Dr. Bruce Chesser
Senior Pastor
An Alabama native, Bruce Chesser attended the University of Mobile, then Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned a Masters degree and Doctor of Ministries degree. He and his wife Joy married during seminary years. They have two sons--Justin, who is married to Meredith, and Travis, a student at the University of Alabama. They all live in Alabama--Justin and Meredith in Montgomery, and Travis in Tuscaloosa. The Chessers have served the following churches: First Baptist, Spearman, Texas; First Baptist, Opp, Alabama; Fayette First Baptist, Fayette, Alabama; Calvary Baptist, Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Geyer Springs First Baptist, Little Rock, Arkansas; and First Baptist Church of Hendersonville since August 2009. Bruce enjoys all sports, especially involving the University of Alabama. He is also a fan of the Tennessee Titans and the Nashville Predators.
Bob Landham
Executive Pastor
After spending his childhood in Griffin, Georgia, Bob Landham earned degrees from Auburn University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served in churches in both Georgia and Tennessee, then joined the staff of First Baptist in 1998. As Executive Pastor, Bob serves with Bro. Bruce and the senior leadership team in the overall direction of the church, as well as staff development and coordination. He and his wife Cindy have three young adult children: Katie, Emily, and J. Bob enjoys spending time in the woods around his country home “in the holler” ten miles north of town.
Bill Gruenewald
Minister of Business Administration
A native of West Tennessee, Bill Gruenewald has served at First Baptist since 1998. He is an alumnus of Tennessee Tech University, where he earned a Bachelors degree in accounting and a Masters of Business Administration. After working in the public business sector, he earned a Masters degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Bill then served as as Minister of Education and Administration at First Baptist, Hickory, North Carolina. He holds certification in church administration and is active in denominational business associations. Bill and his wife Terri have one son, William.
Richard Gaia
Minister of Education
Born and raised in Tennessee, Richard Gaia earned a Bachelors degree from Austin Peay State University and a Masters of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife Beverly, who serves in the music ministry, have two married children, one granddaughter, and another grandchild on the way. Richard teaches whenever possible, whether Sunday School or PLACE (connecting people to service). He likes all sports, travel, movies, and the symphony, and enjoys playing golf and riding his waverunner. Richard has served at First Baptist since January 1989.
David Hobbs
Director of Church Communications
A Nashville native, David holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Tennessee. Before coming to First Baptist in Fall ’08, he managed the Creative Services section for LifeWay Christian Stores and more recently, owned a marketing and creative business that specialized in helping ministries. David and his wife Linda have four sons. He likes to spend his time outdoors--fishing, mountain biking, and motorcycling.
Jeff Lake
Family Ministry Center Director
Born in Georgia and raised in North Carolina, Jeff Lake earned a degree in recreation administration from Arkansas Tech University. He and his wife Kim met while in college and married soon after his graduation. Jeff earned a Masters degree in religious education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, served as a youth minister in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and spent five years serving in Christian camp ministry. He joined the staff of First Baptist in 1990. Jeff and Kim have two grown daughters, Amanda and Elizabeth, and he enjoys most sports and spending time with family.
Troy Freeman
Minister of Worship
Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, Troy Freeman holds a degree in Business Administration from Belmont University, with an emphasis in Music Business. He oversees the entire worship ministry at First Baptist and leads worship in our worship center services. Troy has served in the following churches during his ministry: Trinity Baptist – Southaven, MS; Plymouth Park Baptist – Irving, TX; Black Rock Congregational – Fairfield, CT; and Central Baptist – College Station, TX. Troy and his wife (Jennifer) met while in college, and they have two daughters – Emma Grace and Ella Kate. He enjoys sports, travel, music, and spending time with his family. Troy has served at First Baptist since 2007.
David Walley
Director of Counseling Ministries
David Walley grew up in the home of his Methodist preacher father in various small towns in central and south Mississippi. He graduated from Mississippi College with a Bachelor of Music degree, and from The New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with both a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree. David and his wife Ellen have a daughter who is an ER nurse in Birmingham, AL; a son who has his own photography business; and a son in high school. They moved to the Nashville area in 1994 when he went to work as a consultant for The Sunday School Board for two years before assuming his present First Baptist Church Hendersonville position as Director of Counseling Ministries in 1996. David and his family enjoy their log home life in Greenbrier, Tennessee, where he also enjoys working in the yard, reading, and slowing down time as much as possible to spend with his family.