Our 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.
Dr. Richard D. Seagle
Senior Pastor
A native of Marion, NC, Richard D. Seagle has served First Baptist Church of New Bern since 1992, becoming Senior Pastor in 2016 after 25 years in youth and family ministry. He holds degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond, and completed Clinical Pastoral Education at NC Baptist Hospital.
Richard and his wife, Melodie, have two children, Chandler and Jenna. He enjoys family travels, music, reading, and cheering on the Tar Heels.
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.
Sheree Bagley
Children's Minister
Sheree G. Bagley, a Charlotte native, joins First Baptist Church from Brushy Creek Baptist in Taylors, SC. With over 30 years in Children’s Ministry, including 10 as Preschool Minister, she is passionate about equipping parents and leaders to help children know Christ and feel loved.
Sheree and her husband, Chris, have been married 32 years and have two adult children, Logan and Samantha. She enjoys sunsets on the porch, the beach, and time with family.
Rev. Nick Lewis
Associate Pastor of Youth and
Family Life
Rev. Nick Lewis is a husband, father, and dedicated servant leader. Raised in Reelsboro, Pamlico County, he felt called to ministry as a teenager after experiencing the love and support of his church community. He earned his degree in religion from the University of Mount Olive and has served as both a youth pastor and senior pastor. In 2014, he returned to the area to pastor in New Bern and later became an educator while continuing to support local churches. He and his wife, Christie, have two children, Ava and Carter, and enjoy family time and community involvement.
Rev. Michael McKnight
Interim Minister of Music
Rev. Michael McKnight retired from Oakmont Baptist Church, Greenville, at the end of 2021, having served 28 years as their Minister of Music. While serving as one of the accompanists for the NCBSO, he is able to keep both his piano and his cello skills active.
For the past two summers he was a featured performer at Summerfest, a senior adult conference at Camp Caswell. Michael is enjoying retirement, with days filled with time to play basketball and disc golf, assisting area churches in a variety of musical ways and acting as ‘chef-on-demand’ for his wife, Donna. Michael joined the FBC staff the first of January, 2025 as interim minister of music.
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Rev. Barry Templeton
Associate Pastor of Senior Adults
Rev. Templeton began serving as the Associate Pastor of Senior Adults in January 2025. He previously served as Associate Pastor of Music and Worship for twenty-one years at FBC New Bern.
Rev. Templeton received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, NC, and later received the Master of Church Music Degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He is married to Yvonne H. Templeton, and they have three daughters and six grandchildren.
Sandy O'Brien
Director of Finance
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.
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.
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Tyler Barker
Church Custodian
Tyler joined the First Baptist staff in 2019. He is married to Carla Barker who works in Craven County Schools. They most recently welcomed their first child in 2025.
Kit Emmerich
Church 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.
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.
Naomi Daugherty
Summer Intern - Childrens and Youth Ministries
Naomi is a resident of Craven County and began her internship at First Bapist during the summer of 2025.
She is a senior at Liberty University working towards a degree in interdisciplinary studies of religion and education. Growing up as a pastor's kid, she has been serving in the church her whole life. Naomi's heart is for the kids, she is excited to see what God does this summer!