Dr. Mark L. Richardson

Pastor for Preaching and Vision

I was born and raised in St. Petersburg, FL, saved by God's grace at seven years of age, and surrendered to God's call into the gospel ministry at age seventeen. I earned an undergraduate degree in religion from Oklahoma Baptist University (Shawnee, OK), a Masters of Divinity degree with honors, and a Doctor of Ministry specializing in expository preaching from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Kansas City, Missouri). God has allowed me to serve Him in various positions of leadership for twenty years through the local church. I have a burden for the Church to see how the crucifixion of Jesus transforms the individual and corporate life of the church such as in discipleship, leadership, decision making, unity, evangelism, ministry, counseling, teaching, and worship. So in addition to local church ministry, God led me to co-found a 501(c)(3) organization called CrossReach Ministries International with my godly and gorgeous wife Monica in 2000. It's a Great Commission, renewal ministry dedicated to increasing the local church's awareness, understanding, and relevant application of the message of "Christ crucified." I have also authored two books on the crucifixion of Jesus, three seminars which equip people in the study and effective communication of God's Word, and wrote an article for Testamentum Imperium, an online theological journal. I am also a member of the Evangelical Theological Society.

I also like golf, weight lifting, pool, and playing drums and percussion in praise and worship bands.

God called me to this great church from Oklahoma where I served as a senior pastor. Monica and I have four boys.

I invite you to surrender to God, receive His forgiveness of sin by turning to Him in faith, and lose your life in the service of others, both locally and globally. There is no greater risk and satisfaction. And there is no greater reward! Join us in the journey!

John Pecoraro

Pastor for Evangelism and Students

As a graduate from Louisiana Tech University in May of 1982 with a Bachelor of Science Education degree, I began teaching at an area high school until January 1994. During those years I married my beautiful wife, Pam, and we began serving in the Youth Ministry at Spring Baptist Church. We also served the Lord on various summer long mission trips with Continental Singers. While on these trips God began to work in my life to lead me into full time ministry. After three summer trips we began having children, but we continued to serve with the youth at Spring Baptist. It was in June 1989 that I became part of the staff at Spring Baptist as the Interim Youth Minister while still teaching. In August 1989, I surrendered to God's call into full time ministry. Other various part time positions at Spring Baptist from 1990 to 1993 were the Middle School Minister and Single Adult Minister. God allowed me to become the full time Youth and Education Minister in January 1994 at First Baptist Old Ocean. During this time, my family grew from four to seven wonderful children, five girls and two boys.

Through God working in various peoples lives I began ministering at First Baptist The Colony as the Pastor of Youth in August 2001. God brought us here from Sweeny, Texas to serve mainly with the youth of the church. During this time God has blessed our entire family with the love, friendship, and encouragement of the people of First Baptist.

My desire for the youth at First Baptist is for them to want to invite their friends here to worship and to be ministered to. I also desire that First Baptist will be a place to help them grow spiritually. So I invite you to look further at this web site and the areas of ministry to see how we can better serve you and how you can serve the Lord. Feel free to contact me personally by phone, email, or just come by my office as the door is always open.