Seminarian-Pastors
As part of how we look outward to serve others, we are locally committed to our central Texas community. Specifically, we feel uniquely called to equip the next generation of gospel ministers. This church is an encouraging training ground for young ministers who are in seminary or have recently completed seminary.
Since we first began calling seminarian-pastors over a decade ago, we have experienced mutual blessing: The congregation receives informed and grounded ministry from the seminarian-pastor, while the pastor gains experience and support in a warm environment.
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We rejoice that the overwhelming majority of our former pastors are still in ministry today, as many are currently serving vibrant churches. Praise the Lord!
When Spring Creek community established a Baptist church, they took advantage of both the Baptist Association of churches in Bosque county and Baylor University, the Baptist university close to home. Baylor University in particular was often helpful in finding ministers. In the academic year of 1994-1995 Baylor first opened the doors of George W Truett Theological Seminary, one hundred and one years after George Truett, well-known Baptist preacher, began his education there. Beginning in 2004, ten years after the first academic year of Truett Seminary, Spring Creek Baptist Church decided to make use of Truett students as pastors. Since that time, the church has come to see our mission as assisting Truett students in their God-given calling to serve churches. We have been so happy with this mission and the service and leadership of our Truett student pastors that we recently also hired a Truett student to lead our music.
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The following George W Truett Theological Seminary students have served as Spring Creek Baptist Church pastors.
Drew Dabbs served February 8, 2004 to May 6, 2009 - Ordained 2006
Education:
2002 Christian Studies Mississippi College
2007 Theology Master of Divinity Baylor’s Truett Seminary
2007 Theology Doctor of Ministry Baylor’s Truett Seminary
Drew Dabbs is serving as Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church Hamilton, TX
Matthew Richard served September 9, 2009 to June 13, 2010 - Ordained 2010
Education:
2008 Religion East Texas Baptist University
2010 Theology Master of Divinity Baylor’s Truett Seminary
2017 Spiritual Formation Doctor of Ministry Baylor’s Truett Seminary
Matthew Richard is serving as Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church Llano, TX
Koby Strawser served December 5, 2010 to February 5, 2012 - Ordained 2009
Education:
2009 Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies University of Mary Hardin Baylor
2013 Master of Divinity Baylor’s Truett Seminary
2019 Doctor of Ministry Hardin Simmons University
Koby Strawser is serving as Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church Erwin, Tennessee
Aaron Ogburn served April 22, 2012 to September 1. 2016 - Ordained 2012
Education:
2013 Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Baylor University
2016 Master of Divinity in Mission and World Christianity, Baylor’s Truett Seminary
2020 Intercultural Studies Johnson University
Aaron Ogburn is in Milan, Italy working with Pioneer Bible Translators
Rane Carpenter served February 2017 to January 2019 - Ordained 2016
Education:
2016 Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Missions/ Biology, Wayland Baptist University
Rane Carpenter is a member of Highland Park Baptist Church Waco, TX
Coleman Reidling served May 5, 2019 to November 3rd, 2022 - Ordained 2019
Education:
2017 Bachelor of Arts in History, Midwestern State University
2020 Master of Divinity in Ministry Leadership, Baylor’s Truett Seminary
Coleman Reidling is the current pastor of First Baptist Church of Alpine Texas.
Joshua Turpin Minister of Music served September 15, 2019 to March 28th, 2021.
Education:
2016 Bachelor of Music in Church music, Piano emphasis.
Joshua graduated Baylor’s Truett Seminary in August 2021 and is currently serving as pastor of First Baptist Church, Eagle Lake, TX since November of 2021.
Troy McDonald Minister of Music served August 8th, 2021 to August 21st, 2022 and March 19th, 2023 to May 7th,2023.
Education:
2021 Bachelor of Music in Church Music, Voice emphasis.
Currently Troy is pursuing a Masters of Vocal Performance at Baylor University.
Kevin Brown served February 26th, 2023 to present.
Education:
Kevin is currently attending Baylor University pursuing an MBA concurrently attending Truitt University pursuing a Masters of Divinity. Kevin Brown is the current pastor of Spring Creek Baptist Church.
Spring Creek Baptist Church and Cemetery
