Adair First Baptist Church

SAM WILSON - SENIOR PASTOR

I grew up in a Godly home where Jesus was taught to be the first priority in my life. I praise the Lord every day that He chose to put me in a home where I was taught that the death, burial, and resurrection is the most important piece of life. I walked the aisle on a Sunday night service at FBC Jay, Oklahoma where my father was the pastor. I recall falling asleep during my father’s sermon. My brother woke me up during the invitation time and said, “I bet if you go forward tonight and get saved that dad will buy us pizza!” I thought to myself, “I love pizza!” So, without any reservations or hesitations, I went to the front.

I remember my dad taking me by the hand and asking, “Sam, why did you come forward tonight?’ In that moment I felt like Ralphie from “A Christmas Story”, so I whipped up some tears and said to him, “I need to ask Jesus into my heart.” That night my father questioned me about my sins and why I am in need of a Savior. I nailed it! I had passed the Baptist Faith and Message test! So I chanted the sinner’s prayer not knowing what I had truly done. Yes, that night I got my deep dish pepperoni pizza but not a relationship with the Father. But this is why God is so great. He never stopped pursuing me.

God finally cornered me during the devotional time our first night at Falls Creek in the summer of 1997. For the first time in my life, I felt the weight of sin and shame. I began to question my relationship with Jesus. I said to myself, “What is my purpose?” “Why does God seem so distant?” Following the evening devotions, I went straight to my bunk confused and desperate for answers to questions that were too hard for me to answer. After everyone quieted down, I went to a friend’s bunk and began confessing my frustrations. He tried his best to relieve my fears and doubts but they only grew stronger. My friend suggested that I ask God for answers, so that night I prayed, “God please help me understand who You are and if You saved me, please reveal Your truth!” The next evening was part of God’s divine plan to reveal my true spiritual identity. The camp pastor, Rodney Gage, began to preach about a PK (preacher’s kid) and how hard it was to live life in a GLASS HOUSE. Every word that proceeded out of his mouth was like taking a very long look in the mirror. Every fear that I faced the night before was answered. Following the evening service, I truly asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior! I was saved on July 9th, 1997.

I was called to the ministry during my freshman year of college, 1999, at FBC Miami, OK. Since that day I have made a commitment unto the Lord that I will do my best to win the lost and disciple the saved. My heart burns for discipleship, my life’s desire is to teach people to be disciples who make disciples.

I was married on June 30th, 2001, to my beautiful wife, LeeAnn. We have 5, that’s right 5, kiddos that we love with all our heart. Hallee (the only girl) and Luke were born in 2006. Then came Ryan two years later in 2008. Zack was born in 2010. Joey was born in 2012. It may be a crazy life but I wouldn’t change it for anything.

BENJAMIN QUICK - WORSHIP LEADER

Benjamin has been around ministry since he was born. From age 4, he began singing on stage in churches, and at age 8, he discovered he could sing harmony! After graduating from Ketchum High School in ‘99, Benjamin enlisted in the United States Air Force. After 4 years in service to his country, Benjamin was medically discharged. He decided to move back home and get back into ministry. He spent many years traveling all over the country in a Country Gospel Group, and was blessed to sing with well-known groups like The Isaacs, Jeff and Sheri Easter, and Michael English. Benjamin, his lovely wife, Crystal, as well as his three children, Aiden, Hailey, and Silas, have been members of AFBC since 2020. Benjamin’s main purpose and goal in life is to serve God however He wills, and to use his God-given gift to bring glory and honor to the King of Kings and Lord of Lord, Jesus Christ!!!

JUSTIN HEATON - YOUTH PASTOR

I have been married to my beautiful wife Michelle since 2003. We have two children, Zeb and Paisley. Together, Michelle and I have served in children's and youth ministries in some fashion for the majority of our marriage. At the age of 18, I surrendered to the call of ministry and began serving as a bi-vocational Children’s Pastor for nearly three years. After relocating our family to Adair in 2010 we continued serving in the children’s ministry at various local churches. in 2017 God led us to Adair First Baptist Church where we instantly felt at home became members. In 2020 I became the full time Youth Pastor here at Adair FBC. Gods grace, mercy, and forgiveness displayed through his son Jesus on the cross, fuels a desire inside of me to help lead other families, and students to the same savior that forgave and restored a wretch such as myself.

MATT BRANUM - YOUNG STUDENT PASTOR

Matt and Katie have been serving together since 2021 in worship and youth ministry, and got married in June of 2023. Matt surrendered to the ministry his junior year of high school. He served as an Interim Youth Minister during his senior year. He attended Oklahoma Baptist University where he obtained a degree in Christian Ministry. During his college career, he served at several churches as the Interim Youth Minister and a Student Associate. He began serving at Adair First Baptist Church in 2022 as the Pre-Teen Youth Pastor.

LIZ FARRAR - CHILDREN'S DIRECTOR

Liz Farrar was born and raised in Adair, Oklahoma. In August of 1997, Liz started her relationship with Jesus Christ at Adair First Baptist Church. She graduated from Adair High School in 1998 and continued her education at Northeastern State University to study special education. She married Brad Farrar in July of 2000 and started a family. She has been blessed with three kids, first a girl Apriella (AJ) followed by two boys Colby and Kelby. After three kids they decided to open their house to be a home daycare. She was able to run the daycare until all three kids were in school. All three kids attended school in Adair. Brad and Liz decided that Adair First Baptist was the place for their family in January 2019. She is excited to see the things He is doing and going to do with my family as well as my church family.