Welcome to The First Baptist Church of Redlands website

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	Membership
	Typical Sunday Schedule
	Brief History of FBC R
	Meet Our Church Staff

Click on the names below to view bio or contact via email

Joe DeRoulhac, Jr., Ph.D., Senior Minister Emai Joe
Erin Gordon, M.Div. , Associate Pastor Emai Erin
Deena Chapman, Ph.D., Children's Ministry Emai Deena
Richard W. Steffen, Minister of Music Email Richard
Doris Billings, Church Organist
Eric Stoddard, Worship Music Leader Email Eric
Hien Huynh, Administrator Emai Hien
Angel Florence, Office Manager and Bookkeeper Emai Angel
Dennis Chenevert, Buildings and Grounds

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Senior Minister
Joe has served as Senior Minister of First Baptist since 1989. During his tenure he has emphasized that the Christian faith stirs both the heart and mind, awaking people to new possibilities for growth and service. Many new ministries have been started under Joe’s leadership and he is always looking for new ways for the church to be relevant to the needs and concerns of today’s world. His educational experience prepared him well for this task. His undergraduate work was in sociology, and after completing a Masters of Divinity degree that concentrated on Biblical and theological study, he combined all of these interests as an Oakley Fellow at the University of Southern California, from which Joe was granted a Ph.D. in social ethics in 1983. Joe has been active in the community and in the mission of the American Baptist Churches, USA, emphasizing the values of openness, transparency, and inclusion. His wife, Cindy, teaches third grade in Yucaipa. She is involved also as a middle school teacher in the church’s youth program. They have one daughter in college.

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Associate Pastor
Erin joined the staff of FBC Redlands in August 2008 to work with the youth and young adults. Raised in southwestern Virginia, Erin graduated from the College of William and Mary in 2004 with an A.B. in American Studies and the Wake Forest University Divinity School in May of 2008 with a M.Div. Her passions include empowerment of the congregation and individual in the pursuit of their calls, table fellowship, justice for all disenfranchised people, crafts that were rendered obsolete by the industrial revolution, and vegetarian sandwiches. She believes wholeheartedly in the potential and mission of the Church and hopes to do her part to nurture it into ever more joyful and inclusive wholeness.

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Director of Children’s Ministries
As an Organizational Psychologist, Deena brings a unique combination of organizational as well as nurturing skills to her position. She is in her fourth year at First Baptist, and with her leadership, the Children’s Ministries has more than doubled. She supervises more than 60 Children's Ministries volunteers and oversees all of the children's programs.

She also serves as Associate Professor at California Baptist University. She has four grown children and five grandchildren, which she delights in at every opportunity. While her favorite sports are tennis and swimming, her passions are fund-raisers for Women’s cancers, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Mustard Seed Tutorial Center.

Her basic foundation for personal spiritual growth is from Proverbs 3:5,6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in all you do and he will show you the right way.”

"The First Baptist Church of Redlands’ Children’s Ministries seek to prepare our children for a life-long journey of following Jesus. With every program opportunity for which the children are present, it is our desire to create an environment that will be a life-long educational and fun experience! We seek to provide a safe learning environment for all children, birth through 5th grade. All of the teachers and volunteers have been trained in areas such as: First Aid, CPR, teaching techniques, and creative crafts."
Deena Chapman

Click here to find out more information about the Children’s Ministry and what to expect on Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings

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Minister of Music
Richard has been the Minister of Music at First Baptist Redlands for 20 years. Richard’s music ministry includes directing the children’s and youth choirs, the bell choir and the Chancel Choir. In addition to leading the Chancel Choir on Sunday mornings, Richard also plans and directs music for events during the Christmas and Easter seasons as well as other special occasions. His skills as an organist, pianist, vocalist, and director have contributed greatly to the enjoyment of a comprehensive church music program.

When not at FBCR, Richard is in his twenty-second year as the Director of Choral Activities and Performing Arts Department Chairman of Riverside Poly High School in Riverside, CA.

Richard has his undergraduate degree from Taylor University, a Christian liberal arts university in Indiana. His Master’s Degree is from Butler University in Indianapolis. He has also completed some graduate courses at the University of Redlands.

Richard’s family enjoys being involved at FBCR. Marla, his wife, sings in the Chancel Choir and has performed in the handbell choir. Their children, Aaron and Anna, who are currently attending universities in California, have also been involved in the children’s, youth, and handbell choirs.

“Each week we have a wonderful opportunity to gather and support each other as we worship. Singing, praying, preaching, and sharing are integral ways for us to consider God’s love for us. Music can quiet our minds, open our hearts, inspire our devotion, and lift our praise. How exciting it is for me to join together here at FBCR to worship our loving God.” Richard Steffen

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Church Organist
Doris began playing the pipe organ for churches in 1948 while studying with Clarence Mader in Los Angeles. Later she studied with Leslie Spelman and Gerard Faber. She has served as the church organist at First Congregational Church in Santa Ana, First Baptist Church in San Diego, and First Presbyterian in Redlands. She has been on staff at First Baptist Redlands as organist and accompanist since 1968.

“ I have always felt that music in the liturgy is God's gift to the church and helps his people glorify Him. Surely, making music makes me happier in my soul than anything else I do!” Doris Billings

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Music Leader - 8:30 a.m. Worship Service
Eric has attended First Baptist since 2000. He graduated from the University of Redlands that same year with a Bachelor of Music degree in organ performance, music history, and composition. He joined the First Baptist staff as the music leader for the 8:30 service on October 27, 2002. He also works as administrator of Mustard Seed Tutorial Center, a non-profit tutoring center for low-income students located on the First Baptist Redlands campus.

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Administrator
Raised in Dalat, Vietnam for the first eight years of his childhood, Hien and his family immigrated to the States in 1982 and resided in Huntington Beach, California. Hien grew up exposed to Buddhism, Catholicism, as well as Protestantism. In 1993, he attended the University of Redlands (U of R). As a result of an incredible group of Christian friends he met on campus, he chose to follow Jesus.

He enjoys sports, hiking, camping, spending time with his family, and reading books, including but not limited to The Lord of the Rings, The Little Prince and the Miss Manners series. One of his favorite scripture passage is Galatians 3:28-29.

Hien has attended FBC Redlands since 1997. He has served on staff since 1999, first as Director of Youth Ministries, later including responsibilities with office administration. Hien now serves as full time Church Administrator with responsibilities as Director of Communications and Coordinator of Programs. In between overseeing the production of the weekly Sunday bulletin and the monthly Tapestry newsletter, he clears copier paper jams.

“I hope that those attending First Baptist Church of Redlands will find a welcoming environment where they will be encouraged to freely think, learn, worship, love, and serve their neighbors and God with joy. It’s an honor to serve with our staff and volunteers to support the mission and ministries of the church.” Hien Huynh

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Office Manager and Bookkeeper
Angel grew up in the heart of Los Angeles, and contrary to popular belief some people from L.A. actually turn out “normal.” She can be described as cheerful with a sunny disposition. Prior to joining The First Baptist Church of Redlands Angel worked in finance in the private business sector. Angel now serves as the church Office Manager and Bookkeeper. Since joining the church staff, she has become a regular attendee.

When not at work or church Angel enjoys reading and the great outdoors.

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Buildings and Grounds
Born in the Seychelles, a group of over 100 tropical paradise islands scattered over a million square kilometers in the Indian Ocean, Dennis is involved in supervision of the church facilities under the direction of the Property and Finance Commission. He sets up the church facility for the weekly worship services and programs as well as assists the various ministries and groups with their meeting needs. The church building and grounds are well maintained as a result of Dennis’ leadership.

Dennis is a big sports fan and is particularly interested in following local sport teams. In addition, he really enjoys fishing.

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