Ministry Team
Rev. Dr. Wallace Smith
Rev. Dr. Wallace Smith is our senior pastor. In 2018 two churches began a creative process, exploring how to share in cooperative fellowship, which ultimately led to a merging of the two congregations and a new beginning. The historic First Baptist, which began in 1914, and Journey Community, a new church plant in 2008, were officially merged as one renewed faith community in December of 2019.
Wallace has previously served with Journey Community in Shawnee/Overland Park; the First Baptist Church of Indianapolis, Indiana; Trinity Baptist Church, Chicago, Illinois; and First Baptist Church of Ottawa, Kansas. In addition to church ministry, he has served in various capacities with ABC-USA, ABHMS, Green Lake (Wisconsin) Conference Center, and is a published author with Judson Press.
Wallace has two amazing, brilliant, strong, independent daughters: Hanna and Hollyn. And they named the dog Indiana. He counts two places where he grew up as his hometowns: Winfield, Kansas, and Brighton, Colorado.
Rev. Daphne Braswell
Rev. Daphne Braswell currently serves as our Associate Pastor. She is a native of Kansas City, Kansas. She received her Bachelor’s in Business Management from Pittsburg State University and her Master of Human Resources Management from Keller Graduate School of Management. Daphne received her Master of Divinity from Central Baptist Theological Seminary and was awarded the C.R. McBride and Katherine Willard Eddy Award for Excellence in Ministry. On May 31, 2015, Daphne was ordained to Christian Ministry by the American Baptist Churches, USA.
Daphne currently works at Spectrum Corporation as a Manager, Human Resources. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Her many hobbies include shopping, reading, traveling and spending time with family and friends. Rev. Daphne's life motto is Matthew 20:28 "Just as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve."
Rev. William Brewer
Rev. William Brewer is our Pastor of Worship and Community. He is a vision-driven, transformational leader, disciple, preacher, educator and musician with an unwavering love for God and a heart for people. Born and raised in Landover, Maryland, Rev. Brewer’s ministry career spans over 20 years and includes leading multicultural and multi generational congregations and community music ensembles. He completed his doctoral coursework from Ashland Theological Seminary and holds a Master of Music degree in Music Teaching from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and a Master of Divinity degree with a specialization in Liturgical Arts from Methodist Theological School in Ohio, from which he graduated with the Fellowship Seminarian Award and the Servant Leader Award. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, with a minor in Religion, from Oberlin College. He is currently completing his Educational Specialist degree in Educational Administration.
William currently is the Vocal Music Teacher and Director of Choral Activities at F.L. Schlagle High School in Kansas City, Kansas, Adjunct Faculty with the Kansas City Kansas Community College, and The Assistant Director of the Greater Cleveland PanHellenic Choir in Cleveland, Ohio. He is an ordained minister with the American Baptist Church, USA and holds memberships with the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Educators, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. Rev. Brewer is married to the Rev. Patrice Brewer, and together they are the proud parents of their three children, Phaedra, Melodie, and William Kyrie. In his spare time, he enjoys watching mysteries and British comedies, attending concerts, traveling, and playing golf.
Alex Velasquez Jr.
Alex Velasquez has served as a worship leader and musician at FBC since May 2013. He now serves as the Sanctuary director and on the worship team. 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 gained experience on the guitar, bass, saxophone, and tuba. After graduating from Shawnee Mission North High school in 2009, he attended Johnson County Community College where we he was a member of two choirs and had the privilege of conducting the school’s Chamber choir. He then studied at The University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory of Music where he graduated in 2017 with a degree in Instrumental and Vocal Music Education. In 2017 he married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Diemer and they welcomed their first child, Aria Rose into their lives in March of 2020. Alex's hobbies outside the church include spending time with his family, board gaming, and going to fan conventions.
Rev. Shinwon Park
Rev. Shinwon Park was born in 1982 in Suwon, Republic of Korea (South Korea). He is the husband of Christina and the proud father of Sion and Grant. At the age of 17, he felt the calling to serve God and began volunteering as a Children’s Sunday School Assistant. Shinwon attended Yonsei University for his college degree in Theology, graduating in 2005. He then took two years to serve in ROK army. Upon his arrival in the United States in 2010, he began his graduate work at Nazarene Theological Seminary and Central Baptist Theological Seminary, serving as Youth Pastor at Kansas New Vision Church of the Nazarene for 3 years. He graduated from Central Baptist Theological Seminary with Master of Divinity in 2016 and was ordained by American Baptist Church, USA in 2017. He served as the Head of Education at First Baptist Church of Overland Park for 3 years and is now the Children & Youth Pastor. Pastor Shinwon believes the greatest command from God is “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” (Gen 9:1) and that God’s ministry is not limited to church activities.
Ministry Council
Twyla Boyer, Moderator
Shirley Angell, Deacon Chair
Daphne Braswell, Church Clerk
Scott Fast, Treasurer
Stacy Shultz, Community and Connection
William Brewer, Worship and Spiritual Formation
Bob Southard and Liz Song, Mission and Outreach
Tom McDonnell, Property Management