Faithful Service
Dedicated to Serving Our Church Family
Meet Our Staff
Our staff is committed to leading with faith, wisdom, and a heart for service. Get to know the people who guide and support our church’s mission.
Chris Allen
Pastor
Chris Allen has served as the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church since 2016. He previously served the church as Youth Minister beginning in 2008. Chris holds a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree. He is passionate about preaching God’s Word and shepherding God’s people. Chris is married to Sandy, and they have two daughters, Chloe and Cate.
Dan Riordan
Worship Leader
Dan Riordan is married to Laurie Riordan (1981), and they have five grown children. He has been serving at First Baptist Church Cairo from 2007 to 2012 and then returned in 2022. Dan completed his undergraduate work at Mercer University, received an M.M. from Southwestern Seminary, an Ed.S. from Nova Southeastern University, and is a Certified Biblical Counselor. He has a heart for missions and has served in various locations around the world. He is a published composer and writer.
Jennifer Woodward
Children’s Director
Jennifer Woodward serves as the Children’s Director at FBC Cairo, where she brings a lifelong passion for working with kids and helping them grow in their faith. She has been married to her husband, Shawn, since 2009, and they are proud parents of two boys, Cooper and Palmer, who are now active in the youth ministry.
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Dylan Baker
Youth Pastor
Dylan Baker serves as the Youth Pastor at First Baptist Church of Cairo, where he has been ministering since 2022. A graduate of Truett McConnell University with a degree in Christian Studies, Dylan is passionate about guiding the next generation in their walk with Christ.
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Whitney Phelps
Preschool Ministry Director
Whitney joined Cairo FBC shortly after moving from Missouri with her husband, Robert, and their children. She loves camping, playing games, and spending time with her family. Teaching children has been her passion for many years. She has worked with children in various settings, such as daycares, as a nanny, running an in-home daycare, and she currently tutors for our homeschool community. Since becoming a teenager, she has served in various church roles, including teaching VBS, church daycare classes, Sunday School, and serving as an AWANA director. Whitney truly enjoys teaching children of all ages about our Lord and Savior!
Marilyn Scarbrough
Administrative Assistant
Marilyn Scarbrough has served at First Baptist Church since February 2001 as the Administrative Assistant. Marilyn says, “I don’t consider it a ‘job’ because I love what I do, and if you look forward to going to work every day, it’s not considered a ‘job’”! She spends her free time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as working in her yard.
Christy Bentley
Financial Secretary
Christy Bentley has served as the Financial Secretary at First Baptist Church of Cairo since 2020. She has over 30 years of experience and oversees all aspects of the church’s finances, including accounting, payroll, accounts receivable and payable, and maintaining financial records. She also manages other secretarial duties to support our staff and ensure smooth daily operations. She works closely with the finance committee to maintain transparent financial procedures that align with our congregation’s mission. When she’s not working, you will find her scrapbooking and preserving precious family memories.
Sheila Jones
Custodian
Since 2019, Sheila Jones has been serving as the custodian at First Baptist Church, where she is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of all campus buildings. She loves her job and appreciates the friendly work environment, which makes her work more rewarding. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, as well as working in her yard.