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Staff
Ryan Chandler
Senior Pastor
C. Ryan Chandler grew up in South Texas in a small farming community outside of San Antonio. He received his undergraduate degree from The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Theology and Philosophy. He graduated with his M.Div. from Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary in 2017. He is currently working on his D.Min. at Truett.
Ryan and his wife, Amy, just celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary this past June. They met at UMHB their freshman year and have been together ever since. Amy is a nurse and is exploring nursing position options in Ft. Bend County. They have two boys, a six-year-old named Beckham and a two-year-old named Baker. The Chandler family loves soccer, the beach, cold brew coffee, crime documentaries, Star Wars, podcasts, 90s country music, unique restaurants, hosting dinner parties, reading, and uneventful Saturdays at home.
Sandy Bills
Minister with Students & Families
Sandy Bills is FBC's Minister with Students and Families. Having served in other roles prior to her current position, Sandy is continuing to nurture deep roots in this community of faith. Those roots are deep AND wide as she walks alongside children from birth through high school. One of her deep passions is ministering to the whole family. This truly takes a village - a village known as First Baptist Church of Richmond.
I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. Ephesians 3:16-17
Ashley Kennedy
First Baptist School Director
Ashley Kennedy was born and raised in Louisiana. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor's of Science. She married Brian and they have 3 children, Taylor, Mason and Kaitland (Kaity). All 3 children have attended FBSR, and have now moved on to "big school".
Ashley enjoys the outdoors, sports, water activities, and just having fun. She loves being around children of all ages.
"Children remind us of how simple life can be, we choose to complicate things. Children are truly a blessing from God."
The Kennedy family are members at FBC and are involved in many aspects of the church.
Katie Boudreaux
Assistant Director of First Baptist School & Financial Manager
Katie was born and raised in Louisiana. She graduated from LSU with a Bachelor's in Education in 2005. In 2017, she obtained a 2nd degree in Human Sciences: Nutrition from the University of Alabama. Katie and her husband, Trey, have two boys, both of whom attended FBSR. The Boudreauxs joined the church in 2015 shortly after moving from Louisiana. Katie loves to fish, swim, and bike ride with her boys any chance she gets.
Caitlin Valdez
Ministry Assistant
Caitlin was born and raised in Richmond, Texas. She graduated from Texas A&M University in 2010 and from nursing school in 2015. Caitlin and her husband, Ruben, have two boys. Caitlin is a lifelong member of FBC Richmond, leads weekly Family Music Time, is involved in VBS yearly, and has been a choir member. She enjoys spending time with her family and their animals, reading, and cheering for Astros baseball.
‘Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.’ 1 John 3:18
John Lockhart
Pastor Emeritus
John Lockhart was called to First Baptist Church in August of 1983. This calling was to his first pastorate. John was raised in Jackson, Mississippi, and graduated from Mississippi College. He received his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has studied pastoral care and counseling in Houston through the Pastoral Care Department of Memorial Hermann Hospital System. He is currently enrolled in the Academy for Spiritual Formation.
One of the old confessions of faith declares that our chief end is to love God and enjoy Him forever. I believe that. We ought to do that as early as we can and for as long as we can.
John and his wife, Sharon, have two sons, Joshua and Joseph, who both live in the Houston area.