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Downtown Staff

Cliff Lea, Senior Pastor

Cliff Lea

Senior Pastor

Cliff is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Leesburg and has served since 2007. He is a graduate of Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas and has authored several books including A Selfless Marriage and Trusting God No Matter What. He and his wife Suzy have five sons, four beloved daughters-in-law, and two grandchildren (Jack and Lacey Kate). He is passionate about God’s Word, time with his family, international missions, and on a lesser note…the Dallas Cowboys, the Dallas Mavericks, and barbecue.
Cliff Lea, Senior Pastor

Tony Hoffman

Executive Pastor of Ministry

Tony serves as the Executive Pastor of Ministry and came to First Baptist from the Florida Baptist Convention, where he served first as a Sunday School and Discipleship Consultant, then as the State Sunday School and Discipleship Director. His passion is to help God’s people find joy in discovering and fulfilling their purpose in Christ. He also teaches Theology and Christian Ministry as an adjunct professor and has developed several Christian education resources. Tony and His wife Teresa have 5 Children: Luke, Jonathan, Emma, Annie, and Hadley.
Art Ayris, Executive Pastor

Art Ayris

Executive Pastor of Administration

Art serves as the Executive Pastor where he oversees ministry development, long range planning, legal, risk management, financial operations and serves as a trustee for the church. He and his wife, Kelly have two grown sons.
Stephen Wolgamott, Worship Pastor

Stephen Wolgamott

Worship Pastor

Stephen has led the music ministry for FBC since 2008. He is a graduate of The Baptist College of Florida with a degree in Church Music and has a Master’s degree in Religion from Liberty University. He and his wife Jennifer have four children.
Steve Rippy, Discipleship Pastor

Steve Rippy

Discipleship Pastor

Steve leads the discipleship, First Impressions and Median Singles (ages 26-54) of the church and has served in church ministry since 2000. He is a graduate of Liberty University with a degree in Religion. Steve and his wife Katie have four children and have served in churches in Florida, Maine, Texas, and Mississippi.
Bill Jones, Missions Pastor

Bill JOnes

Missions Pastor

Bill is the Executive Director of both the Christian Care Center (comprised of 7 different ministries) as well as the Community Medical Care Center (our medical partnership with Leesburg Regional Medical Center). His goal is to inspire and support his staff and volunteers to be fully engaged in their mission of Meeting Needs and Sharing Christ. He is a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Civil Engineering and has a Master’s Degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife Mandy have 3 daughters. 
Jamie Weathers, Families & Young Adults Pastor

Garrett Haywood

Student Pastor

Garrett is married to Hannah. They are proud parents of Mae Lynne and Piper Elizabeth. Garrett holds a B.A., M.B.A., and M.Div. from Palm Beach Atlantic University. He holds a D.Min. in Christian Leadership from Liberty University. As Student Pastor, Garrett oversees ministry to middle school, high school, and college students. The Student Ministry of First Leesburg is committed to building Christian leaders by helping students understand and obey God’s Word.
Jamie Weathers, Families & Young Adults Pastor

Dathan Hale

Children's Pastor

Dathan serves as our Children's Pastor, overseeing 1st through 5th grade. Dathan has a Masters in Children's Ministry from Liberty Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Sarah Beth, have three children: Hallie, Addison, and Charlie. Dathan and his family love to camp and all things Tennessee Vols! 
Jamie Weathers, Families & Young Adults Pastor

Suzanne Garner

First Connections

Suzanne was born and raised in Leesburg and is a life-long member of First Baptist Leesburg. She graduated from William Carey College with BS degree in Sociology and minor in Child Development/Home Economics. She has been on staff since 1980. Suzanne serves as director of our First Connections Ministry/Outreach and oversees weekly childcare for First Academy Preschool, and administrates all preschool activities of the church. She and her husband, Reggie, a Lake County builder, and Garner Estate Sales, have 4 children, 3 sons-in-law, and 9 grandchildren.