LEADERSHIP TEAM

ROBERT FORREST

LEAD PASTOR

Robert has been married to Michele, his college sweetheart since 2003 and they have two kids – Cade and Makenna. Prior to joining the O’Quinn staff in July 2017, Robert was the Associate Pastor at FBC Hewitt for four years and a healthcare IT marketing manager for 10 years.

Robert has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, a Master of Business Administration from Tarleton State University and a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In addition to his business skills, Robert’s greatest passion is preaching the Word of God and witnessing the life transformation that happens as people become fully mature followers of Christ.

Robert’s life verse is Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

JOHN CURRY

ASSOCIATE PASTOR,

MISSIONS & OUTREACH

John has been married to his wonderful wife, Paula, since August 6, 1988. They have three daughters, Ashley, Lauren, and Allison, who are all followers of Christ and actively involved in church.

John has been involved in ministry for approximately 20 years, working with and leading the student ministry at O’Quinn for the last fifteen years.

During that time, John has demonstrated a heart for missions. In 2023, God opened a door of opportunity to follow Him as He leads our church to the mission fields. God has given John a goal of taking our church from being a mission minded church to a mission doing church!

John’s desire is to follow as He leads and may the results be evident as we carry out The Great Commission!

Matthew 28:18-20

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

MIKE THIGPEN

MUSIC MINISTER

Mike has served as the Music Minister at O’Quinn since 2014. He is very active in community organizations and local charities. He is a retired State employee, where he assisted in providing services to adults and children with special needs for 33 years.

He and his wife Cynthia have been married for 22 years and have five children and nine grandchildren. His hobbies include hunting, fishing and outdoor activities.

Mike has the privilege of leading a praise and worship team and band, and believes the music should glorify God. (Psalms 105:2) “Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!”

GREG SANDERS

STUDENT PASTOR

Greg has been married to his amazing wife, Julie, since 2009. They have one daughter, Whitley. He was called into ministry at the age of 18, and was licensed in March of 1997 at Harmony Odell Baptist Church in Huntington, TX. He was ordained in 2009 by Parkview Baptist Church in Lufkin, TX.

Before accepting the position of Student Pastor at O’Quinn, Greg has previously served as Pastor at Salem Baptist Church, Children’s Pastor at Parkview Baptist Church, and Youth Director at Solid Rock Baptist Church. He has also preached in supply at various churches in the Angelina County area. In his secular career, he has worked as a software developer since 2000 in the transportation industry.

He has always had a special place in his heart for seeing teens come to know Christ and to grow in their relationship with Him as Savior. Ecclesiastes 12:1 says “Remember to serve God while you are young. He is the one who made you. Your life will have many troubles in the future…”

Instilling a Biblical foundation in our teens is one of the most important things a church can do so that our teens are prepared for the hard days of adulthood so that they will always stand for Christ.

JULIE SANDERS

CHILDREN’S MINISTER

Julie and her husband, Greg, have been married for 15 years and they have one daughter, Whitley. Julie grew up in a Christian home where church was an important part of her childhood. She was saved at 9 years old during VBS. As she grew up, she was a part of the youth group, youth choir, and youth drama team. Julie served as a Youth Director for several years at Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Huntington, TX where the youth deemed her “Momma J.”

Julie has brought her energetic and upbeat personality to serve as Children’s Minister here at O’Quinn Baptist Church. Allowing children to see and experience the love of the Lord through adults that are willing to serve in Children’s Ministry is extremely important to Julie. “I want children to see and know that having a relationship with the Lord is the most important decision they can make in their life.” Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Julie has a passion to teach young people about Jesus Christ and His amazing gift of salvation.

Julie’s life verse is Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” This verse brings her comfort in knowing that God is always with her and will never leave her.

LESLIE ASHBY

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Leslie and her husband Wayne have been married for 32 years. They have 3 grown children – Alexandra, Hannah, and Tate. Prior to coming to OQBC as Administrative Assistant, Leslie worked in public education for 28 years as a teacher, librarian, Media specialist, and Educational Technology specialist before retiring in June, 2017. She has all sorts of degrees and certifications from Angelina College, Stephen F Austin, and Sam Houston State.

Having grown up in a Christ-centered home, faith is central in Leslie’s life. Her life’s verse is Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge HIM and he will make your paths straight.”