Dr. John Whittaker is a graduate of Murray State University, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Union University. He was called and Pastor to FBC, Franklin in November 2017. He has been in ministry for nearly twenty-five years and has pastored or staffed churches across Kentucky and in Tennessee. 

John and Jessica celebrated twenty four years of marriage in December 2022. They have three daughters who love music and play piano and strings. John's hobbies are tennis, hunting, archery, fishing, and playing outside with family, John and Jessica enjoy playing tennis, landscaping, DIY projects, riding bikes, and playing board games. 

Bro. John's current reading list includes: Chris Hodges, C. S. Lewis, Robert Ludlum, and Jefferson Bethke. He is a regular listener to podcasts like Albert Mohler's The Briefing, Rainer on Leadership, Deep Roots at Home, and Kentucky Sports Radio.

Jackson Gray is our Minister of Music & Worship. He has been on Staff since June 2022. He is a graduate of Murray State University and Liberty University. 

Jackson has led worship at Crossings Youth Camps, Kentucky churches and campus ministry at Murray State. Jackson and Callie are newlyweds, married in September 2022. We  are blessed to have the Grays as part of our church. Jackson enjoys hiking, basketball, and playing guitar.

Lindsay England graduated from Bowling Green Technical College and South Florida School of Floral Design.  Lindsay worked at a local florist for 21 years before God called her to serve in Children’s Ministry.  She joined our staff in January 2023.  Lindsay is a lifetime member of FBC and has faithfully served in our children’s ministry in VBS and numerous other children’s activities.  She is married to Brent and they have two children, Owen and Avery.  Lindsay enjoys watching her children perform in Franklin-Simpson Arts Council plays/musicals, fishing with family, singing, baking, and spoiling their beagle, Archie.

The journey in ministry bring Brenda and David Jicka back home to FBC, Franklin after serving as senior pastor in eight churches, then Associate Executive Minister for West Virginia Baptist Convention. Through fifty-nine years of ministry they rejoice in being greatly blessed following his ordination here in 1964. After several interim opportunities they have returned to this church believing there is no retirement from the Lord's service. 

For the last five years, David has served as Minister of Pastoral Care at FBC. He and Brenda reaches out to those needing attention as homebound, in special care facilities, in hospital visitation, in counseling, and many who need assurance of God's love. 

David  and Brenda have been married for fifty-nine years and have three sons, five grandchildren, and a dog named Andy. 

Teresa is married to Steve Stinson.  She has been the office administrator of First Baptist Church since 2008.  In October of 1973, the Lord saved me and then I was baptized in a local creek of significance called Drakes Creek.  I enjoy cooking and spending time with friends, family and my beautiful grandchildren. The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful family and being a part of First Baptist Church.   The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.  Psalm 29:11

Missy Brandon, has been the director of Happyland Daycare for 19 years. Born in Detroit, MI, she lived in Gainesboro, TN and Tampa, FL before finally moving to Franklin and she has lived here since second grade. She is married to Phillip and they have been married for 22 years. They have one stepson, Tyler, who is 35, and one daughter, Hailey, who is 21. Missy is also known as “Nan” to two precious grandsons, Jordan and Jeremiah. They spend their summers at the lake with family and friends. She lives for Monday nights when The Voice comes on, Saturdays are filled with shopping, and Sundays are spent with family and friends at church.