Staff

Our church's staff is made up of dedicated individuals who are passionate about serving others and living out Christ's teachings. If you have questions about FBC New Bern or need assistance of any kind, do not hesitate to reach out to a member of team.

Meet The Team

Dr. Richard D. Seagle

Senior Pastor

Richard D. Seagle is a native of Marion, North Carolina. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He received a Master of Divinity and Christian Education degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Richard also studied Clinical Pastoral Education with The School of Pastoral Care at the North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond. Richard has served at First Baptist Church of New Bern since 1992. During the first 25 years of his tenure at New Bern, Richard was Associate Pastor of Youth and Family Life. Early in 2016, the church called him to be their Senior Pastor.

Richard has been married to Melodie Bowen Seagle since 1991. They have two children, Chandler and Jenna. Richard enjoys spending time traveling with his family, music, reading and is a Tar Heel sports fanatic.

Dr. Seagle can be reached at 252-638-5691 or via e-mail at richard@fbchurch.com.

Rev. Barry Templeton

Associate Pastor of Music and Senior Adults

Barry E. Templeton comes to First Baptist New Bern from First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, NC, where he served as Minister of Music for over fourteen years. He received his Music Education degree from Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, NC and his Master of Church Music degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

He is married to Yvonne, who is a retired teacher in the Craven County Schools. They have three children—Whitney, Caitlin, and Anna—and three grandchildren—Maddie, Greyson, and Maddox.

Reverend Templeton can be reached at 252-638-5691 or via e-mail at
barry@fbchurch.com.

Rev. Kerry Peeler

Associate Pastor of Christian Education

Kerry is a native of Vale, North Carolina. He graduated from North Carolina State University in 1987 with a Bachelor's in Computer Science. He received a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Christian Education degree from Campbell University. Kerry also studied Clinical Pastoral Education at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Kerry previously served as Pastor of Enfield Baptist Church, a Chaplain with Lower Cape Fear Hospice, and a Minister of Education at First Baptist of Whiteville.

Kerry is married to the Rev. Rochele Bailey, a United Methodist Pastor. They have a Shih-Tzu/Poodle mix named Gracie.

Reverend Peeler can be reached at 252-638-5691 or via e-mail at kerry@fbchurch.com.

Rev. Jeremy Slagle

Associate Pastor of Youth and Family Life

Jeremy L. Slagle is a native of Emporia, Virginia. He earned a Recreation, Parks and Tourism degree in May 2006 from Radford University and a Master of Divinity degree from Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond in May 2019. Jeremy was majoring in Computer Science and following his plan when God called him to ministry; he responded by changing his major.

Jeremy and his wife Diane have two sons, James “Jamie” and Evan. Diane has a degree in Health Services Administration from James Madison University and worked in a variety of medical practices before becoming a stay-at-home mom in 2011.

Jeremy enjoys spending time with his family, reading, playing video games, and is a Blue Devils basketball fan.

Reverend Slagle can be reached at 252-638-5691 or via e-mail at
jeremy@fbchurch.com.

Kelly Brinson

Director of Children's Ministry

Kelly W. Brinson grew up in the small town of Smithfield in Johnston County, NC where she was greatly involved in her local rural church. After attending Meredith College and earning a degree in Nutrition/Dietetics from North Carolina State University, she felt God’s call in her life to further her service in His Kingdom. She has always loved working with children in church and through summer camps. After heartfelt prayer, she left her career in dietetics to pursue a Master of Arts in Christian Education which she completed in 1999 at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. She has spent over 10 years working in preschool, children and youth ministries. It is her heart’s desire that children learn and know about the love of Jesus and His gift of salvation and grace for them.

Kelly is married to Ronnie and has a daughter, Ava, and twin sons, Hunt and Jess. She enjoys going to the beach with her daughter and watching her boys play baseball.

Mrs. Brinson can be reached at 252-638-5691 or via e-mail at kelly@fbchurch.com.

Sandy O’Brien

Financial Secretary

Sandy M. O’Brien grew up in the blue grass state, Kentucky. The USMC at Cherry Point Air Station brought her and her family to North Carolina in 1995. In the summer of 1996, God blessed her with a wonderful job at First Baptist Church in New Bern as the church’s financial secretary. She is married to Wayne, a retired Marine. They have two grown sons, Anthony (Annie) and Michael. This Kentucky Girl loves spending time with her two beautiful grandchildren Landon and Addyson.

Mrs. O’ Brien can be reached at
252-638-5691 or via e-mail at sandy@fbchurch.com.

Loma Brown

Church Secretary

Loma S. Brown is a native of New Bern, NC. She worked 30 years in the cable communications industry before retiring in 2017.

She is married to Randy Brown and has three children, 1 stepdaughter and 2 grandchildren.

She enjoys crocheting, reading, and most of all, spending time with her family.

Mrs. Brown can be reached at 252-638-5691 or via email at loma@fbchurch.com.

Bette Jo Oglesby

Church Organist

B. J. Oglesby has been organist at FBC since June of 1996.

Kit Emmerich

Custodian

Kit is a native of New Bern, North Carolina. Some of you may know his daughters, Clara and Ellen, who participate in our Children's Ministry. His wife, Sarah, is an employee of Craven County Schools.

Kit enjoys spending time with his family, biking, visiting our beautiful parks and downtown New Bern, picking blueberries and strawberries, and going to the beach.

Gwyn Rice

Church Hostess/Family Life Center Kitchen Coordinator

Gwyn began her service at First Baptist Church in January of 2006.

Tyler Barker