Our Ministry Leaders

David Blakely, Senior Pastor

David has long believed that if Jesus were walking the earth today, he would be found among those who are hurting and broken. As a result of this belief, before he became a pastor, David worked for many years in the fields of social work and education. Through the events of life God has given him empathy as well as a burden for people as they struggle with the day to day challenges of life. He sees the goal of his ministry is to encourage people to an ever deepening relationship with Jesus. If God can use David to draw people to Jesus then he will consider himself a success.

David and his wife Cindy have four children, Caleb, Karis, Micah, and Miriam. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University (Go Red Raiders!), and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He loves good books, good coffee, and Mexican food.

Joe Smith, Care Pastor

Joe Smith is the Care Pastor at Park Baptist Church. He ministers to our local community including serving as Hospital Chaplain at Pershing Memorial Hospital where he prays and offers communion and ministers to those in need. His chief desire is to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Joe came to Park Baptist Church after retiring as Pastor of two rural churches and is deeply gratified of being able to serve God in this current capacity.

Avery Bailey, Student Ministries Director

Avery Bailey is the Student Ministries Director at Park Baptist Church. With a background in education, curriculum and instruction, and several years of teaching experience, Avery is passionate about working with students. Through mentoring and leading youth in weekly bible study and small group time, Avery’s goal is to point students within the community to Jesus. Her favorite thing about student ministry is getting to know students at a personal level, and seeing them return each week to learn more about Christ and walk in faith with their peers and mentors. It is her goal to show each and every student that their identity is in Christ, and that his love is eternal, no matter what.

Avery holds a BS degree in Middle School Education, and a MS degree in Educational Curriculum and Instruction from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville. She and her husband Jason have one son, Kyler, and a Mini-Schnauzer named Sophie. When Avery isn’t working with students, she enjoys spending time outside on the farm, feeling the warmth of the sunshine, reading, coffee, family game nights, and visiting family back home in Trenton.

Ryan Palmer, Worship and Technology Director

Ryan currently serves as the worship and technology director for the church.  He has been called “the busiest man in the church on a given Sunday!”  Ryan is passionate about leading the congregation and his worship team, working to bring them closer to God through not only through song, but through scripture in every day life.

Ryan and his bride Ceaira have one son, Maverick, who, though disabled, shows the church and the community around him that God can still work miracles, even in today’s world.  Ryan loves Star Wars, Doctor Who, and just about anything nerdy, so if you find him off the platform and not busy elsewhere on a Sunday morning, stop and ask him about it!

Ceaira Palmer, Director of Nursery Ministry
Dustin Webb, Director of Children's Ministry