Dr. Gregory Cooper
Greg came to First Baptist in 1998 as the Senior Pastor. He is a native Ohioan born and raised in Newark. He and his wife Marla have two daughters—Stacy (24) a recent graduate of Ohio State University, and Marissa (21) a student at the University of Cincinnati. Greg’s life calling is to help build significant lives through teaching people how to implement God’s word in every area of their lives. His teaching style is very relaxed and practical.
Greg is a graduate of Bluefield College in Virginia with a degree in psychology; Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas with a Master of Divinity and Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Tennessee with a Doctor of Ministry degree.
In his spare time, Greg loves to play golf and ride on his motorcycle with his wife Marla. Greg’s least favorite thing to do? Working in the yard. Some things you may not know. Greg’s favorite series of movies is Rocky, his favorite food is pizza and he has a dog named Ozzie.
Dr. Waverly Wilkerson
Wave was born in Henderson, Kentucky, but has been serving full-time in churches since 1975 and in Ohio churches specifically since 1981. He attended Murray State University where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Music Education. Later, while serving a church in Dayton, Ohio, he earned his Master’s of Science in Mental Health Counseling at Wright State University. While serving here at First Baptist Church, Groveport, he has earned his Doctorate of Worship Studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute of Worship Studies. Presently, he is taking a hiatus from school – of which his wife is eternally grateful.
Wave met his wife, Nancy, in high school during their senior year. She is presently working for OhioHealth as an Executive Assistant to the Vice-President of System Development. She plays flute in the worship band, sings alto in the worship choir, helps with the children’s choir and loves to play 2-piano duets with her husband (which delights him tremendously). She and Wave have two sons, Mason and Alex, and five grandchildren – Breanna, Austin, Cassidy, Zachary, and Da’Nario.
Wave enjoys volunteering as the pianist for the Groveport Madison High School Choral Department, as well as being the rehearsal accompanist for the Drama Department’s annual spring musical. His stress releaser is directing the Columbus Guitar Society’s classical guitar ensemble, which consists of approximately 18 players from the Metro Columbus area.
Wave’s three weaknesses: chocolate, chocolate, and chocolate
Wave’s favorite place to visit: Starbucks
Wave’s passion: worship
Wave’s obsession: taking in strays – both of the feline and human persuasion.
Jeff Krigbaum, Youth Leader
Jeff grew up in Canal Winchester, OH and has been a member of FBC Groveport for 15 years. He attended Ohio Wesleyan University and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Physical Education in 2004. Jeff is the Director and Founder of Pride Soccer Club, which is a non-profit youth soccer organization. Jeff stepped in as youth leader in September of 2008. In addition to leading the youth group, Jeff is also involved in leading the Upward sports ministry at Groveport. Jeff is happily married to his high school sweetheart, Rebecca, who is an elementary school teacher and they have a newborn son Harrison. During his free time, Jeff enjoys playing sports, working out, camping, kayaking and spending time with his family.
Lisa Norman, Administrative Assistant
Lisa has been attending FBC since conception (hers) — she was two weeks old when her parents starting bringing her to church. Born and raised in the Groveport area and a graduate of Groveport Madison High School in 1984.
She met her husband, Eric Norman on a blind date and married him two years later. Eric and Lisa have been married for 19 wonderfully marvelous years. Eric is a firefighter for the City of Columbus and has been employed there for 19 years.
Lisa has been working for FBC since April, 2001, as the Administrative Assistant for the Senior Pastor and the Worship Pastor. She very much enjoys the pastor’s she works for (She kind of has to say that, doesn’t she?) and her co-workers.
Her likes: Snicker’s, strawberries, flip flops, macadamia nut cookies, sandals, laughing, reading, water skiing, boots, warm weather…did she mention shoes?, traveling, thunderstorms, the ocean, shopping, and her dog Ziggie.
Her dislikes: raisins, cucumbers, tomatoes, celery, cold weather, black licorice, crazy drivers, scary movies, bats and spiders.
Her hobbies: spending time at Seneca Lake – boating, skiing and sunning with her hubby, friends and family.
Barbara Reece, Financial Administrator
Barbara was born and raised in Columbus Ohio. She was a graduate of Groveport Madison High School in 1986 and a graduate of Nationwide Beauty Academy in 1987. She is a licensed cosmetologist who specialized in skin and nail care. She retired from this industry after 21 great years.
Barbara is married to Jim Reece. They were married in August 1989, and were blessed with 2 wonderful children Austin 21 and Briana 16 and then were blessed again in 2007 when Willie 22 adopted us to be his new family.
Barbara received Christ and was baptized at FBC in Dec of 1996. She and her family have attended FBC ever since. After several subtle pokes from God and not so subtle hits over the head. God made it clear that she needed to follow Him and what he wanted for her which began her employment at FBC in July 2006 as the Financial Administrator. It’s funny how things work out when you slow down and listen to God. He really does know what is best!
Her likes: Reese cups, Oreo ice cream, shoes, shopping and a clean house!
Her dislikes: mean people, surgery, liver and onions and a dirty house
Her hobbies: spending time with family, motorcycle riding with husband, crafts, tangleword puzzles and watching movies.
Patty Sowers, Director of Children’s Ministries
Patty, a true Buckeye at heart, was born and raised in Columbus, OH. She was raised in a Christian home, but did not come to know the Lord Jesus as her own personal Savior until her freshman year of college. Patty earned her Bachelor’s degree from Ohio Christian University (formerly Circleville Bible College) where she majored in Teacher Education. Patty served in various capacities in several churches before God called her to serve Him and the children of Groveport. She taught sixth grade for nine years at a local Christian school where she continued to learn and earn CEU’s in the education field.
Patty is happily married and the mother of two beautiful children. She met her husband, Rick (a Penn State fan ~ but she doesn’t hold that against him) in college. They married after 3 years of friendship and one year of engagement. Their daughter Mikayla plays the clarinet and is actively involved in the marching band and concert band at Teays Valley High School, thus making mom an official “band mom.” Cedric, their son also attends Teays Valley and will someday be a member of the high school band (and hopefully the HS baseball team as well).
Patty’s hobbies involve reading, yard work, scrapbooking, baking, cooking and keeping up with her teenage children. Her favorite foods are chocolate and popcorn. You will not catch her with seafood on her plate, and she will not utter the name of that state up North… GO BUCKS!!








