Church Staff

Wallace Smith,  Pastor

Daphne Braswell, Associate Pastor

daphne@opfbc.org
daphne
Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray.” This has been evident in the life of Reverend Daphne Braswell, a native of Kansas City, Kansas. She is the oldest of two children born to the loving parents of James and Thelma Braswell.  At an early age, she began building a strong Christian foundation in the word of God. Rev. Braswell graduated in 1988 from Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kansas. She received her Bachelors in Business Management from Pittsburg State University in 1992.  In 1999, she completed her degree requirements for a Masters of Human Resources Management at Keller Graduate School of Management in Kansas City, Missouri.    Rev. Braswell was an active member at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas, where the Rev. C.L. Bachus serves as Pastor. She served as President of the Senior Usher Board for over 15 years and was an adult Sunday School teacher for 6 years. She is currently a member of First Baptist Church in Overland Park, Kansas, where she serves as Associate Pastor.

Rev. Braswell currently works at Cerner Corporation as an Associate Relations Partner. She received her Masters of Divinity degree from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in 2014 and was awarded the C.R. McBride and Katherine Willard Eddy Award for Excellence in Ministry.  She also serves on the Board of Directors as the General Secretary at Bethel Neighborhood Center in Kansas City, Kansas.  On May 31, 2015, Rev. Braswell was ordained to Christian Ministry by the American Baptist Churches, USA.  She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Rev. Braswell currently resides in Shawnee, Kansas. Her many hobbies include shopping, reading, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

 

Valerie Taylor, Church Administrator

office@opfbc.org

 

Becky McDonnell, Organist

becky@opfbc.org

Rebecca (Becky) McDonnell is celebrating her 50th year in music ministry.  She graduated “with distinction” from University of Missouri – Kansas City with a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance.  She studied organ with Bethel Knoche, who was the first Principal Organist at the Community of Christ Auditorium in Independence, MO, and was in charge of the mammoth Aeolian Skinner pipe organ which dominates the 5800 seat Conference Chamber.  Becky has been on staff at FBC  since July, 2001.  She is married  to Tom McDonnell and has four children and ten grandchildren.

 

Alex Velasquez Jr., Worship Song Leader

alex@opfbc.org

Alex began playing the piano at age 8 and has since then had the desire to learn more about music and other instruments. By the age of 18 he had gained experience on the guitar, bass, saxophone, and tuba. After high school, he attended Johnson County Community College where we he as a member of two choirs and has had experience conducting the school’s Chamber choir. He currently studies at the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory of Music where he plans to get a Bachelor of Instrumental and Vocal Music Education.  He has served as Worship Song Leader at FBC since May 2013.

 

Shinwon Park, Custodian