Our Leadership

Worship Gatherings

Sunday Gatherings 8:45am & 11:15am • Sunday Grow Groups 10am • Wednesday Gatherings 6pm

First Baptist Church of Lorena Leadership

We’re glad to introduce you to the FBC Lorena staff. If you have a question or would like to get in touch with a member of our team, click their e-mail link. We’d be glad to hear from you!

Heath Kirkwood

Lead Pastor

Heath joined FBC Lorena as Lead Pastor in August 2016, after serving in worship and student ministry. He holds degrees in Music from the Morores School of Music, a Master of Divinity, and a Doctor of Ministry from George W. Truett Theological Seminary.


A lifelong lover of gospel music, Heath spent many years singing baritone with the Texas-based quartet, Gospel Express. He is also an avid baseball fan and Kansas City Royals enthusiast.


Heath's desire for Lorena is to see churches and the community come together by 'sowing seeds of love in Jesus' name.' He and his wife, Amanda, are the proud parents of Norah and Riley and are grateful to call Lorena home.

E-mail Heath

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Heath joined FBC Lorena as Lead Pastor in August 2016, after serving in worship and student ministry. He holds degrees in Music from the Morores School of Music, a Master of Divinity, and a Doctor of Ministry from George W. Truett Theological Seminary.


A lifelong lover of gospel music, Heath spent many years singing baritone with the Texas-based quartet, Gospel Express. He is also an avid baseball fan and Kansas City Royals enthusiast.


Heath's desire for Lorena is to see churches and the community come together by 'sowing seeds of love in Jesus' name.' He and his wife, Amanda, are the proud parents of Norah and Riley and are grateful to call Lorena home.

E-mail Heath

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Donnie Page

Associate Pastor

Donnie began serving as Associate Pastor in November 2021, and his primary responsibilities are overseeing administration and discipleship. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1979 and has completed degrees at Jacksonville College, Lamar University, and the  University of Texas at Tyler; he is also pursuing his Doctor of Pastoral  Leadership at Andersonville Seminary. Over the years in ministry, he has served children, students, worship, pastoral, and administrative ministries in several churches in Texas. He and his wife, Sheryl, love to spread joy, develop friendships, and walk through life while encouraging others to live for Christ. The Pages have two grown sons and seven grandchildren, whom they spoil very well. They live in nearby Woodway.

E-mail Donnie

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Donnie began serving as Associate Pastor in November 2021, and his primary responsibilities are overseeing administration and discipleship. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1979 and has completed degrees at Jacksonville College, Lamar University, and the  University of Texas at Tyler; he is also pursuing his Doctor of Pastoral  Leadership at Andersonville Seminary. Over the years in ministry, he has served children, students, worship, pastoral, and administrative ministries in several churches in Texas. He and his wife, Sheryl, love to spread joy, develop friendships, and walk through life while encouraging others to live for Christ. The Pages have two grown sons and seven grandchildren, whom they spoil very well. They live in nearby Woodway.

E-mail Donnie

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Rachel Tate Yattor

Kids Minister

Rachel joined our staff as Kids Minister in June 2022. She trusted Jesus as her Savior as a young girl and is passionate about helping children grow in their faith. She holds a B.A. in Religion and a Master of Divinity from Baylor University. Rachel and her husband Hezi spent several years in Kenya, where she served in children’s ministry, spiritual formation, and prison discipleship. Since returning to Texas, she has continued to serve in youth and church ministry. Rachel and Hezi now have a baby boy. She loves cheering for the Baylor Bears, making Spotify playlists, hugging dogs, and walking trails with friends.

E-mail Rachel

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Rachel joined our staff as Kids Minister in June 2022. She trusted Jesus as her Savior as a young girl and is passionate about helping children grow in their faith. She holds a B.A. in Religion and a Master of Divinity from Baylor University. Rachel and her husband Hezi spent several years in Kenya, where she served in children’s ministry, spiritual formation, and prison discipleship. Since returning to Texas, she has continued to serve in youth and church ministry. Rachel and Hezi now have a baby boy. She loves cheering for the Baylor Bears, making Spotify playlists, hugging dogs, and walking trails with friends.

E-mail Rachel

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Logan Hansen

Student Minister

Logan joined FBC Lorena as the Student Minister in September 2021. He is a native of  South Dakota and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theology & Youth  Ministry and Psychology from the University of Sioux Falls. Logan also served as a small group leader, camp counselor, and youth ministry intern while pursuing his undergraduate degree. He is currently pursuing a  Master of Divinity degree at the George W. Truett Theological  Seminary.  Logan's story, one of grief and deliverance, has formed within him a desire to walk alongside others in both joy and suffering to see God's redemptive hand at work. He is an avid hobbyist and enjoys many sports and outdoor activities. Logan and his wife, Kirsten, live in the heart of Waco.

E-mail Logan

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Logan joined FBC Lorena as the Student Minister in September 2021. He is a native of  South Dakota and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theology & Youth  Ministry and Psychology from the University of Sioux Falls. Logan also served as a small group leader, camp counselor, and youth ministry intern while pursuing his undergraduate degree. He is currently pursuing a  Master of Divinity degree at the George W. Truett Theological  Seminary.  Logan's story, one of grief and deliverance, has formed within him a desire to walk alongside others in both joy and suffering to see God's redemptive hand at work. He is an avid hobbyist and enjoys many sports and outdoor activities. Logan and his wife, Kirsten, live in the heart of Waco.

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Sheril George Shaji

Music Minister

Sheril George Shaji joined our staff as Music Minister in October 2025. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Church Music Leadership from The Bangalore Conservatory in India and a Master of Arts in Worship Studies from Dallas Baptist University. With over 15 years of experience in worship leadership, choir direction, and music instruction, she is also a skilled musician on piano, guitar, and ukulele. Sheril enjoys sports - especially American football - as well as baking, cooking, gardening, and the arts. She is passionate about leading worship that unites the church, builds up believers, and points all glory to God.

E-mail Sheril

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Sheril George Shaji joined our staff as Music Minister in October 2025. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Church Music Leadership from The Bangalore Conservatory in India and a Master of Arts in Worship Studies from Dallas Baptist University. With over 15 years of experience in worship leadership, choir direction, and music instruction, she is also a skilled musician on piano, guitar, and ukulele. Sheril enjoys sports - especially American football - as well as baking, cooking, gardening, and the arts. She is passionate about leading worship that unites the church, builds up believers, and points all glory to God.

E-mail Sheril

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Grace Swartley

Ministry Resident

Grace joined our team as a Ministry Resident for the 26-27 school year. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Theology & Youth Ministry from the University of Sioux Falls. She has experience serving as a ministry intern, small group leader, and camp counselor. She is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree from the George W. Truett Theological Seminary as well as a certificate of Spiritual Direction. Grace is passionate about caring for people with gentleness and love that display the love of God. Her hobbies include baking and all things creative.

E-mail Grace

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Grace joined our team as a Ministry Resident for the 26-27 school year. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Theology & Youth Ministry from the University of Sioux Falls. She has experience serving as a ministry intern, small group leader, and camp counselor. She is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree from the George W. Truett Theological Seminary as well as a certificate of Spiritual Direction. Grace is passionate about caring for people with gentleness and love that display the love of God. Her hobbies include baking and all things creative.

E-mail Grace

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Beth Austin

ministerial & Financial Assistant

Beth has been a member of FBC Lorena for more than 30 years and joined our staff in January 2021 as Ministerial & Financial Assistant.  She brings over 40 years of administrative and financial experience in the Waco area and enjoys serving in various church ministries and visiting with members of the church and community. She and her husband, Kevin, have lived in Lorena since 1980 and have two sons and four grandchildren, who are her greatest joy.

E-mail Beth

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Beth has been a member of FBC Lorena for more than 30 years and joined our staff in January 2021 as Ministerial & Financial Assistant.  She brings over 40 years of administrative and financial experience in the Waco area and enjoys serving in various church ministries and visiting with members of the church and community. She and her husband, Kevin, have lived in Lorena since 1980 and have two sons and four grandchildren, who are her greatest joy.

E-mail Beth

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Meet Our Deacons

Our deacons are our servant leaders, ministering to our church family and community. Each of them is glad to serve you! Contact the church office (office@fbclorena.org or 254.857.4540) if you have a need, and our Deacon on Call will be in touch with you.


Kevin Austin



Bill Broach


Stanley Byrd


Josh Collier


Chris Kinney


Brent Lummus


Doug Baldwin



Josh Browder


Jason Caldwell


Justin Geddie


John Kuehn


Kerry Smith



Greg Blanchard


James Bryan


Craig Carpenter


Randy Hickerson


B T Land


Bert Yow