Church Staff

Sam Bunnell is a native of Fort Worth, TX, and spent his childhood in Central Texas, Oklahoma, and Southern California. He is a second-generation ordained Baptist minister and placed his own faith in Jesus as a child. He met his wife Holly, who also grew up in a Baptist minister’s family, at West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster, CA, where Sam earned his bachelor’s degree, and Holly earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. They were married in 2012, and Sam and Holly began their ministry together as on-field missionaries in Central America in both San Jose, Costa Rica, and Panama City, Panama. After their first son was born, the Bunnells moved to northern Nevada, where Sam served on the pastoral staff of Calvary Baptist Church in Elko, NV, and later South Reno Baptist Church in Reno, NV. He also spent time as the Next Gen Director for the Nevada Baptist Convention, aiding churches across the state in more effectively reaching the youth and young adults in their communities. God eventually led the Bunnells back to Texas, where, after spending time as Director of Partnerships at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Sam answered the call to become the lead pastor of First Baptist Henrietta in May of 2023. Sam holds a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Sam and Holly have two sons, Austin and Beau, and an Irish wolf-a-doodle named Finley.

Originally from Southlake, TX, Sarah moved to Clay County in 2017 and joined the FBC staff team in 2022.  As Children’s Minister, she serves children (birth-5^th grade) and their families by providing safe and Christ-centered programs and events. After studying at Baylor University, Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Women’s University in Denton, TX. She also holds 100+ hours of continuing education through the Early Childhood Christian Network. She taught Bible-based preschool for ten years and was a leader and Children’s Supervisor for Bible Study Fellowship for three years, where she fell in love with teaching the Bible to children. Sarah and her husband Michael now live on a ranch in southern Clay County and raise sheep, cattle, and two awesome kids, Samantha and Cooper. Most importantly, she finds her peace and hope in her Savior, who overcame her sin.