REV. BRENDA THOMPSON
ASSOCIATE MINISTER TO STUDENTS 

Email: bthompsonok@hotmail.com
Brenda is a native Indiana Hoosier, and has lived  all over from Texas to the Bahamas serving in ministry. Brenda has a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School. Her undergraduate degree from Indiana University is in Outdoor Recreation and Leadership Development. Brenda started her career as a Camp Director for YMCA residential camps,  which is where she first felt a calling to serve youth and young adults. She has now served in youth ministry for over 12 years.  When Brenda is not hanging out at church with the most amazing youth, you can find her going to the movies with her daughter Caitlin, working in her garden, or walking her pups Amelia & Jackson. 

Phil Dennis
Youth Assistant

Phil has been married for 32 years this June, is the father of 3, and has lived in Gainesville since 2006. For most of his life, Phil has been in some form of youth ministry.  He worked at a Christian college, taught at a Christian school, worked at INK for four years, and has been involved in Boy Scouts for over 18 years.  Phil is thrilled to be part of this community at First Baptist Church where we embrace the Grace that God bestows so freely.  

Elizabeth Yearwood
Summer Intern

Elizabeth is a junior at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, Ga. She is majoring in Middle-Grade Education with a concentration in math and science. Elizabeth is motivated by her family that has helped her through her college career, especially her father, Jay Yearwood, and brother Jonathan Yearwood. They have led her to be the person she is today who hopes to work with middle school students and help them create a foundation for high school. In her future, she would like to teach high school and eventually college to help students build a foundation for their next step in life. Her passion is assisting students to become the best versions of themselves to succeed in life. Elizabeth likes working with the youth at FBC because it allows her to teach youth how to be the best versions of themselves and create a strong foundation with God to lead them to their next step in their lives and motivate them to help others.