Meet the Staff

Jim Paslay

Thomas Nelson

Matt Neighbors

Senior Pastor
Church Administrator/Financial Secretary
Music Minister
Bro. Jim has been Senior Pastor since December, 2012.  He grew up in Skiatook and attended NEO A&M at Miami, OK. Jim received his bachelor’s degree from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO in 1982 and a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1986.
Jim and his wife, Lorie, have been married since January of 1981. He has pastored churches in Martha, Maysville, and Henryetta. Jim and Lorie have three grown daughters, Erin, Emily with husband Kreg, and Courtney. They are blessed with granddaughters Kinlee, Kira, Rylee, and grandson Asher. Jim enjoys anything OU, and he also enjoys reading and playing golf.
Thomas and his family joined Grove's First Baptist Church in March 2007. Thomas came on staff in June of 2007 as Children's Minister. Thomas transitioned to Youth Minister in 2012 and now serves as Church Administrator and Financial Secretary. Thomas and his wife, Crissy, have been married since 1990. They have two grown daughters, Alix and Chace.
Matt has been our Music Minister in 2017. He was raised in a musical Christian home and gave his life to the Lord at the age of 12. He and his wife Darla have 2 sons and 6 usually perfect grand children. Matt has an instrumental music degree from Southeastern and sings with the Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma.


Brooks Stotts

Amanda Wilson

Youth Minister
Children's Minister
Brooks joined Grove’s First Baptist Church, in May of 2023, as our Student and Outreach Pastor. He grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Blue Springs, Missouri. Brooks received his bachelor’s degree in 2014, from Southwest Baptist University in Boliver, Missouri. He went on to receive his Master of Theological Studies in 2018, from Midwestern Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri.
Brooks and Sarah have been married since April 2019 and have two dogs, Patch and Jack. Brooks has previously been a Student Pastor and Lead Pastor, amongst other roles involved in young adult areas of ministry.
Brooks is the son of a pastor and a former school principal, Randall and Donna Stotts. His sister has returned to the USA after 10 plus years of ministering in Cape Town, South Africa.
In his spare time, Brooks enjoys “date night” with his wife and dogs. He also enjoys all things sports related, playing board games, and spending time in our local schools, as much as possible, to build relationships with students.
Amanda joined Grove’s First Baptist Church in December of 2024, as our Children’s Minister. Amanda grew up in Springtown, Texas (west of Ft. Worth). She received her bachelor’s degree in 2003 from Oklahoma Baptist University in Cross-Cultural Communication. She then received an Mdiv in International Church Planting from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Amanda’s ministry to the Lord has taken her around the world and back, from an IMB Missionary in Southeast Asia to being a Children’s Minister in Calhoun, LA and Bartlesville, Ok. She also has a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Amanda enjoys watching TV, hanging out with friends and cross-stitch. 

Terri Hillis

Secretary
Terri moved to Grove in 1997 and made Grove’s First Baptist her church home. Terri joined the staff in 2009. Terri enjoys working in our Children’s Ministry especially with the 2 & 3 year olds. Terri has one daughter, Stephanie.