OUR STAFF
Lance Cole
Pastor
Pastor Lance originally served as an Associate Pastor at First Baptist from 2009 to 2016 before becoming the Senior Pastor at Ruffin Stacey Baptist Church where he served for over six years. He returned to FBC in March of 2023 as our Senior Pastor.
Lance is a 2006 graduate of Elon University with a degree in Business Administration. He has also earned a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry from the Liberty University School of Divinity, and a PhD from Johnson University in Knoxville, TN.
In addition to ministering at First Baptist, Dr. Cole occasionally serves as an adjunct faculty member for colleges in the fields of religion and philosophy, most recently at Averett University in nearby Danville, VA.
He affirms several statements of faith, including the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, the Danvers Statement on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, The Nashville Statement on Sexuality and Gender, and the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy.
Lance has been married to his wife Stefanie since 2006 and they have three sons, Sawyer, Carter, and Asher. Teaching and participating in mission activities with the church are what he enjoys most about serving at First Baptist.
Ryan Harden
Associate Pastor
Ryan joined our staff in 2016, and now currently serves as the Associate Pastor. Ryan grew up in Reidsville, NC, and has a heart for the city and its people. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has a Master’s Degree in Religion from Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary.
Ryan was a high school educator for 14 years before joining our staff and is passionate about reaching children and youth with the Gospel and seeing them grow in their relationship with Christ. He is married to Sarah and they have three children, Matthew, Samuel, and Hannah. He enjoys the outdoors – especially camping with his family and playing disc golf with friends.
Elaine Smith
Music Director
Dr. Elaine K. Smith has been the music director at First Baptist Church Reidsville since 2021. She is also the choir teacher at Rockingham County Middle School. Dr. Smith received her bachelors, masters, and doctorate in music education from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In her free time, Dr. Smith likes to travel, play pickleball, and spend time with her goldendoodle Nacho.
Vanessa Lee
Office Manager
Vanessa started at First Baptist in November of 2003. As Administrative Assistant she is blessed to serve with the staff and members of First Baptist.
Vanessa also volunteers at Rolling Ridge Riding Academy, which provides horseback therapy for physically, mentally, and emotionally challenged children. Vanessa is a native of Rockingham County.
CONTACT US
We would love to answer any questions you have. Please send us a message and one of our staff will respond as soon as possible.