leadership

Pastor & Staff

We're here to serve YOU!

Dr. Terry Kirby

Lead Pastor

Terry L. Kirby began his ministry as lead pastor at First Baptist Pigeon Forge on January 1st, 2022. Pastor Terry has served for over twenty-five years as senior pastor and holds a doctorate in Expository Preaching from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the creator and Editor of the I AM Bible and the author of The Liberty Keys: God's Instructions for Keeping America Free. His passion is to boldly communicate the Word of God for the transformation of lives that leads God's disciples to obedience and abundant life and to encourage each Christ follower to spend time in daily Bible reading and prayer.

Pastor Terry is married to Jeana, a Registered Nurse turned Knox Country School supervisor. They have two grown daughters and one grandson. Pastor Terry's hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and working on a writing project.

Linda Woodward

Celebration Choir Director

Shannon Whaley

Worship Leader

Brian & Shannon Whaley

Student Directors

Brian and Shannon have been members of FBCPF since 2012. Together they serve as FBCPF's youth leaders. Additionally, Shannon leads the worship team and Brian is a trustee of the church. 

Wendy Freels

Financial Administrator

Wendy Freels is a Sevier County native who attended Carson-Newman College (now University) in Jefferson City, TN, before moving throughout the US and overseas with her active-duty husband. She began her administrative church work as a part-time church secretary in a rural United Methodist Church in North Carolina. She's since worked for over 20 years in North Carolina and Massachusetts churches.  She's used her own military training to assist churches in developing administrative procedures and protocols to help make their ministry more effective and efficient.

Wendy is married to Ed, a senior systems engineer specializing in internet security. They have two grown sons, one daughter-in-law, two granddogs, and a cat.  Wendy enjoys quilting, gardening, and hiking in the Smokies.  

Wendy Nichols

Nursery Coordinator

Doug Sawyer

Media & Sound Technician

Doug is a long-time member of FBCPF. He is responsible for filming and uploading our services and events. 

Stephanie Miller

Ministry Assistant & Receptionist

Stephanie Miller is a native of North Carolina and moved to Tennessee four years ago. She has a background in social services.

Stephanie is married to Brian, an installer with KTom Restaurant Supply. They enjoy spending time outdoors with their son, Colton.

John F.

Security Lead & Part-time Maintenance

John has been an active member of FBCPF since 2015. He developed and currently heads the security team, as well as handles church maintenance.

John grew up mostly in the suburbs of Detroit, MI, where he also served as a police officer for the majority of his over 31 years in law enforcement. During his law enforcement career, John specialized in crime scene investigation and reconstruction, assisting local, state, and federal agencies. After becoming born again, he also helped transport prisoners where he was able to offer prisoners the opportunity to learn about Jesus

John has also served on large-sale security details for Christian events such as Promise Keepers and Hearts on Fire.

After retirement, John moved to Sevier County, TN, where he has authored a book "There Can Only Be One Truth -- Is God Real or Not?" (Xulon Press) which uses a reconstructionist view of the "evolution verses creation" debate.

John enjoys serving God, being with his family, hunting fishing, and doing lapidary work.