About Us
Meet Our Staff
Biographies of our Ministry Staff
Pastor Craig Bowers
Craig was raised in Forest Park, GA, until 1970 when his family moved to Griffin. He is a 1977 graduate of Griffin High. and from Georgia College in 1982 with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems. In 1980 he met Belinda Smith on a “blind date.” The date went well and they were married in 1984. They immediately moved to Fort Worth, TX where Craig went to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He graduated with a Master’s degree in Divinity in 1987. He earned a Doctorate in Ministry degree in 2001 from Southern Baptist School for Biblical Studies.
He accepted his first full-time pastorate in 1986 while attending SWBTS in Granbury, TX. The historical church grew rapidly under his leadership and built a Sanctuary and Education space. Pastor Craig served two other churches in Georgia before accepting the pastorate of First Baptist of Locust Grove in January 2002. In 2005 the church purchased 30 acres and began the relocation process. New facilities were built that includes a multi-purpose building with a seating capacity of 750 and a two story education building featuring Preschool, Children's, Adult wings and a Youth Center. First services were held in the Spring 2008.
Craig and Belinda have three children, Stephen born in 1990, Bryan born in 1992 and Jennifer born in 1996. Craig’s favorite activities are spending time with his wife and children, “playing” golf and exercising his “spiritual gift” of hanging out.
Kenny Heath, Minister of Education & Administration
Kenny was born in Antioch, California. He spent most of his growing up years in Nashville, Tennessee. Kenny graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama with BS in Business Finance/Insurance and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1987.
While attending Two Rivers Baptist in Nashville, TN Kenny met Andra Bradley as they taught second grade Sunday school together. They were married on May 17, 1980. (No wonder his calling is in Education!
Kenny has been in full-time ministry since 1987. Kenny has served as Minister of Education at Williams Road Baptist Church in Forth Worth, TX; Dalewood Baptist Church in Nashville, TN and came to First Baptist Locust Grove in 1997.
Andra and Kenny have 3 boys. Sam, Ben, and Josh. His hobbies include “car repair projects, working on computers, and a little cooking now and then.”
Casey Matthews - Minister to Students
Casey was born in Riverdale, GA in 1985. He lived in Conley, GA until his family moved to McDonough in 1997. While attending high school, Casey met the love of his life, Amy. After graduating high school, Casey and Amy attended Georgia College & State University. During his senior year, Casey served as youth minister at Hardwick Baptist Church in Milledgeville, GA. In May 2007, he graduated receiving a bachelor’s degree in Rhetoric. Shortly after graduation, Casey came on staff at First Baptist Locust Grove as a summer intern and in August the church voted to make him the full-time Children’s & Preschool Minister.
Casey married his high school sweetheart, Amy, in September 2007 and they have a wonderful puppy named Madeline. In the midst of all the change in 2007, Casey also started attending New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in pursuit of a Masters degree in Divinity.
In his free time, Casey enjoys hunting, fishing, and playing softball. He also enjoys spending time with his family.
Paul Zahn - Minister of Music / Assimilation
Paul was born in 1957 in Culver City California because he wanted to be near his mother. Paul grew up in the Southwest living in Oklahoma and New Mexico.
After high school Paul went to Tennessee Temple University to play basketball, graduate and find a wife.
All three goals were accomplished and Paul graduated with a B.A. in Theology, won the national championship for Christian Colleges and he married Anita, all in 1979. After the wedding, they moved to Oklahoma City to coach and teach, but in 1981 Paul felt the call to serve in a church, so they moved to Griffin Georgia where Paul became the Minister of Music and Youth at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church. After serving Mt. Gilead for 19 years God led them to Poplar Heights Baptist Church in Jackson, Tennessee and then in 2004 they joined the staff at First Baptist in Locust Grove.
Paul and Anita have eight children. Mandi married in 2004, Jared, Ben, Jana, Turner, Nate, Daniel, and Levi. All the boys are involved in sports, so the Zahns spend a lot of time at the ball fields.
Paul enjoys sports, especially golf, woodworking and all kinds of music (except ‘rap’).
Christy McLendon- Preschool Director/Administrative Assistant
Christy was raised in Locust Grove, GA. She received her BA in history from Brewton-Parker College in Mt. Vernon, GA in 2005 and a Masters of Arts in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 2010.
Christy enjoys spending time with her family, music, reading, plants, animals and most sports but basketball is her favorite.
