ROB POCHEK 

SENIOR PASTOR     

Rob has served at FBC since February 28, 2016.  He has been married to his wife Susan since 1989 and they have two adult children. He is passionate about teaching disciples of all generations about Jesus! After receiving his M.Div. and a Ph.D. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, he has written articles for Baptist Press, the Biblical Recorder of NC, ChurchLeaders.com, and SermonCentral.com, along with a book The Unleashed Church. He teaches Evangelism and Missions as an Adjunct Professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary! In addition, he serves on the Board of Trustees at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fork Union Military Academy, and the Board of Directors of the SBC of Virginia. He is also the National Road Captain for the FAITH Riders Motorcycle Ministry.

Pastors and Directors

  • REV. DALE FIELDS

    WORSHIP PASTOR


    Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Dale moved to Charlottesville to join the FBC staff in 2017. He's been married to his wife Hannah for over 20 years and has four children: Grace, Micah, Sam, and Annie. Dale holds a Bachelor of Science in Religion from Liberty University and a Master of Christian Education from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He currently serves as the Worship Pastor at First Baptist Church and has served in pastoral ministry since 2001. Additionally, Dale has taught bible and music courses in private Christian schools both in Kentucky and Virginia. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family, playing the piano and mandolin, reading a variety of books, and cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats. Dale is passionate about cultivating biblical worshippers and loud congregational singing!

  • REV. benji hall

    Youth & family PASTOR


    Benji has been in pastoral ministry since 2008, serving twelve years in Northern California as the youth pastor and then lead pastor before coming on staff at FBC in 2021. He and his wife Chelsea were married in 2009 and have four children. Benji enjoys playing pickleball and basketball, watching the Jacksonville Jaguars and Virginia Tech Hokies, enjoying the outdoors, and spending time with his family. He received a Bachelors in Biblical Studies and Masters of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Liberty University, and is almost finished with his Masters of Divinity in Theology. Benji is passionate about students owning their faith and firmly believes that our youth are not the church of tomorrow; they are an integral part of the church of today! 

  • bill fulkerson

    church administrator


    Bill joined the FBC staff in 2020 after working in healthcare management for over 20 years. Bill and his wife Mary Pat have been married since 2001 and have two children. He enjoys reading, sports, and time at the beach. Bill has a BS in Mathematics from Saint Bonaventure University, a Master’s in operations research from North Carolina State University, and an MBA from Duke University.

  • nancy ryalls

    director of firstkids & womens ministry


    Nancy is a home-grown servant having been raised at First Baptist Church, Park Street, and has been on staff at FBC since 2000. She’s been married to her husband Russ since 1985 and has two grown children and five grandchildren. Nancy enjoys spending time with the grandkids, reading, baking, loves teaching the Word, VBS,  mentoring, and playing with the grandkids some more!  She has a BS in Nursing from the University of Virginia. 

  • jenna velasquez

    media director


    Jenna started working in church tech in 2019, and joined FBC in 2023.  She studied Audio Engineering at the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences and worked as a broadcast engineer for sporting events across the country! She enjoys hiking with friends, reading, skateboarding, and live music.

  • tracey young

    FBC preschool director


    Tracey has been part of the FBC staff since 2021. She’s been married to her husband Reid since 1994 and has two grown daughters and one grandson. Tracey enjoys spending time with her family, reading, walking, the beach, and loving on her grandson whenever possible!  She has a BA in Psychology from the University of Virginia, a MSSA in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University, and is licensed as a clinical social worker in Virginia. 

Office Staff

  • stephanie rhoades

    office manager | Finance


    Stephanie joined our FBC team in 2022. She enjoys spending time with her husband, David, and their children. Along with her ministry at the church, she has been to Haiti serving in medical missions, teaching, and loving on the children of a mountain orphanage. In her professional life Stephanie studied Business & Accounting at Piedmont Virginia Community College and Liberty University. In 2013 Stephanie was a part of the Women Studies program at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where they teach women the unique responsibilities of being a pastor's wife. 

  • CHRISTI CHRISTIAN

    ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT


    Christi joined the FBC staff in early December of 2023.  She has been married to her husband Shannon since 2000 and has two children.  Christi enjoys spending time outdoors fishing with her husband, reading, loves the mountains and the beach, and enjoys spending time with family. 

  • Olivia Klipp

    ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT


    Olivia has been at First Baptist Park Street since she was 2 years old and joined the FBC staff January, 2024. She has been married to her husband Noah since December, 2023. She teaches 3-year-old Sunday school and serves in the youth ministry leading a small group for middle school girls. She is passionate about pouring into the lives of young ladies. In her free time, Olivia enjoys baking various treats and experimenting in the kitchen, spending time with her family, reading, and any form of exercise.

Preschool and Children's Ministry

  • TRACEY YOUNG

    FBC PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR


    Tracey has been part of the FBC staff since 2021. She’s been married to her husband Reid since 1994 and has two grown daughters and one grandson. Tracey enjoys spending time with her family, reading, walking, the beach, and loving on her grandson whenever possible!  She has a BA in Psychology from the University of Virginia, a MSSA in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University, and is licensed as a clinical social worker in Virginia. 

  • LORI BUCKLEY

    PRESCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT


    Lori has been on the FBP staff since 1999. She and her husband John, married in 1987, have two grown children and two sweet granddaughters. Lori enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, knitting/crocheting, and hiking. She has a BA in Psychology/Sociology and a MS in Rehabilitation Counseling, both from UNC-Chapel Hill.

  • CYNTHIA PISTULKA

    CHILDCARE & KITCHEN COORDINATOR


    When you need something accomplished well and with great humor, Cynthia can do it! 

  • Sherry felker

    firstkids administrative assistant


    Sherry handles a variety of tasks in FIRSTkids- from Sunday School to VBS, her passion in serving children at first baptist is inspiring! She spends her free time with her husband, Chip (who also serves in the youth ministry), and her grandchildren! 

Music

  • DAWN RICH

    WORSHIP MINISTRY ASSISTANT


    A talented musician and former music teacher, Dawn is gifted with multiple instruments. It is with the organ, though, that her gifts and long years of dedicated effort really shine.

  • DOUG WANAMAKER

    WORSHIP MINISTRY ASSISTANT


    If you give Doug a keyboard, somehow he makes it sing. We are still not sure how that happens, but  we are truly grateful that the Lord led him to FBC!