Support Staff

The Elders

Dan Garland (dan.g@silvertonfirstbaptist.org) has pastored churches in Idaho and Oregon. He currently is an adjunct professor at Corban College and Faith Seminary. Besides serving as an elder at Silverton First Baptist, he is active in teaching Sunday School, leading a Life Group, and counseling. A cowboy at heart, he owns a couple of horses and wishes he could ride more often. Dan is married to Kathy and they have four children.
Duke Ricketts (duke.r@silvertonfirstbaptist.org) has a background in public school education. His administrative gifts help to keep a variety of church ministries focused and on task. He teaches a Sunday School class and coordinates the Ambassadors (seniors 55+ yrs.) ministry. In his spare time he likes to read Louis L'Amour novels and follow the University of Oregon Duck sports teams. Duke is married to Bev and they have two children.
Tom Smith (tom.s@silvertonfirstbaptist.org) has been pastor of Silverton First Baptist since April 2008. Prior to that, he served churches in Oregon as youth pastor and interim senior pastor. He also spent eighteen years as a missionary in a Muslim village in Kenya. His favorite read is books on spiritual life and leadership. Besides the usual sports, he also enjoys disc golf and unicycling. Tom is married to Sherie and they have three children.
Jack Holt (jack.h@silvertonfirstbaptist.org) has a background in business and pharmacy. He is a gifted multi-tasker and has the ability to move easily from family, to church, to business concerns. At church he leads a LifeGroup and is the current chairman of the elder council. Fair-minded and objective, he is calm under pressure and remains optimistic. Jack is married to Lori and they have three children.

Full-time ministry staff

Tom Smith (tom.s@silvertonfirstbaptist.org) has served as an elder and pastor since 2008. His primary spiritual gifts are preaching and exhortation. He strives to present timeless biblical truth in new ways to encourage and inspire life change in the listeners. Married to Sherie since 1984, they have three daughters. As a family, they depend on God's grace for daily progress as they follow Jesus by faith.
Steve Brock (steve.b@silvertonfirstbaptist.org) has been director of youth ministries-junior high through college-since March 2009. Pursuing his degree in Youth and Family ministry at Corban College, he met and married Nicole in August 2008. Steve has a heart for youth and missions. He and Nicole are excited about helping young people grow in their spiritual life, loving God and serving others in Jesus' name. In his spare time, he enjoys God's great outdoors through hunting, fishing, and hiking.

Part-time and volunteer staff

Debbie King (debbie.k@silvertonfirstbaptist.org) has been church secretary since July 2005. She is responsible for scheduling the church calendar, updating the weekly worship folder, updating news items on the website, and keeping the office running smoothly. Welcoming drop-in visitors, replying to emails, and answering the phone is done with a cheerful and pleasant attitude.
Casey Murphy (casey.m@silvertonfirstbaptist.org) is currently serving part-time as the church administrative assistant. He earned a degree in Economics and a Masters of Teaching from Willamette University. Casey supports the pastors with their administrative needs and serves as a liason between the Deacon Board and the church staff. He and his wife Rebecca are involved with church music ministries and enjoy hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities.