Deron, Sandy and family have been here at First Baptist Church for the last 25 years. Sandy and Deron met in Springfield, Mo. while in Bible college and have been married 33 years. They have three children. DJ, Cody, and Elizabeth (or Izzy). Cody is married to Megan, and Elizabeth to Austin Francis. They now have 6 grandchildren. (Bryleigh, Dexton, Ellie, Granville, Nolan and Emerson)

Pastor Deron has a BS in Bible and Youth from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Mo. Sandy has an Elementary Ed. Degree from Baptist Bible College and is employed with the SIlver Lake School District.

After Deron and Sandy married, Deron worked for about four years as the youth pastor at Bible Baptist Church in Ash Grove, Mo. He then felt God’s call on his life to become a pastor.  In 1992, he surrendered to this call. Sandy and he then felt led to come to SIlver Lake to pastor. They then started Silver Lake Community Church. During that time the former pastor here at First Baptist Church had resigned. Silver Lake Community Church was in need of a building and First Baptist Church was in need of a pastor. In God’s sovereignty, He brought the two groups together. The two churches met together for a short period of time and then combined the two congregations into one. At that time the church was running about 50 people.

Pastor Deron says it has been a blessing to witness what God has done through First Baptist Church over the last 25 years. He is also excited to see what God will do in the future as First Baptist Church follows the Lord and reaches people for Christ. God's Word says in Psalm 127:1 "Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it." Deron and Sandy have truly been glad to be a part of what God is building here. They both call this place home and hope to serve in this community and church for years to come.