Dr. Jim Cobban, Pastor

Jim has been the pastor of the First Baptist Church since November, 1999. He is married to Cristi and their household includes three sons, Bryan, Bennett, and Baylor; a hamster; a gerbil; and several fish.

Jim holds the Bachelor of Arts in Religion (1981) from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and the Master of Divinity (1984), Master of Theology (1988), and Doctor of Philosophy (1993) degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. He is a native of Springfield, Missouri, and was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by the National Heights Baptist Church in Springfield in 1984.

Since coming to First Baptist, Jim has served twice on the Kentucky Baptist Convention's state VBS training team, a three year term on the Kentucky Baptist Convention's Mission Board, and on the board of the Middletown Chamber of Commerce since 2000, serving as Chairman in 2004 and 2005.

He writes, "My favorite scripture is Psalm 139. His promise to be with us wherever we are brings strength and hope everyday."

He can be contacted at jcobban@fbcmtown.org.

Rev. Leslie Halfacre, Minister of Music and Sr. Adults

Leslie came to First Baptist Church as Minister of Music in January, 1996. She is also responsible for the Sr. Adult Ministry of the church. Leslie married Gary in 2009 and they reside in Middletown.

Leslie holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree (1983) from Samford University in Birmingham, AL, and the Master of Church Music degree (1996) from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. She is a native of Louisville and was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by the First Baptist Church of Middletown in 2002.

As a soprano soloist, Leslie has performed in sacred concerts and with a variety of choral groups. She has sung for a number of events sponsored by the City of Middletown and also sings for local church, associational, and civic meetings.

Her interests include both watching and riding hot air balloons and visiting her niece and nephew in Seattle whenever she gets a chance.

Her favorite scripture passage is Philippians 2:6-11. She writes, “Considered to be an early Christian hymn, this passage beautifully describes what God did for us through Christ Jesus.”

She can be contacted at lhalfacre@fbcmtown.org.

Rev. David Lyninger, Minister of Families

David has been the Minister of Families at First Baptist Church since April 2002. He is responsible for the church's ministry to youth, children, and preschoolers and their families. David married DeAnna Banister in 1991. They have rescued and adopted four cats . . . and counting.

David earned the Bachelor of Arts in Humanities (1985) from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green where he minored in Theater. That background has helped him in his many roles in the church's annual production of "Broadway On Main." He was awarded the Master of Divinity in Christian Education from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1990. He was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by the First Baptist Church of Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Since coming to First Baptist, David has been the lead organizer of our Parent's Day Out program, one of the newest ministries of the church. He has also been active in the Kentucky Baptist Convention's childhood ministries program.

David's interests are diverse, from movies and reading to softball, bowling, and ping-pong.

David's favorite scripture verse is Romans 12:12. He says, "I have found this scripture to be hopeful and one I could turn to in every situation."

He can be contacted at dlyninger@fbcmtown.org.