Staff - First Baptist Church

Our Staff

Our leadership is spiritually inspired to help First Baptist grow as we serve the community.

Dr. Rob Collins has served as the Senior Pastor at First Baptist since October of 2018. He came here after serving as Associate Pastor of Locust Grove Baptist Church in New Market, AL for over ten years.

Dr. Rob holds a Doctor of Ministry from McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University (Atlanta, GA), a Master of Divinity from Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity (Boiling Springs, NC), and a Bachelor of Arts from Howard Payne University (Brownwood, TX). He grew up in Fort Worth, Texas and is an avid Dallas Mavericks fan.

In ministry Dr. Rob uses storytelling to help others experience the love of God. When not in the pulpit Dr. Rob appreciates reading, watching movies, traveling with his family, and playing board games.

Rob is married to Casey, who he met while serving in Alabama. They were married in June of 2010 and together they have two young children.

Casey is a Special Education teacher, with a Masters degree from Arkansas State University (Jonesboro, AR) and a Bachelors degree from Samford University (Birmingham, AL). Casey teaches at Sterling Middle School and serves on the Board of Directors for Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service. Outside of teaching Casey enjoys family time, exercising, reading, painting, witty comedies, and hot cups of coffee.

email Rob@fbcpeoria.org

Mark Grizzard serves as Music Director and Young Adults Leader. He directs the Chancel Choir and Youth Band, and he coordinates other ensembles including the guitar ensemble Higher Ground, Men’s Choir, and special-event music groups. He also leads the youth group and organizes small group activities for young adults.

In addition to his work at the church, Mark is an adjunct School of Music faculty member at Illinois State University, and he has years of professional experience as a performer, composer, arranger, educator, and clinician. He lives in Peoria with his wife Leigh.

email mark@fbcpeoria.org

Dr. Joshua Russell plays the piano and organ for worship services and additional functions at First Baptist Church. He has performed throughout the world as a concert pianist, organist, and conductor and is recognized as a leading expert on the piano music of Haiti. He frequently appears as a soloist with orchestras across North America and is a sought-after speaker on topics related to music performance and teaching.

Leigh Grizzard is in her fifth year as Handbell Choir Director. In addition to directing the First Baptist Handbell Choir, Leigh is Director of Choirs at Pekin Community High School, where she conducts three curricular choirs as well as the Pekin Noteables show choir. A Music Education graduate from Valparaiso University, Leigh also directs the Youth Choir at Trinity Lutheran Church in Peoria and is active in many area musical opportunities, such as singing in the annual Peoria Bach Festival and performing as a soloist with the Peoria Municipal Band. She lives in Peoria with her husband Mark.

Cindy Courtney has been a member of FBC for over 35 years. She has served on and was chairperson of numerous boards including: Diaconate, Trustees (chairman during Covid shutdown), and Church Clerk. Cindy assisted Rev. Thomas Bayes Jr. with Baptism classes for over seven years.

She has three grown children: Bobby Aaron, Devon Elliott, and Deanna Zuercher, along with four grandsons, a step-grandson and step-granddaughter.

When Cindy isn’t keeping the church office running like a well-oiled machine, she is an avid Star Trek fan! She also collects lighthouses, Gnomes, and loves all things American Girl and Ruby Red Fashion Friends dolls!

email office@fbcpeoria.org