WELCOME TO FBCBG
Who we are
At First Baptist Church of Belle Glade, we exist to develop disciples of Jesus who intentionally make more disciples.
Rooted in God's Word, we are committed to loving God, serving others, and sharing the hope of the Gospel—both in our community and around the world.
Meet our Team
Meet our senior Pastor
_edited.png)
James Burnside is a pastor, teacher, leadership coach, and founder of @BibleStudyNow, with over 20 years of ministry experience. He currently serves as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Belle Glade and as a Discipleship Coach at Dallas Theological Seminary, mentoring pastors and ministry leaders.
James has served in Senior, Executive, and Associate Pastor roles, leading church revitalization, health assessments, discipleship systems, and multicultural leadership development. He has also served as Academic Dean at Therapon Bible Institute, developed spiritual formation curriculum for pastors in Nepal, and led alumni outreach at The College of Biblical Studies in Houston.
Commissioned by Christians United for Israel, James traveled to Israel to study and communicate the biblical significance of Israel to churches, Christian schools, and leaders. He is an official Logos Bible Software partner, helping people worldwide engage Scripture through digital Bible study tools.
Through @BibleStudyNow, James reaches more than 244,000 people monthly, with organic reach exceeding 1.3 million in 90 days. He also has helped align Mission Aviation Fellowship’s outreach vision to identify aviation opportunities serving isolated people groups.
James holds multiple degrees, including a master’s from Dallas Theological Seminary, and has completed doctoral work focused on multicultural discipleship and redemptive spiritual formation. His doctoral applied research examined the He Said It discipleship program and its impact on understanding and applying the fundamentals of the Christian faith.
“I am relentless about discipleship because Jesus commanded it. Reaching every nation isn’t optional; it’s the mission. Whether on the ground, online, or through aviation, I’ll use every tool available until every person has a chance to accept Christ.”
James Burnside
James Burnside
Meet our associate Pastor
.jpg)
Orel García Pineda has served in pastoral ministry since the age of 15.
Raised in a Southern Baptist family in Mexico, he studied Philosophy of Religion at Fuller Theological Seminary and earned Associate degrees in Theology and Biblical Counseling.
He is currently pursuing a Master’s at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Since 2001, Orel has led church planting and pastoral work in Missouri, Maryland, and now Florida, focusing on growing vibrant Spanish-speaking congregations and providing biblical counseling.
Orel Garcia
Deacons
Jeff Hawkins
Deacon
I’m blessed with a wonderful wife, Terri, and our three children: Jeffrey, Jeremy, and Jordan Lucarino. For the past 35 years, I have had the privilege of serving as a deacon at First Baptist Church. One of the greatest joys of servant leadership has been witnessing how God works through each of us to minister within our church, throughout our community, and around the world. Through these experiences, we have come to recognize that we live in a lost and hurting world. People need to know that God loves them, cares deeply for them, and desires a personal and intimate relationship with each one of us. May we never lose sight of our calling as followers of Christ—to faithfully share His love, extend His grace, and be a place where those who are lost, hurting, or searching can find hope in Jesus Christ.
Perry Yance
Deacon
Sherry and I have been married 41 years and raised our 2 girls here. We are blessed to lead the Young Adult Life Group together. I also serve with the audio/visual team and have served as a deacon since 1987. It is such a blessing to serve the Lord with this church family!
Hector Rodriguez
Deacon
I began attending church in 1989. Have been married with Lily 40 yrs. Have three daughters. Began serving as deacon about 20 yrs ago.
Deacon
Steve Weeks
Began serving as a deacon in 1986, Mary & I have been married for 59 years this December, and Have been blessed with 9 grandchildren from our 3 children
Deacon
Robbie Carter
Began serving as a deacon in 2025, Krista & I have been married for 37 years. I Love serving our Church and Congregation, that has been so Supportive of our Family.
.jpg)
Tyler Gay
Youth Pastor
Tyler Gay has a heart for helping people grow in their relationship with Jesus in a real and practical way. Born and raised in Belle Glade, Tyler was shaped by a strong foundation of faith that continues to guide his life and ministry. For the past four years, he has served as the Youth Director at First Baptist Church in Belle Glade, investing in the next generation with passion, energy, and authenticity. He is committed to creating an environment where students feel welcomed, challenged, and encouraged to take their next step in their walk with Christ. Through teaching, mentoring, and building relationships, Tyler’s desire is simple: to see lives transformed by the Gospel and rooted deeply in Jesus.
Chaplain
Pat Lucey
Pat serves as our church chaplain, offering compassionate care, spiritual guidance, and prayer to individuals and families during life’s joyful and challenging seasons. With a heart for serving others, Pat seeks to share the hope and comfort of Christ while helping people feel supported, encouraged, and connected to their church family.
FItness center Head Director
J.T. Ocañas
As the Head Director of our church fitness center, J.T. is passionate about creating a space where faith and fitness come together for the glory of Christ. With a heart for serving others, he is committed to helping individuals grow stronger physically, mentally, and spiritually while encouraging each person to walk faithfully as a disciple of Jesus. Guided by the truth of Romans 8:38–39, J.T. is continually reminded that nothing can separate us from the love of God found in Christ Jesus. That assurance shapes the way he serves, leads, and encourages others, striving to build a welcoming and uplifting environment where lives are transformed through discipline, community, and the truth of God’s Word. J.T. leads a Wednesday night Bible study, manages the church website, and serves faithfully in the Youth Ministry, Media Team, and First Impressions Ministry. His desire is to use every opportunity God has given him to help others grow in their relationship with Christ and become disciples who make disciples. J.T. is dedicated to continually equipping himself with the knowledge, skills, and biblical foundation needed to better serve the church and the community God has called him to reach.
Our Team
Gladys Jimenez
Childrens interim Director
"My name is Gladys Jiménez Larumbe. In January 2026, my husband Orel García, our two children, and I settled in Belle Glade, driven by a divine purpose to serve this community. My greatest passion is Children's Ministry; my vision and daily prayer are to firmly support our volunteer team, spiritually guide the children, and reach our community for Christ. As a fun fact about me, I love cats, apples, and the color turquoise."
.jpg)
Alice Gay
Office administrator
Alice Gay has faithfully served as the office administrator at First Baptist Church for the past 14 years, but her connection to the church spans a lifetime. Born and raised in Belle Glade, Alice is a proud third-generation member of the First Baptist Church, where she grew up and developed her deep love for her church family and community. For Alice, serving at First Baptist is more than a job- it's a ministry and joy. Alice considers it a true blessing to come to work each day and serve the staff, church members, and the people of the Belle Glade community.
.jpg)
Kitchen services director
Cheryl Dean
Psalms 34:7-8, Matthew 16:24, John 13:34-35 Come and join our “kitchen teams” we are disciples for Jesus, a place where you can taste and see that the Lord is good. We have an atmosphere of love for one another and a light of hope for everyone. Our goal is to walk in unity with love serving the needs of our church, where God calls us to serve, which could be “The Kitchen”. Let’s cook up some good food have great conversation laughter and love. Let’s be a light for Jesus and feed our church with a hope and love for one another with good food. My name is Cheryl Dean and God has called me to serve in the kitchen. So I’m taking up my cross and following Jesus, come join me and others in serving our church in the “kitchen “. Much love and blessings to my church family!!
Jackie Juarez
Worship Leader
Our Worship Team is a group of passionate believers dedicated to leading others into the presence of God through music and praise. With hearts focused on worship rather than performance, we seek to create an atmosphere where people can be filled by God, grow in faith, and experience His peace. Inspired by the promise in Isaiah 41:10 — “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God…” — our mission is to remind every person that God is near, strengthening, helping, and upholding us through every season of life. Through songs of worship, prayer, and unity, we desire to lift up the name of Jesus and encourage our church family to trust in God’s presence, power, and unfailing love.
.jpg)
Kellie Burnside
First impressions
director
Kellie is a devoted wife, mother, nurse, and pastor’s wife who has been married to her high school sweetheart, Jimmy, for many years. She loves serving others through both ministry and healthcare, caring for people with compassion and a servant’s heart. Her favorite verse is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” When she isn’t serving others, Kellie enjoys fishing, traveling, and making memories with family. She treasures the opportunity to walk alongside her husband in ministry while also living out her calling as a nurse.
Join our team
At First Baptist Church of Belle Glade, we believe ministry is accomplished through people who are willing to serve with their gifts, passion, and dedication.
Whether through a staff position or a volunteer opportunity, every role plays an important part in helping us develop disciples of Jesus who intentionally make more disciples. Explore available opportunities and discover how God can use you to serve His Kingdom.
Childrens Ministry Pastor/Leader
Title: Childrens Ministry Leader
Paid position: yes
The Children’s Ministry Pastor/Leader is responsible for leading and developing a Christ-centered ministry for children from nursery through elementary school. This role exists to create a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment where children can learn about God, grow in their faith, and begin developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Children’s Ministry Pastor/Leader will oversee Sunday children’s services, Bible teaching, children’s events and activities, and the coordination of volunteers. This individual will also build meaningful relationships with parents and families, partnering with them to encourage spiritual growth both within the church and at home. Key Responsibilities Lead and oversee Sunday children’s ministry from nursery through elementary school. Teach and help develop age-appropriate, Bible-centered lessons. Plan and coordinate children’s events, activities, and special programs. Recruit, train, schedule, and encourage children’s ministry volunteers. Maintain a safe, welcoming, and Christ-centered environment for children. Build strong relationships with parents and families. Encourage families to grow together in their faith and knowledge of Scripture. Work alongside church leadership to ensure the Children’s Ministry supports the overall mission of FBC Belle Glade. Pray for the children, families, and volunteers entrusted to the ministry. Help children understand the Gospel and begin developing a lifelong faith in Jesus Christ. Our Heart for This Ministry We believe children are not simply the future of the Church—they are an important part of the Church today. Our desire is to provide a ministry where every child feels loved, known, and encouraged to follow Jesus. The Children’s Ministry Pastor/Leader will help create an environment where children can know God, love His Word, grow in faith, and learn to live as disciples of Jesus.
Media team
Paid position: No
Title: Volunteer
The Media Team Volunteer serves an important role in helping create a smooth and distraction-free worship experience during Sunday services. This position supports the church by assisting with the operation of audio, visual, and technology systems to ensure that the message of the Gospel is clearly communicated and that our congregation can fully engage in worship. This role is perfect for individuals who enjoy technology, serving behind the scenes, and being part of a team that helps ministry happen every week. No matter your level of experience, volunteers will have opportunities to learn, grow, and use their skills to serve Christ and the church. Key Responsibilities Assist with Sunday morning audio, visual, and technology needs. Operate sound, presentation, livestream, and other media equipment as needed. Help prepare and test equipment before services begin. Support the worship team, pastors, and ministry leaders during services. Ensure slides, videos, and other service elements are displayed correctly. Help troubleshoot basic technical issues during services. Arrive prepared and on time for scheduled serving opportunities. Maintain a spirit of teamwork, humility, and service. Our Heart for This Ministry The Media Team plays a vital role in helping people hear the Word of God and experience worship without distractions. While serving behind the scenes, every volunteer contributes to creating an environment where people can encounter Christ, grow in faith, and be encouraged through the message of the Gospel.
First Impressions
Paid position: No
Title: Volunteer
The First Impressions Ministry Volunteer serves as a welcoming presence for everyone who enters First Baptist Church of Belle Glade. This ministry exists to create an environment where guests, members, and families feel valued, cared for, and connected from the moment they arrive. Through hospitality, encouragement, and genuine service, First Impressions volunteers help reflect the love of Christ by making every person feel seen and welcomed. Whether greeting guests, assisting with directions, or helping people connect with the church family, this ministry plays an important role in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for worship. Key Responsibilities Welcome and greet guests and members before Sunday services. Provide a friendly and helpful presence throughout the church campus. Assist visitors with directions, questions, and information about the church. Help guests feel comfortable and connected during their first visit. Assist with seating, hospitality, and other Sunday service needs. Help create a positive and welcoming environment for families and individuals. Support church events and special services as needed. Serve with a joyful attitude, humility, and a heart for people. Our Heart for This Ministry We believe every person who walks through our doors is important to God. The First Impressions Ministry helps demonstrate the love of Christ by creating meaningful connections and making people feel at home. Through kindness, hospitality, and intentional service, this team helps open the door for people to encounter Jesus and become part of the FBC Belle Glade family.
Fitness center Bible study leader (Español)
Paid position: No
Title: Volunteer
FBC Fitness Center is seeking a dedicated, Spanish-speaking volunteer to help lead our Wednesday night Fitness Center Bible Study and serve our Spanish-speaking community. The Spanish Bible Study Leader will work alongside our English Bible Study Leader to help create a welcoming, Christ-centered environment where participants can grow in their faith, build relationships, and study God’s Word together. Responsibilities Lead Bible study and discussion in Spanish. Work closely with the English Bible Study Leader to stay aligned on weekly lessons and topics. Help create an encouraging and welcoming environment for Spanish-speaking participants. Prepare for and participate in Wednesday night Bible study. Encourage spiritual growth, fellowship, and connection within the group. Qualifications Must be fluent in Spanish and able to communicate effectively in English. Have a strong personal faith in Jesus Christ and a desire to help others grow spiritually. Comfortable leading group discussions and studying Scripture with others. Dependable, encouraging, and willing to work as part of a ministry team. Previous Bible study or ministry leadership experience is welcomed, but not required. Serve With Us This is more than a volunteer position—it is an opportunity to use your gifts to help others strengthen both their faith and their community. If you feel called to serve and would like to learn more about becoming our Spanish Bible Study Leader, we would love to hear from you.
