Meet our Staff

We are happy to introduce our staff to you!  If you need to email any of these fine folks, simply click on their picture,

and they will be happy to respond and interact.  [Professional photographs courtesy of Dayspring Photography.]

  • Heath Kirkwood

    Lead Pastor

    Heath joined our staff in 2016 as Lead Pastor after serving for nearly a decade in worship and student ministry in local churches.  He earned a BME and an MM from the Moores School of Music as well as a Master of Divinity from the George W. Truett Theological Seminary.  Gospel music has always been a significant part of his family and church life, leading him to being involved in summer singing schools since childhood.  Heath is the baritone vocalist for the Texas-based quartet, Gospel Express, and is an avid baseball fan and KC Royals enthusiast.  One of his desires for Lorena is to see the community and churches drawn together by sowing seeds of love in Jesus's name.  Heath and his wife Amanda are the proud parents of Norah and Riley.

  • Derrick Arellano

    Minister of Music

    Derrick has served as the Minister of Music at FBC Lorena since 2013 after serving in various music ministry roles in north Texas.  He began his collegiate training at Texas A&M University studying engineering but transferred to Baylor University to study music as a voice major.  He loves playing sports (especially volleyball and basketball) and rooting for his San Antonio Spurs, as well as spending time and making music with family and friends.  Derrick's big desire is for our church to be known for meeting the needs of those around us and that those who are seeking will find FBC Lorena as a place to belong and connect.  Derrick and his wife Brooke are parents to their growing kids, Anson and Alayna.

  • Dan Stewart

    Student & Discipleship pastor

    Dan came to FBC Lorena in 2015 to serve as the Minister to Students after previously leading in student ministry roles in Louisiana and Texas.  He is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University where he earned a BA in Speech Communications and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity from the George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University.  Dan is a big sports fan, cheering on Louisiana Tech and Dallas area sports teams, and he enjoys playing rounds of ping-pong and disc golf. His biggest desire for our church and community is to create a culture where students can have as much fun as possible and also dive deeply into God's Word. Dan resides happily in Waco.

  • Joe Thomas

    Minister to Children

    Joe has been a member here for 25+ years and began serving our children's ministry in 2001 after previously serving in Sunday School ministries at previous churches. He presently works full time as a draftsman in addition to serving as our Minister to Children.  Joe is an enthusiastic outdoorsman and enjoys doing anything that involves being outdoors and in nature.  His desire for our church and community is to see local churches working together and joining together in fellowship and service. Joe is the proud father of two grown daughters.

  • Joy Duke

    Administrative Assistant

    Joy has been involved as a member of FBC Lorena for several years and joined the church staff in 2014.  She holds a BS in Secondary Education from Texas Christian University and an MS in Education, Curriculum & Instruction, from Baylor University. She enjoys teaching (she is an adjunct instructor at area schools including Central Texas College, McLennan Community College, and UMHB, and also teaches a Sunday School class), singing with our choir, and reading when she has the time.  Her greatest desire for Lorena is that our church and community would love the Lord and love one another.  Joy is married to Eddie, and they have three grown children and seven grandchildren.

  • Tricia Byrd

    Financial Assistant

    Tricia joined our church staff in 2007 after serving for several years as a bookkeeper and in human resources in the Waco area.  She enjoys gardening and is an active member of the Steel Magnolia Garden Club, and she also enjoys getting to read.  Her biggest desire for FBC Lorena is that we would become a beacon that leads the lost to Christ and helps the suffering to find comfort in Jesus Christ. Tricia is married to her sweetheart, Stanley, and they are the parents of two grown daughters and two grandchildren.

Meet Our Deacons

Our deacons are the epitome of service.  Each of them is glad to serve YOU!

[Professional photographs courtesy of Dayspring Photography.]

  • Kevin Austin


  • James Bryan

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  • Stan Byrd

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  • Jason Caldwell

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  • Craig Carpenter

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  • Ricky Dorris

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  • Randy Hickerson

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  • John Kuehn

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  • Jimmy Maughan

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  • Steve Voiles

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  • Ed Young

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  • Bert Yow

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