About Us

Who are we?

First Baptist Church of Sweet Springs is a community church devoted to the reading and teaching of God's word, seeking unity in fellowship, vision, and worship through the Holy Spirit, and to service in our church family, our community, and the world as directed by Jesus, the Messiah.

Kris Raven, Pastor

Kris is passionate about advancing the Kingdom by calling us out of empty rituals to live in obedience as God's heirs. He's a gifted teacher and Bible scholar who began his ministry as an Interim Youth Pastor at First Baptist Church in Gonzales, TX and it was there, he discovered the Lord had wired him as a pastor and shepherd. He began serving as our Interim Pastor in November 2014 and was called to be our full time Pastor in July 2015.

Dee Friel, Administrative Assistant

Dee is passionate about our community and our Church's place in Sweet Springs. She's been a member since 1984 and became the Administrative Assistant in 2013. She's also our church treasurer and bookkeeper.

Kerrie Wike, Worship Leader

Kerrie is passionate about worshipping the Lord through song and the hearts of our church. She leads the praise team and the congregation in worship every Sunday morning, and works with the choir as well. She also leads the Movement, a group of ladies comitted to fitness who meet three times a week.

David B. Goode, Music & Choir Director

David is passionate about the song's we sing as the Church, whether that's all together as a congregation, as a choir, or as individuals. He strives to utilize the biblical Psalms, the classic hymns, and modern praise songs to bring our church into a place of worship, to make disciples, and to inspire non-believers to faith in Jesus Christ.

Drake Goode, Youth Director

Drake is passionate about God's calling and His assignments in our lives. He leads our youth by teaching them to read God's word and to listen to His voice. He grew up here in Sweet Springs and has been a member of our church since 2008. He was called to be our Youth Pastor in 2014.

Debbie Smith, Children's Director

Debbie is passionate about teaching children and living a Christ-like example. She leads our children's ministry like she's lead her own children, with love, tenderness, and wisdom. She grew-up in Independence, MO.

Kayla Raven, Preschool Director

Kayla is passionate about the young children of our church and treating them as precious gifts from the Father. She wants to nurture and cultivate what the Lord has already placed inside of them and teach them the wonderful truths that we find in scripture so that they may know the love of their Father.