Senior Pastor
Dr. Steven Parker
Dr. Parker has been our senior pastor since February 2008. Prior to serving our congregation, he served as the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Cotulla and Community Baptist Church in Dublin and the youth pastor of First Baptist Church of Hawley. Along the way our pastor earned a Bachelors of Behavioral Science in Applied Theology from Hardin-Simmons University, a Master’s of Divinity from Logsdon Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Associate Pastors
Raymond Sanchez
Raymond Sanchez joined the staff at First Baptist Church Weslaco in 2013 and currently serves as the Pastor of Worship and Administration at First Baptist Church Weslaco. Raymond holds a Bachelors of Music Education from Baylor University and a Masters of Divinity at Logsdon Seminary.
Pastor Ray also is an adjunct professor at Stark College and Seminary where he teaches a class on one of his favorite subjects - Worship!
Most recently, Pastor Ray wrote a children’s musical for the FBCW treehouse club. He also writes weekly devotionals for the church, hosts the We Are One Worship Podcast, occasionally writes a worship blog, and is working to make his music available for download. You can subscribe to his youtube channel here.
Ministerial Support Staff
Cindy Cortez, Office Manager
Cindy has served God’s Kingdom at FBC Weslaco since 2010. She keeps the office going in the right direction and adds levity to weekly staff meetings. If there is a financial need in the church, Cindy finds a way to meet it - probably taking from the music budget.
Elizabeth Ramirez, Administrative assistant
“Liz” has served at FBC Weslaco since 2014. In addition to coordinating the church calendar and keeping the church up to date with bulletins and social media posts, Liz helps make First Baptist the place where everybody knows your name. If you have visited FBCW at any time, you have probably encountered the smiling face of our Director of First Impressions!
Bess Knapp Day Care Director
Erica Mata
Erica has served at Bess Knapp Day Care since 2011. Since she took over as Director in 2015, the daycare has increased enrollment, classroom space, and in the capacity to serve. Under Erica’s leadership, Bess Knapp has also maintained a four-star level with Texas Rising Star and has been voted “Best Childcare Center in Weslaco” every year.