Vicki Adams Assimilation Coordinator
Email: vadams@fbconcord.org
Bio
Vicki is a daughter, wife, mom, cat owner and cancer survivor.
She loves to travel – especially internationally – read almost anything and try new recipes. Her guilty pleasure is playing computer games! Vicki lives with her husband, Ray, mother-in-law, Betty and two cats, Strider and Oboe. She has two grown daughters who live out of state that she doesn't get to see often enough.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice!” ~Philippians 4:4
Contact
Julie Arnold CCS Registrar & Administrative Assistant to Elementary Principal
Email: jarnold@fbconcord.org
Bio
Julie holds a law degree from the University of Tennessee, and her undergraduate degree includes a double major in political science and speech & theater. Her husband Steve is an independent financial planner and works part-time as a teacher for Concord Christian School High School. Their three kids—Leslie (10th grade), Josh (8th grade), and Hope (4th grade)—attend CCS, and Julie is happy that she gets to see them on campus throughout the day! She loves serving and being around the staff and members at FBC because they are sweet, fun, Godly people.
Julie has been part of Precepts Bible Studies for 10 years. Her other interests include music: flute, piccolo, and she has recently taken up penny whistles! She also loves acting and helps out occasionally in the 4Kids Theater on Sunday mornings, and in the ConcordQuest production each year.
One of Julie’s greatest passions is the Concord Performing Arts Academy, which provides music, dance, and drama lessons in a Christian atmosphere. Julie and her husband Steve serve as the directors of CPAA.
Contact
John Avant Senior Pastor
Email: javant@fbconcord.org
Bio
Dr. John Avant, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Concord, is committed to communicating God’s Word so that others may experience how to live REAL life in Christ in today’s culture. His heart is to equip the church to lead out in seven spheres of influence: education; business, science and technology; media and communication; entertainment, arts and recreation; lonely and disadvantaged; government; and family.
John was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but grew up in the mountains of North Carolina. He became a follower of Christ at the age of 16. He earned his undergraduate degree from Baylor University and earned his M.Div. and Ph.D. from Southwestern Seminary. It was while he was earning his Ph.D. at Southwestern that he learned about spiritual awakening and revival. He has a deep love and compassion for people and believes that the only hope for our nation is to experience a mighty movement of God.
John and his wife, Donna, fell in love on the campus of Baylor University and married in 1980. They have three adult children and three grandchildren. Christi is married to Matt Watson and they reside in Knoxville with their son, William. Amy is married to Joseph Daniel and they also reside in Knoxville with their daughters, Addy and Aubrey. Their son, Trey is married to Brooke Procell and they reside in Houston, Texas.
John has pastored churches in Texas, Georgia and Louisiana. He was also the Vice President of Evangelism and Spiritual Awakening at the North American Mission Board. He and Donna moved to Knoxville, Tennessee in 2013 to join the family at First Concord. John has authored four books: The Passion Promise, Authentic Power, If God Were Real and most recently he co-authored Revival Revived.
On his day off you might find him hiking the mountain with Donna, scuba diving or playing golf. At night you will always find him with a book in his hand and a diet Mountain Dew next to his chair.
Contact
Amy Barnett Campus Operations Manager
Email: amybarnett@fbconcord.org
Bio
Amy enjoys getting to work with all of the various ministries of the church. She and her husband Mike have twins, and their favorite pet is their pug, Pugslee.
Amy has lived in Knoxville all her life and is a graduate of Halls High School. She also attended Cumberland College. In her spare time she enjoys reading, photography, and cooking.
Contact
Bill Bayless Sports Outreach Assistant
Email: bbayless@fbconcord.org
Bio
After retiring from TVA with 35 years of service, Bill joined the staff at Concord as a part-time Sports Coordinator in July 2013. Bill and his wife Maleah have been married 38 years; they have two children, Jonathan (34) and Bethany (33); three grandchildren, Tala (9), Walker (7) and Frances (4). The Bayless family joined Concord in April 1987.
Bill participates in the Senior Olympics in 3-on-3 basketball and still enjoys playing some pickup ball. He enjoys being involved with children and adults through sports. You may often see Bill in a striped (referee) shirt or at least in gym shorts. Bill is also an MMA/UFC fan (but not a practitioner), and has taught adult Sunday School for 20+ years.
Contact
Malinda Burnette Administrative Assistant to Director of Business Operations
Email: mburnette@fbconcord.org
Bio
Malinda and her husband Sam enjoy their family. They have two sons, two daughter-in-laws, five grandsons and two granddaughters.
Contact
Charles Burris Campus Operations Coordinator
Email: cburris@fbconcord.org
Bio
Charles has been on staff at FBC since 2008. He attended Farragut High School but graduated from Bradley Central High in Cleveland, TN. After continuing his education and professional career in Cleveland, he moved back to Knoxville and joined FBC in 2005.
Charles and his wife, Denise, have four children (Sommer, Chasity, Morgan, and Chris). He enjoys spending time with family, especially at the beach. He feels very honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve Christ at FBC, and he looks forward to seeing all the amazing things God has in store for the Church and himself.
