Staff Team

Ministerial Staff

Richard Buerkle

Minister of Music & Worship

Richard and his wife Megan moved from Knoxville to join the FBC family in 2016. Born in Dallas, Texas, Richard s a proud graduate of Baylor University and Truett Seminary. He has served churches in Texas and Virginia since 2000. Richard and Megan have two children, Weston and Henley. The family enjoys movies, eating out, theatre, music, and playing with their dog Bentley. Richard is constantly looking for new and creative ways to tell the story of God and invite others to participate in the Kingdom of God.

Brent McDougal

Senior Pastor

office: 865-246-4664
[email protected]

Brent began as pastor of First Baptist in December of 2020. He is married to Jennifer, a NICU nurse at the University of Tennessee hospital, and they have two children, Christopher and Emily. A graduate of Emory University (BA), Samford University (MDiv), the University of Alabama (PhD), Brent enjoys fishing, painting, college football, travel, good coffee, hiking, beaches, and meals with family and friends.

Pam Neal

Minister for Administration

office: 865-246-4660
[email protected]

Pam, a native Knoxvillian, has been in full-time ministry since 1997, and has served at First Baptist since August 2012. She has enjoyed serving in Youth, Children, Senior Adult, Discipleship, and Administration Ministries at churches in Knoxville. Pam is married to Ron, has two sons, two daughters-in-love, and five grandchildren.

Chuck Powell

Minister with Youth and Families

[email protected]

Chuck has been with FBC since 2021, working with the youth and their families, and his desire is to see the students build stronger relationships with each other, the church, and ultimately, Jesus Christ. Chuck is a Knoxville native and lives here with his wife Janie and their their three daughters. Chuck’s major interests are college basketball and collecting/making music.

Susan Tatum

Minister with Children and Families

office: 865-246-4666
[email protected]

Susan has served in Children’s Ministry for 35 years. She has served as the Minister with Children and Families at FBC for the last 17 years. She has a degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Carson Newman University. Susan and her husband, Alan, have two grown sons and a very spoiled dog named Spare. Her greatest joy comes in seeing a child accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior and follow in believer’s baptism.