Ames, Iowa

Our Staff

Pastor: Dr. David Russell began his ministry with us in September 1999 after previous ministries as a pastor in Arthur, Illinois and as a campus minister at Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan Universities. An Indiana native, Dave is a graduate of the University of Evansville and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He received the Doctor of Ministry degree in 2007 from the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.  Dave serves on the board of the Center for Creative Justice and Iowa Religious Media Services and is past president of the Iowa-Minnesota Ministers Council (the professional organization for American Baptist clergy).  He enjoys gardening, computers, church history, home repair/remodeling projects (well, until things go awry) and sports, especially basketball. Dave's sermons can be accessed here.





Associate Pastor: Rev. Susan Russell has served since January 2002 with responsibilities in outreach, pastoral care, worship, and other areas. She has also served locally as a Parent Educator at People Place, a prevention arm of Lutheran Social Services. Susan has degrees from the University of Arkansas and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has previously worked on church staff and as a hospital chaplain. In the denomination, she has been a regional Ministers Council president and chaired an Ordination Commission.  Susan is an avid reader and likes to travel, cook, and spend time with her friends and family.

Dave and Susan have one daughter, Zoe, a student at the University of Northern Iowa.  The Russells have a tabby cat, Jambo, and a rambunctious poodle mix, Rudy.



Director of Music Ministries: Mindy Phomvisay has served since 1998 as our Music Director. A native of Alta, Iowa, Mindy is a graduate of Iowa State.  She is an elementary music teacher at Green Mountain-Garwin Elementary School.  She has also served as a private flute instructor, a director with the Ames Children’s Choirs, and has been a featured soloist at the Bandshell Park summer concerts. Mindy brings skill, enthusiasm, and a warm spirit to our music program, accompanying congregational singing in worship as well as directing our adult choir, youth choir, and our children’s Music Camp. She and her husband Aiddy are parents of two children, Elijah and Emma.






Music Associate: Cindy Lin joined our staff in the fall of 2011 after she and her husband Wei moved here from New Jersey.  She accompanies our choir and has other responsibilities in worship.  Cindy has piano performance degrees from Cal-Irvine and the Boston Conservatory and is working on her dissertation for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Maryland.  Cindy accompanies various soloists, ensembles, and choirs at Iowa State and has served other congregation as an accompanist.
Rosemarie



Office Manager: Rosemarie Starrett joined our staff in June 2012.  She is a lifelong member of First Baptist; her mother and grandparents were members of our church.  Rosemarie is a graduate of DMACC and previously worked for the Boys and Girls Home of Ames.  She has also been a volunteer at the Story County  Free Dental Clinic.  Rosemarie and her husband David are parents of two grown children.







Custodian: Terri Miller joined our staff in October 2009 and does a wonderful job of  keeping our facilities neat and clean.  We also appreciate her good humor and caring, helpful attitude.  Terri is also employed by Iowa State University.