Rev. Dawes Dunham

Lead Pastor

Rev. Dawes J. Dunham was born in Ilion, N.Y. on November 23, 1957. He graduated from Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, PA with a BS in Bible and a Masters degree in Biblical Studies. Pastor Dawes began serving as Associate Pastor for FBC in September 2009, having served the First Baptist Church in East Stroudsburg as Associate & Youth Pastor since 1997. Prior to his ministry there, he served in Maine & New York. Pastor Dawes & his wife Brenda have six sons: Dawes & wife Chariss (two children: Princess Joyce and Prince Walt); Jeremy & wife, Alexis (one child: Levi); Josiah, Kyle & wife Karen (new baby girl: Emberly), Jack, and Jasen.

His hobbies include running, biking, fishing and reading. He is an avid sports fan of teams who enjoy breaking his heart with excruciating losses.

Pastor Paul Fink

Associate Pastor

ppaul@danvillefirstbaptist.org

Pastor Paul D. Fink was born in New Castle, PA. He graduated from Liberty University in 1997 and from Dallas Theological Seminary in 2001. He taught at Baptist Theological College in Cebu, Philippines during the fall of 2001 and spring of 2002. After returning home from the Philippines, he pastored the New Wilmington Alliance Church from the fall of 2002 until the summer of 2011. He and his wife, Ruth, have two sons, Peter and Andrew.

Pastor Paul is a fan of all three professional Pittsburgh sports teams, enjoys reading about science and technology and watching science fiction movies.

Pastor Luke Watkins

Youth Pastor

pluke@danvillefirstbaptist.org

Joining FBC in September 2014, Youth Pastor Luke Watkins graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor’s in Religion, Concentrating on Youth Ministry in 2008. Since then, he has been a Youth Counselor at a residential group home for at-risk teens and was employed most recently as a Therapeutic Staff Support for Philhaven in Lancaster, PA. He was also a Youth Leader at Community Bible Church in Marietta, PA, along with several other volunteer positions serving with youth.

Pastor Luke has been on several mission trips. He has been stateside three times: Illinois (’99); and Iowa (’00 & ’01). He has also been to Peru three times (’02, ’03, ’04). His hobbies include reading, playing board games, football, ultimate frisbee and frisbee golf, snowboarding and Chicago Sports teams.

Pastor Luke is married to Sara, and they have 4 children: Malachi, Emmaline, Lilyanna and Theodore.

Pastor John Messner

Music Pastor

pjohn@danvillefirstbaptist.org

Pastor John joined FBC in August of 2014. He comes with loads of experience in performing and directing music. He graduated from Eastern University with a BA in Music Education. He is the front man of the Christian Rock Band, SALINE, and has been a worship coordinator or a musical director at multiple churches and Christian camps. He most recently was the Music Teacher at Columbia County Christian School in Bloomsburg, PA.

His hobbies include playing/writing/recording music, playing baseball or basketball, reading, watching the Phillies and playing board games (Settlers of Catan anyone?).

Pastor John and his wife Shelly have 4 children: Jackson, Jodi, Jonathan (Damien), and Jenna

John and Shelly both have a heart for adoption and would love to talk to anyone interested in foster care and/or adoption!

Katie Yarger

Children’s Ministry Director

katie@danvillefirstbaptist.org

Katie graduated from Bloomsburg University with a BA in Communications focusing on Human Resources. After getting married, she spent 4+ years in Florida which included working at the Disney All Star Resort. Upon returning to Danville, she quickly found a home at First Baptist and discovered her passion for children’s ministry after volunteering with the Awana program. A few years later she started helping with Vacation Bible School and was hooked. She soon became director of both programs.

Katie was hired as full time secretary in 2017 and when the Children’s Ministry Director position was created, felt led by God to apply. She stepped into this role in August 2022.

Her hobbies include shopping with friends, decorating and planning events, and random adventures.

She is married to Buddy and they are proud pup parents.