Dr. Gerald Edwards was saved and baptized at North Orange Baptist Church in 1955. He graduated from Orange High School in 1961, where he served as the starting quarterback for the football team. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Lamar University in 1967 and subsequently received his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1970. In 1985, he attained a Doctor of Ministry degree in Missiology and Church Growth from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Married to Jane in 1964, they have two children: Dr. Todd Edwards, M.D., of Baylor Hospital in Dallas, and Joannah Hill.
Dr. Edwards’s professional journey includes serving as a pastor from 1968 to 1982, followed by roles such as Director of Church Extension for the Gulf Stream Baptist Association in Florida from 1982 to 1985, and regional field consultant for the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) in West Texas from 1985 to 1992 and East Texas from 1992 to 2000. Since 2000, he has been the Director of Missions for the East Texas Baptist Area.
Throughout his career, he has authored numerous articles focused on church planting and growth.
John Nathan McGuire was born on May 21, 1951, to C.T. “Pete” and Betty McGuire in Henderson, Texas. Growing up in a pastor’s home, he came under the influence of the gospel at an early age and became a Christian in 1956. He graduated from Putnam City High School in Oklahoma City in 1969.
In 1972, John married Susan Kissick in Oklahoma City. He felt called to preach at age 26 and went on to graduate from Tennessee Temple University in 1980. He also studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
John pastored churches in East Texas for 32 years. He spent 21 of those years at First Baptist Church of Garrison before becoming a Field Representative for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. He has also served as an interim pastor in eight churches.
John and Susan have two children, Aaron and Anne Marie, and four grandchildren: Poppy Ogle, Princeton Ogle, Reagan June McGuire, and Clara Rose McGuire. They live in Nacogdoches, Texas, where Susan recently retired as a Special Education Lifeskills teacher.
Susan Stone has been serving as the Ministry Assistant for ETBA since July 2017. She and her husband, Pastor Ken Stone, have been serving at First Baptist Church in Clayton, Texas, since 1984. The couple married in 1976 and are blessed with five adult children and ten grandchildren. Susan is a talented musician and songwriter, with a passion for working with children and youth. She is enthusiastic about helping others discover the Blessed Life and is dedicated to supporting her community through her ministry.
Melanie Tipps has been serving as the Ministry Assistant for the East Texas Baptist Area since November 5, 2014. She is married to Toby Tipps, who is the pastor of New Oakland Church in Henderson. Together, they have five children. Melanie and two of her daughters have spent several years involved in music evangelism, and she continues to be a sought-after soloist.
