Meet the Staff

Greg came to First Baptist in 1998 as the Senior Pastor. He is a native Ohioan born and raised in Newark. He and his wife Marla have two daughters—Stacy (24) a recent graduate of Ohio State University, and Marissa (21) a student at the University of Cincinnati. Greg’s life calling is to help build significant lives through teaching people how to implement God’s word in every area of their lives. His teaching style is very relaxed and practical.

Greg is a graduate of Bluefield College in Virginia with a degree in psychology; Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas with a Master of Divinity and Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Tennessee with a Doctor of Ministry degree.

In his spare time, Greg loves to play golf and ride on his motorcycle with his wife Marla. Greg’s least favorite thing to do? Working in the yard. Some things you may not know. Greg’s favorite series of movies is Rocky, his favorite food is pizza and he has a dog named Ozzie.

Wave was born in Henderson, Kentucky, but has been serving full-time in churches since 1975 and in Ohio churches specifically since 1981. He attended Murray State University where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Music Education. Later, while serving a church in Dayton, Ohio, he earned his Master’s of Science in Mental Health Counseling at Wright State University. While serving here at First Baptist Church, Groveport, he has earned his Doctorate of Worship Studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute of Worship Studies. Presently, he is taking a hiatus from school – of which his wife is eternally grateful.

Wave met his wife, Nancy, in high school during their senior year. She is presently working for OhioHealth as an Executive Assistant to the Vice-President of System Development. She plays flute in the worship band, sings alto in the worship choir, helps with the children’s choir and loves to play 2-piano duets with her husband (which delights him tremendously). She and Wave have two sons, Mason and Alex, and five grandchildren – Breanna, Austin, Cassidy, Zachary, and Da’Nario.

Wave enjoys volunteering as the pianist for the Groveport Madison High School Choral Department, as well as being the rehearsal accompanist for the Drama Department’s annual spring musical. His stress releaser is directing the Columbus Guitar Society’s classical guitar ensemble, which consists of approximately 18 players from the Metro Columbus area.

Wife to David Warton, mother of two and director of Kids Klub Child Care at First Baptist Church.

Early in 1980, the Lord gave her a passion for working with children. She served in three churches where her husband pastored teaching children in Sunday School, mission groups, children’s worship and camp. After the birth of her second child, she began attending Ohio State University and Southern Seminary studying Child Development and Religious Education.

Rae Ann has served as a teacher and director of Child Care Centers in several churches. The Kids Klub Child Care center at FBC opened in June 2004, serves an average of 120 children with 25 staff members. Rae Ann understands the importance of teaching every child about their Heavenly Father’s love and compassion, His desire for everyone to know Him personally and the blessings of serving Him from an early age.