Our Staff

Our Staff

			PASTOR Bro. Chad was born in Shreveport in 1976. He married his high school sweetheart, Angela, in 2000. Bro. Chad asked Christ to be his Lord and Savior when he was 21, and he answered God’s call to the gospel ministry shortly after. Please pray for our new pastor, his family, and First Baptist Church of Oil City as it prepares to search for a new pastor. Prior to being called to FBC of Oil City as pastor, Bro. Chad served Eastwood Baptist Church in Haughton from 2003 to 2007 as Minister to Students and then as Minister of Missions. He previously served as Youth Minister of First Baptist Church of Provencal, La.

			ASSOCIATE PASTOR / ADMINISTRATOR On staff since June 1994, Harrell oversees the Senior Adults and Outreach programs and assists with Pastoral Ministries. Harrell has a B. A.degree in Religion and a minor in Greek from Baylor University. Harrell also has 33 hours of master level course work from Baylor in Theology and Church History. In 1982, Harrell received his Masters of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Harrell and his wife, Anne, have four children, Aimee Anne Norcross, Cecilia Guerrerro, Bo Shelton, and Murphy Shelton.

			Minister of Education & Evangelism Dr. Bruce Edwards came to Airline July 2006. Brucehas earned degrees from McMurry College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also earned a PhD from Lousiana Baptist University. He is a national consultant for LifeWay Christian Resources in Creative Arts and FAITH Sunday School Evangelism. Bruce also serves on the advisory board of the Christian Creative Arts Association and is a consultant for them as well. Bruce has served on the faculty of East Texas Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has published several plays and articles for worship. Bruce is married to Judy Adkins Edwards and they have two children and five grandchildren.



				Minister to Youth Lee came to Airline in September 2007. Lee has served in churches in Mississippi & Louisiana in the area of student ministry for over 17 years. He has also served on the state level with the LBC Youth Evangelism Celebration Planning Team since 1999 and led conferences in the area of Youth Bible Study. He is a graduate of Mississippi College (B.A. ’93) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div ’97). He is originally from Jayess, Mississippi. Lee is married to Tammi Benson and they have 3 sons, Jeff, Bryce & Max and one daughter, Beth. His passions include being a husband & dad, hanging out with students and teaching them about Christ.


			Music Coordinator Ruth Shipp is the Music Coordinator for the church and also, directs the Young At Heart Senior Adult Choir. Ruth has a Bachelor of Music Education with majors in piano and voice from Louisiana State University. For over 60 years, she has served churches as organist, pianist, and minister of music. In addition, she has taught piano privately and taught music for 2 years at Airline High School. Ruth is married to Ken and has 2 sons, 1 daughter, 4 grandchildren and 1-great grandson.

			Minister of Music Jerry Elkins served approximately 18 years as Worship Leader at Airline before retiring in 2008. In June 2010, he answered the call to return to Airline as our Minister of Music. He was ordained to the ministry at Airline in 2006. Jerry graduated from Northwestern State University with a Masters +30 degree in Education. He taught school for 33 years in the Bossier and Caddo Parish School systems. Jerry is married to Ruth Elkins and has two children, Jeff Elkins and Shannon McInnis, and three grandchildren