Derrick West email
Senior Pastor
Born the second son of William and Helen West, Derrick's life began in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1974. His spiritual life began when Christ saved him from the penalty of his sin at an Evangelism Conference at Furman University in December of 1990. Soon after this experience, Christ, the Great Shepherd, called an imperfect person like me to shepherd His flock. Derrick graduated from Toccoa Falls College, holds two master's degrees from New Orleans Seminary, has finished his seminar work for his PHD and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching at Temple Theological Seminary. He has served churches in Louisiana, Georgia and Florida.
"While I do enjoy my academic work in the academy, my greatest passions in ministry are teaching the Scriptures by proclaiming them within the context of a local church and building relationships with ordinary people like me so that my proclamation can be effective. In other words, I am passionate about declaring His Word and displaying His Love to His people."
Pastor Derrick is married to Dawn and together they have two very active children, Miller and Samantha.
Rev. Lance Fancher email
Minister of Education and Administration
Lance joined our staff in June of 2004. God has called him to an area of service that will utilize the educational, administrative and leadership skills with which Christ has gifted him. Lance says, “It’s a joy to watch people ‘get it’. That’s when the light bulb goes off concerning serving in the church. As a minister, you watch people search and work and try to find out who they are and all of a sudden it hits them. They realize God has made them special and unique and they can do anything He calls them to do. They just have to DO IT!”
Lance is a graduate of Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. He has served churches in Texas and Georgia. Lance and his wife, Sherrie, have a son, Barron, who is in the US Coast Guard in Kingsbay, GA.
Rev. Michael L. Carter email
Minister of Music and Worship
When Michael joined the staff in September, 1996, he assumed responsibility for the Church's total music program. This comprehensive program has choirs for children, youth and adults, as well as a hand-bell choir. FBC choir sponsors community musical programs including an annual presentation of Handel's Messiah, which was first performed in 1970. Michael earned Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music (Voice) degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi. Prior to coming to Vero Beach, he served at churches in Mississippi and Missouri and was Choral Director and teacher of voice, music appreciation and conducting at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Natchez Campus. He is the musical director and founder of the Treasure Coast Chorale. Michael is married to Patti, who is the Director of Weekday Preschool at First Baptist Church. They have two children, Meghan and Nicholas.
Tracy Claytor email
Student & Family Ministries
Is the newest member of the FBC family as he started June 2010. Tracy currently holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies from Toccoa Falls Bible College and is currently working toward a Masters of Divinity degree from Southern Seminary. Tracy states, “ I really look forward to seeing the Kingdom of God continue to grow through the work at First Baptist. We live in a special time that God has appointed to us to reach the world for Christ and it starts in Vero”. Tracy has a passionate heart to see families mature in the knowledge and love of Christ and for missions, home and abroad. Tracy has participated in mission trips in the states of South and North Dakota, New York, Louisiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Georgia. He also has traveled to the foreign countries of Jamaica, Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador, Bangladesh, and Zambia. Tracy is married to Tatyana Claytor who is an educator and recently accepted a position at IRSC as a professor. They have three children Ethan, Katelyn, and Adilyn.
Patti Carter email
Preschool Director
Patti was born and reared in St. Louis, MO along with four sisters and one brother. It was there she learned to love music and baseball (Go Cardinals!). She attended the University of Southern Mississippi where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Music Education and met her future husband, Michael Carter. They were married n 1977 and have two amazing children.
Patti has worked with preschool aged children for 28 years both in the classroom and in an administrative capacity. She became Director of First Baptist Church Preschool in July 1997 shortly after moving to Indian River County. She has a Child Development Associates Degree and Director's Credentials from Indian River State College.
"There is never a dull moment when you work with children. It's a new experience every day! When I'm with them I feel young and alive. Children can make me laugh and smile when no one else can!"
Nick Carter email
Student Ministries Associate
Jill Truax email
Music Ministry Associate
Support Staff
