many articles designed to support a city-wide youth ministry strategy focused on successful local church disciple-making, student-led campus ministry and cooperative community evangelism. Seeing the Church united in a city, committed to reach the next generation for Christ is his heart’s cry and passion.Benny and his wife Marilou have been married 33 years and have three children and five grandchildren. They currently reside in Brentwood, Tennessee and attend Brentwood Baptist Church. |
