Leadership Team:
Steve Thurman, Interim Pastor
Steve Thurman recently retired from 35 years of teaching math in the Fresno Unified School District. During that time, Steve received a Masters in Theology from Fresno Pacific University and worked as a preacher and pastor in several churches in Fresno and the surrounding area, including Fresno First Baptist Church and Fowler First Presbyterian Church. Steve has a passion for teaching the Bible and discipling followers of Jesus to live out their faith.
Steve loves to read and work crosswords, and would like to formally thank his family for allowing him to take over one of the bedrooms for his comic collection. He also loves baseball, and apologizes to anyone he has caused to become an Angels fan over the years.
Steve has been married to Lisa Thurman, owner and operator of a local Scrapbook Studio, for 25 years. They have one son, James, who is 22 years old, and two cats, Mace and Hera, who are both 3.
Rev. Jeannie Gong, Agape Minister
Jeannie was born and grew up in southern China. She came to US for graduate study and received a master’s degree in chemistry from CSU of Fresno. She and her husband James and their three daughters joined FCBC in 2006. With the passion for evangelism and discipleship in the Chinese community, Jeannie started the Agape ministry in 2010. After receiving the MACS from Dallas Theological Seminary, she continues the doctoral program of Educational Ministry. Jeannie was ordained here at FCBC in 2022. Currently her ministerial focus is to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ across cultural and generational barriers.
Jeannie在中國南方出生和長大。她來美攻讀研究生,在弗雷斯諾州立大學獲得化學碩士學位。她和丈夫詹姆斯以及他們的三個女兒於2006年加入第一華人浸信會。本著對華人社區傳福音和門徒訓練的熱情,Jeannie於2010年開始了Agape事工。在獲得達拉斯神學院的MACS之后,她繼續攻讀教育事工博士學位。Jeannie於2022年在第一華人浸信會被按立為牧師。目前,她的事工重點是跨越文化與代際的障礙而宣揚耶穌基督的好消息。
Jeff Burkett, Music Director
Jeff has been active in church music ministry for over 35 years directing, writing music, and leading various musical groups such as, handbell ensembles, vocal groups and choirs, instrumental ensembles, and drama since 1988. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fresno Pacific University, with an emphasis in Church Music, Vocal, and Music Composition. Since his graduation from Fresno Pacific University Jeff has worked as a church musical director non-stop. Jeff Burkett joined the FCBC staff as Worship Director in 2006 as Director of Worship and Arts.
Some of the highlights of Jeff’s musical career have been as guest conductor for the Caminul Felix Children’s Choir of Romania, directing and producing many church drama and musical presentations, and also composing and arranging for several church choirs and special events over the years.