Staff
Cell: 361.920.4151
Bro. Dennis and Mary came to serve in First Baptist Lolita in April 2007, trading in the dry heat of West Texas for the heat and humidity of the Gulf Coast. This is their first full-time ministry position after serving as a bivocational music minister about 15 years and a bivocational pastor for 4 years. They are excited to finally be able to devote all their time to the ministry.
Bro. Dennis served 15 years in the United States Air Force before receiving an Honorable Discharge following major back surgery. Under the VA’s Vocational Rehab Program he went back to school and earned a degree in Mass Communications from Angelo State University. He then spent the next ten years working in broadcast journalism at TV stations in San Angelo, Wichita Falls, Amarillo, and Odessa, Texas before moving to Lolita.
Mary earned her degree from Howard Payne University in 1979. She married Bro. Dennis the day she graduated knowing they would spend the rest of their lives serving our Lord in ministry. They raised two sons, John and David. John and his family live in San Angelo, TX where he works as the manager for AT&T Wireless. David is working toward a degree in Culinary Arts from Odessa College, Odessa, TX.
Gary & Sarah Thedford - Minister of Music
Gary and Sarah began serving as Music and Youth Ministers at First Baptist Church, Lolita in 1972. Before coming to Lolita they served at Baptist Temple in Edna, Parkway Baptist in Corpus Christi, and First Baptist in Seadrift.
Gary and Sarah have both worked in the education field for many years and greatly enjoy working iwth and teaching children. Gary has been in education for 36 years and has served as elementary principal at Industrial for 22 years. Sarah has worked for Industrial for 18 years and is currently serving as the High School registrar.
Gary graduated from the University of Corpus Christi in 1971, majoring in Education with a minor in Music. He then received his Master's degree from UHV. He was ordained as a deacon in February 1974 and ordained to the Gospel Ministry in October 2000.
He married Sarah in January 1971. They raised two children, Krysty and Kayla. Krysty, Chuck, Adrienne, and Braylon live in Springtown, TX. Krysty works as a speech-language pathologist and Chuck is an engineer in the aerospace industry. Kayla, Nathan, and Lexie live in Edna. Kayla is working on her Master's degree in psychology from UHV and Natan is the network manager/technology specialist for Industrial ISD.
Gary and Sarah enjoy spending time with their three grandchildren, fishing and being outdoors.
Dan Brunson - Minister of Youth & Education
Email DanCell: 361.571.7058
Dan and Amy came to serve at First Baptist Church Lolita on May 25, 2008.
This is our first full-time position in the ministry. Dan served as a bivocational Youth Minister at Ceder Creek Baptist for almost 5 years, and had a remodel buisness serving Hill co. Then God opened the door to serve as a full-time Youth Pastor in great little town of Lolita so we are now here ready to serve you.
We are happy to get to raise our three boys in this quiet town.
Thank you
Dan & Amy
Virginia McBride - Secretary
Virgina is the voice on the other end of the phone when you call the church Monday through Friday between 8A.M. and Noon.
She graduated from Calhoun High School, moved to Lolita and joined the First Baptist Family in 1963. Besides serving as our church secretary, Virginia enjoys working out at the YMCA.
FEBRUARY 2012 
Current Conditions:
