Meet Our Pastor - Dr. Steve Joiner

Pastor Steve grew up in Jal, New Mexico. At the age of 16, God called Him into the Gospel Ministry. In 1973, Steve married his childhood sweetheart, Betty, who has been his co-partner in the ministry ever since.

Pastor Steve came to First Baptist Church of Buffalo Gap in 1988 as bi-vocational minister. At the same time he was working for West Texas Utilities (WTU) as Director of Risk Management, Insurance and Safety.

Since coming to First Baptist Church, Pastor Steve has been active with the Abilene Baptist Association having served as Director of Evangelism for numerous years. Pastor Steve also organized the South Taylor County Crusade in 2001. In the past 10 years he has been named Pastor of the Year two times and our church has been named Church of The Year, two times by the Abilene Baptist Association.

Steve and Betty have two children, David and MaryBeth and are the proud grandparents of one year old granddaughters Brynne and new born, Sadie Jean.

Steve and Betty have traveled on mission trips to Bangalore, India, where Betty worked at the Southern Baptist Hospital and Pastor Steve held crusades throughout India. He has also held crusades in Taiwan. Steve has also led our church to begin mission work in Bangalore, India; Mescalero Baptist Mission in New Mexico and Crossway Baptist Mission in Abilene, Texas.

Pastor Steve’s education included:

Doctor of Ministry - Christian Bible College and Seminary
Master of Religious Education – Luther Rice Seminary
Master of Education – Abilene Christian University
Executive Management School – Texas A&M University
Bachelor of Science in Education – Hardin-Simmons University
New Mexico Academy of Science Award - New Mexico Tech

Pastor Steve is ready to be your pastor, to welcome you into our church family and to help you grow in your walk with the Lord. If you would like to talk with Pastor Steve or arrange for him to visit you please click here or call the church office at (325) 572-3449