Meet our Staff

  • Gary mitchener

    Lead Pastor

    Pastor Gary started the 1st FWB Church of Ozark on July 15, 1993 with his wife, Brenda and three children, Christi, David (and wife, Lindsey) and Rebecca (and husband, Keith). They are blessed with 3 grandchildren as well, Silas, Wesley, and Kole.


    Pastor Gary was ordained in 1976 and has pastored for over 40 years in Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas. He has served as Associate Moderator in Kansas, as well as chairman of the Kansas State Missions Board and Missouri State Missions Board. He enjoys golfing, fishing, restoring antique cars, and playing with his grandsons. Brenda is active in the church by supporting her husband as "Pastor's wife" along with a great love for people,  and teaching children''s classes. Brenda enjoys reading, shopping, teaching and working with children. Brenda says she enjoys being a Pastor's wife and ministering in the church.


    pastorgrm@aol.com

  • Greg Smith

    Music Minister and Associate Pastor

    Greg has been on staff since the summer of 2000 and has taken the music at 1st FWB, Ozark, to a whole new level in Christ. Greg is a 1992 graduate from the Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, Tennessee (now known as Welch College).


    Greg, along with his wife, Kim, have served in Church Music Ministry for over 20 years. Greg was licensed and ordained as a Minister in November, 2001. He enjoys fishing, hunting and riding his motorcycle. Greg and Kim have three boys, Layton (and wife, Stephanie), Daylen and Caysen,  and 4 grandkids Micah, Adah, Noah and Judah!


    smittygks@aol.com

  • Kim Smith

    Secretary

    Kim is the wife of our Music Minister and Associate Pastor, Greg. She does a wonderful job as our church administrative assistant / secretary since 2002. Her title does not capture the full array of things she does for our church. Kim leads the Children's Music Ministry and leads in our worship service along side Greg (her husband). She teaches music lessons as a part-time job and as an outreach to the community.   Kim enjoys working with children, playing the piano, singing, and being with friends. Greg and Kim have three boys, Layton and his wife Stephanie, Daylen and Caysen. Kim loves being Grammy to her four grandkids Micah, Adah, Noah, and Judah! 


    contact@ozarkfamilychurch.com

  • Gene Crewse

    Heritage Campus Pastor

    Brother Gene has pastored for 42 years. He was ordained in 1973. In addition to what you have there, he is also currently on the State Retiree Board, the Fordland Medical Clinic Board, and the Fordland Senior Housing Board. Gene and his wife Janie have been married for 1 year. Both were married to their previous spouses for 50 years, before God called their spouses home. Gene and Janie have a combined family of 6 children, 15 Grandchildren, and 2 Great-Grandchildren. Gene is thankful for the opportunity to still be ministering at the age of (almost) 75.


    Gene started pastoring at our Heritage Campus in May, 2018 when we adopted Heritage as a part of our family.  We are excited to see what God is going to do at Heritage!



    ozarkfwb@gmail.com

  • Garel McGinley

    OFC Student Ministry Director

    In October, 2022, Garel McGInley joined the staff at OFC as our Student Ministry Pastor and Education Director.  Garel, and his wife, Jessie, are from West Plains, MO.  Garel has been active in church his entire life.  He accepted the call to the ministry during his freshman year of college.  He has had the opportunity to work with many experienced pastors during his internships.  Garel has a passion for promoting discipleship and accountability through relationship building.


    garelmcginley@gmail.com

  • Greg & Rhonda Sexton

    OFC KIDS DIRECTORS

    Greg Sexton is from Louisville, Kentucky. He was saved 28 years ago

    He became the Youth Leader. The group grew into a wonderful Bus Ministry to some inner-city kids and God made a real change in many lives. He has a Bachelors of Science in Communication and now works for Pitt Technology Group as a Sales Engineer.  Rhonda accepted the Lord at age 12. She is a career educator of over 30 years in public and private schools. Her degrees and certifications include, elementary

    and secondary education, music, integrated arts and literacy with a Masters degree in educational technology. Rhonda currently teaches for Springfield Public Schools.  Rhonda has served in numerous ministry and

    education roles as a church planter, children’s and adult curriculum writer, published author, and children’s ministry director. 


    Both Greg and Rhonda have a strong desire to see others grow in the Lord and they strives to live this out through committed prayer, relationship building and personal mentoring of others.


    Rsexton102117@gmail.com