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OUR LEADERS

About Church Leadership

JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 5:23). He expects every church to follow His leadership. Thus, at MBBC we sincerely seek the Lord’s will in everything we do. That makes us a theocracy, God ruled, rather than a democracy, autocracy, or oligarchy.

HOLY SPIRIT

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to administrate the affairs of the church. The Holy Spirit guides church decisions. Acts 13:2-4 shows us our example to follow when the Holy Spirit told the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch that Barnabus and Saul were being called to do a work. This is typical of how the Holy Spirit administrates the work of Christ in His church.

...Christ is the head of the church; and he is the saviour of the body.

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, departed...

Meet the Pastoral Staff

 

The Holy Spirit appoints men, called overseers, in the church to guide and instruct the congregation (Acts 20:28). These men are responsible to oversee the work of Christ in the lives of the church members. According to 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9, the office of the pastor is for experienced men, appointed by God, who meet the qualifications described in those verses to serve as Christian role models and disciplers.

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

1 Timothy 3:1–7

DR. WILLIAM BRIAN DISNEY

Senior Pastor

Dr. Brian Disney is the senior pastor of the Mission Blvd. Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Dr. Disney was born in 1936 in Hugo, Oklahoma. He was born again at age 14 and rededicated his life to Christ in 1967 at Rodgers Baptist Church in Garland, Texas. 

In 1955, while serving in the U.S. Navy, Brian was credited for having discovered a method to electromagnetically detect and track underwater craft. After his time in the Navy, Brian attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering. He was inducted as a member into the National Engineering Honor Society, the National Electrical and Computer Engineering Honor Society, and the National Mathematics Honor Society. Later, he was awarded an Educational Doctorate degree from Great Plains Baptist Divinity School.

In 1961, Brian married Martha Simpson, and the following year he joined the Dupont Company as a research engineer. While working at Dupont, Dr. Disney discovered the Spark Gap Method for producing High Intensity Regions of Positive Ions, developed a method to explain Electro-Static Behavior in Dialectics using Solid State Theory, and invented the first Catadioptric Infrared Microscope. In 1965, he became Corporate Director of Standards at Texas Instruments in the Dallas area. During his time at TI, he served on the Mars Mariner team.

In 1970, Brian was ordained by Rodgers Baptist Church and was sent as a missionary to Fayetteville, Arkansas. He returned to the University of Arkansas and received an NDEA Teaching Fellowship in the Electrical Engineering Department. He began a campus outreach ministry with students and faculty that eventually led to forming the Rodgers Baptist Mission. In 1975, the mission of sixty-five members was organized into the Mission Boulevard Baptist Church. Brother Brian was chosen by the Lord and the congregation to be the pastor. 

In 1976, plans to start a Christian school were initiated, and the school began in 1978. Today it is known as Fayetteville Christian School (FCS). In addition to his pastoral duties, Bro. Brian has volunteered as an instructor, coach, and mentor in FCS. His interest in Christian radio led him to acquire KOFC in 1987, and he continued operation of the station for several years.

Pat’s life verse is 1 Corinthians 10:31, which says, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Having converted from atheism to Christianity as a college student, Pat has had a passion for Christian apologetics and evangelism. He has served as outreach director for Mission Blvd. Baptist Church and is the current discipleship director.

As a student, Pat earned his Ph.D. in microbiology and specialized in immunology and infectious diseases. His ministry includes reaching academic communities by helping churches start collegiate ministries; founding the Leadership Training Institute of America to host annual world view conferences in Washington, D.C., for aspiring Christian leaders; conducting Creation Insights science seminars; and building an online ministry to reach hundreds of thousands of people with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.

 He married his childhood sweetheart, Colleen, and together they raised a family while serving as missionaries to academic communities and have discipled hundreds of college students. If you want to be discipled or to learn how to defend your faith, or if you just need spiritual counsel for life decisions, contact Pat. His desire is to serve God by serving others and to disciple disciples to disciple more disciples. If this sounds like the life adventure you want, talk to Pat today!

DR. PATRICK BRINEY

First Associate Pastor
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BRAD JONES

Associate Pastor

Brad Jones became a Christian in 1979 at the age of 19. He was ordained as a minister by the Mission Blvd. Baptist Church in 1986. Brad was raised in the suburbs of Seattle, Washington, before being led of the Lord to attend the University of Arkansas in 1978. He became a Christian during his freshman year of college.

In 1982 during his early college years, Brad volunteered at the Fayetteville Christian School (FCS) as a social studies teacher, janitor, and bus driver. After he received his undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas, the Lord called him to full time ministry at the Mission Blvd. Baptist Church, specifically to the ministry at FCS. Brad earned his Master’s degree in Educational Administration in 1986, and he has served as Superintendent of FCS since that time.

Brad considers it a great privilege to be a part of MBBC and specifically of FCS, where he has been surrounded by a volunteer staff for well over thirty years. It is easy to lead those who follow Christ. The constant sacrifice of the staff during the history of FCS has served to motivate him to remain faithful to this ministry. Brad’s three grown children graduated from FCS. His wife, Michelle, has volunteered as the “lunchroom lady” for nearly twenty years.

Ken received Christ as his personal Savior as a senior in high school. He was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by MBBC. He attended the University of Arkansas, and he holds a Doctorate in Education from the Great Plains Baptist Divinity School.

Ken is an Associate Pastor of MBBC, as well as the church’s Educational Director, and the Dean of the Ambassadors Bible Institute. For thirty years he served as principal of the Fayetteville Christian School, where he also currently teaches. Ken’s passion has been to know, serve, and share Christ, and he has been involved in the ministry of Mission Boulevard Baptist Church since its beginning. Ken teaches Bible studies through the week, and each summer he teaches in the Leadership Training Institute of America in Washington, D.C.

Ken and Gina have been married since June 30, 1973. They have four adult children,  seven grandchildren, and one great grandchild. In addition to enjoying time with his family, singing with the Singing Men of Arkansas, and doing home improvements, Ken loves discussing with anyone the Bible and how it applies to all areas of our lives.

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DR. KEN FRANCIS

Associate Pastor
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TOM HARDIN

Associate Pastor​

Tom trusted Christ at seven years of age and surrendered to the ministry at age 18. He has been a member of Mission Blvd. Baptist Church since 1973.  He is known for his simple, direct preaching style, alliterative outlines, and homespun metaphors.

Tom and his wife, Cecilia, have been blessed with four children and six grandchildren.  The Hardins are also a Gold-Star family, having lost their son Ethan to an IED in Afghanistan.

Tom has provided leadership in the campus ministry, in the nursing home ministry, and in the Arkansas National Guard as a Chaplain assistant. As a missionary sponsored by MBBC, he organized the White River Baptist Church in Pettigrew, Arkansas, and the Bethel Independent Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He acted as an advisor to the church’s mission in Anniston, Alabama, and also pastored the Fellowship Baptist Church in Winslow, Arkansas.

Tom serves as an Associate Pastor at MBBC and has received a Bachelor of Theology and a Master of Divinity from Great Plains Baptist University in South Dakota.

Rick Saldivar trusted the Lord Jesus as his Savior in 1968 when he was a student at Sam Houston State University. He received his early training from the Navigators, a Christian organization dedicated to evangelism and discipleship. In 1970 after graduating from Sam Houston State, the Lord led him, along with a team of other men, to start a branch of the Navigators at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

One day while Rick was studying the Bible, he prayed that the Lord would send him someone who could help him understand some difficult passages of Scripture. Moments later, Brian Disney knocked on his door. This answer to his prayer was the beginning of a new journey.

Rick joined Mission Blvd. Baptist Church in 1976 and was ordained to the ministry in 1979. Over the years he has taught numerous Bible studies and has served in the church in many capacities, including as the University of Arkansas campus ministry director, the MBBC discipleship director, Sunday morning family hour leader, junior high youth minister, children’s church director, Fayetteville Christian High School principal and teacher, and AWANAS director. 

Rick and his wife, Mary, have been married since 1974. The Lord has blessed them with three children and seven grandchildren.

Rick loves to study and discuss the Bible. He has a heart for people and is always looking for opportunities to share the gospel of grace with others. These things continue to motivate him in his service to the Lord.

rick-saldivar

RICK SALDIVAR

Associate Pastor​

DEACONS

Another group of ordained men, called deacons, must meet qualifications similar to pastors and be appointed by the Holy Spirit (I Timothy 3:8–13). The work of the deacon, in addition to proclaiming the Word of God (Acts 6:8–15), includes supervising the physical operations of the church (Acts 6:1–6).

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their] wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

I Timothy 3:8–13

MEET THE DEACONS

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DAN BUSH

Deacon

Dan Bush came to accept the Lord as his personal Savior at the age of twelve. Through Mission Boulevard Baptist Church’s ministry Fayetteville Christian School, he began to grow in the knowledge of a Biblical worldview that would shape the future God was laying out for him.

Dan has been married to his high school sweetheart, Lianna, for eighteen years, and together they have four wonderful children.

In 2009, Dan was called to serve MBBC as a deacon where he has been a member for the last sixteen years.

Dan and his wife, Lianna, have served for many years in the Children’s Church as Sunday school teachers. Currently, they serve as Junior High Youth Leaders. They have a special burden for the AWANA teens as well. Dan’s family is involved with After School Bible Club, which reaches out to public school children with the gospel and the love of Christ.

As an owner of several small businesses, Dan feels that sharing the love of Christ, through word and more importantly through deed, is crucial to spreading the gospel to his employees and to the community he serves.

Dan and his family would love for you to join them in the work of Christ, and welcome everyone with open arms.

Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Romans 15:7

Jeff Clardy has attended Mission Blvd. Baptist Church since 7th grade and has been a member since MBBC organized into a church. Jeff accepted the Lord as his personal Savior while in high school — July 15, 1979.

Jeff married the pastor’s daughter, Marietta Disney, in 1981. They have 3 children and 8 grandchildren — all of whom attend church.

Jeff surrendered to the ministry and served as the Youth Director for 13 years. He has served as a deacon since 1986.

Jeff owned and operated Clardy’s Cobbler Shoppe in Fayetteville for over 30 years. With the heart to minister to people and his family, he provided a much needed service by repairing their soles with prayer while pointing them to the true Healer of their souls.

In 2009, Jeff suffered from congestive heart failure and under went quadruple bypass surgery. However, that was unsuccessful, and within two weeks he was given a diagnosis of complete heart failure. After much prayer and consultation, Jeff decided to accept the heart transplant option. Seventy-four days later, he received a new heart from a very wonderful and thoughtful young man and organ donor.

Jeff and Marietta now spend much of their time on the road in their RV ministering to folks waiting on a transplant or counseling recipients, organ donors, caregivers, and families. They also minister to people in the RV parks they visit and have seen a great spiritual need for Christ and for someone to tell them about the soul-saving Savior.

JEFF CLARDY

Deacon
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DENNIS FAGAN

Deacon

Dennis is a native of Branson, Missouri. He married his high school sweetheart Kelley in 1981, the same year that he moved to Mountainburg, Arkansas. Together they ran the Mt. Gayler Tower and Gift Shop for Dennis’s father and began their family. While there, they met Rick Saldivar, a preacher from Mission Boulevard Baptist Church. Rick invited them many times to visit MBBC, and finally Dennis and his family attended services in January of 1996. One month later in February, Dennis accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and joined MBBC.

Dennis and his family moved to Fayetteville in 1999. They lived in and managed the church’s Campus Center at the University of Arkansas. Dennis and Kelley with their three children, Ryan, Colleen, and Kevin, lived in the Campus Center for sixteen years until the church sold the property in 2015. Dennis also assisted in the Campus Ministry for about ten years.

Since 2009, Dennis has been an ordained deacon of MBBC. In addition to this responsibility, he is a Ministry Team leader, a leader in Reformers Unanimous, and a member of the Fayetteville Christian School school board. He and Kelley also manage the Resource Room in the church. They print and bind study materials and stock the Resource Room, making Bible studies available for anyone who needs them. Dennis has also participated in the House of Destiny for several years.

Some of Dennis’s most valuable contributions to the ministry at MBBC have come in the form of carpentry. He offers up his carpentry skills whenever the need arises at the church. He is currently on the planning committee for updating and improving the physical property of MBBC.

Dennis is a very dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. But his primary dedication is to Love the Lord above all, to be a light and to serve Jesus Christ with all of his heart.

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Matthew 22:37

George Kovach was saved in 1979 after his cousin shared the Gospel message with him. Not only did his decision to follow Christ change his eternal future, it changed where he lived, from Lubbock, Texas, to Fayetteville, Arkansas. His wife, Sherrie, reluctantly followed him to Fayetteville with their newborn daughter.

Br. George was baptized and became a member of Mission Blvd. Baptist Church. Later Sherrie surrendered her life to Christ for salvation as well and then became a member of MBBC. They raised their family in MBBC and enjoy serving the Lord together with their children and grandchildren.

GEORGE KOVACH

Deacon
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RON MCGATHY

Deacon

Ron first came to MBBC in 1986, when he moved into the Session House (Campus Center) on the University of Arkansas campus. He was saved, then baptized to officially join MBBC, in February of 1991.

Over the years, he has served the Lord in many capacities, including the print shop, the multimedia ministry, House of Destiny, Vacation Bible School, the discipleship conference, church camp, and Fayetteville Christian School. His servant nature eventually led to his ordination as a deacon in October of 2009.

During his time at MBBC, Ron met and married his wife, Rachel, in January of 1994, and they welcomed their son RJ in 2011. Over the years, they have also opened their home to many FCS exchange students.

Gary M. McHenry has been a member of the Mission Boulevard Baptist Church (MBBC) for 34 years. He and his wife, Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, were saved on October 18, 1982, as a result of the gospel outreach efforts of former members Lavenski Smith, Trendle Smith, and Darnesia Carter, as well as the ministry of Pastor Brian Disney.

Gary moved to Fayetteville that year to pursue a graduate degree in Computer Science from the University of Arkansas. Upon completion of his degree program in 1985, Gary was employed by the University and continued to work for the U of A in various capacities for many years. In 2009, Gary completed a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) with a focus on workforce education, also from the U of A.

Mission Boulevard Baptist Church has been described as the “church of challenge” according to Luke 6:46. MBBC members are challenged to serve the Lord according to the Bible’s description of church membership found in the New Testament. Gary can confirm that has certainly been true over his time at the church. Gary has served as a ministry team leader, a deacon, outreach director, and a member of the choir. He is currently the chair of the Fayetteville Christian School Board, and in previous years, he taught  math and computer science at the school. Gary is the Conference Director for the Leadership Training Institute of America (LTIA), a program primarily serving young adults from Independent Baptist Churches around the nation.

Gary and Lepaine have three adult children, Phillip, Aaron, and Lindsey McHenry. They also raised their niece, Ieshia Sharp, in their home. Gary’s passion is to give honor to God by faithfully serving and witnessing for Him through His Church. The scripture mandate for this is found in Ephesians 3:21 which reads, “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

Gary is always happy to share what God has accomplished in his life. You may get a perspective on the types of interests that Gary has or contact him by locating his accounts on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. May the Lord bless you for taking the time in your day to look into our church website!

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GARY McHENRY

Deacon
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CHUCK NESBITT

Deacon

Chuck Nesbitt was born and raised in the Little Rock, Arkansas, area. He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1974. He took a one year course in horticulture at Petit Jean Vocational Technical School before enrolling at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he studied landscape design and urban horticulture.

While at PJVT, during the fall of 1974, Chuck met his wife. He was visiting his parents’ church and met Debbie through his sister. That was that. They married in June, 1977, while he was at the U of A. Chuck became a part of the Navigators, and there he met Rick and Mary Saldivar. A few months later when Rick and Mary joined the Mission Boulevard Baptist Church and that campus ministry, Chuck and Debbie moved their membership, too.

For forty years, Chuck has done what needs to be done. He was ordained as a deacon in 1992 but considers himself to be a “gopher extraordinaire.” He works mainly for Fayetteville Christian School as a custodial supervisor, maintenance man, and bus driver. He does much of the day-to-day maintenance work and cleaning required in a school used daily by over three hundred people.

From 1984-2012, Chuck had the privilege of teaching Sunday School to many first through third graders at MBBC, including his own daughters, Mary Rene and Amanda Joy. He also led the music in children’s church. Chuck’s song writing and singing has also placed him on some of the music charts. The Radio Music Group has charted all six of his songs in the Independent Americana Folk category, with four of them reaching number one.

Chuck is very glad to be part of a church that has allowed his wife and him to be part of a ministry that they could pour their lives into instead of sitting on the sidelines.

Randy Perry was born in El Segundo and later moved to Springdale, Arkansas with his family. He came to know the Lord as his Savior during a revival service when he was twelve years old. He met Brian Disney when Bro. Brian first came to Arkansas as a missionary, and he has been a part of the ministry since those early beginnings.

Randy is a charter member of Mission Boulevard Baptist Church. He was ordained as a deacon in the church in the early 1980s.

Randy and his wife, Deborah, have two adult daughters and five grandchildren.

RANDY PERRY

Deacon
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STAN PROWELL

Deacon

When Stan Prowell came to Fayetteville, Arkansas, in 1977, he had plans of being reunited with his high school sweetheart Joyce (they had been apart for a school year) and to study architecture at the University of Arkansas. Little did he know, she had plans of introducing him to her pastor, Brian Disney. Stan ended up trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior and becoming a member of MBBC in September 1977. He and Joyce were married in the church just over a year later.

Over the years, the Lord blessed the couple with three great kids who have grown up to become well-adjusted adults. Well, miracles do happen. Their children still live in the area, and one is still a member of MBBC.

Since 1980, Stan has worked for the telephone company in various positions. He currently is an Outside Plant Planner.

Stan has been playing bass guitar for over 30 years, and most services you will find him playing along with congregational singing and the church choir at MBBC. He participates regularly in ministry team time and occasionally leads Bible studies. He is also involved with the AWANA ministry.

Stan can be reached on Facebook, but don’t confuse him with his son. Better yet, come by the church during our worship or prayer meeting times. He’s almost always there.

Ron Rone and his wife, Jane, have been members of MBBC since February of 1980. Ron accepted Christ as his Savior when he was a young boy attending First Baptist Church of Cave Springs, Arkansas. Jane trusted Christ as her Savior on August 4, 1980, after a ferocious, eight-month spiritual battle. Both have actively served in MBBC ever since.

Ron has a 4th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and therefore has helped with security issues at church. He was church treasurer for 35 years and is still head deacon. He very much enjoyed playing his trombone in the church ensemble. Ron has worked security and taught two classes, Senior Boys Bible and Chemistry, at Fayetteville Christian School. In addition, he taught a class at MBBC entitled “Israel in Bible Prophecy” for eight years.

Ron experienced a massive heart attack and stroke in January 2015. This was a life-altering event for him and Jane. He miraculously survived and is still progressing in his recovery.

Ron and Jane have two grown children. Jane was the church secretary for a few years and was also the school secretary for seventeen years while their children attended Fayetteville Christian School. She then worked for ten years at the University of Arkansas in the History department. She is once again working part-time in the office at Fayetteville Christian School and is privileged to have three of her grandchildren attending the school. She enjoys playing her clarinet in the church ensemble.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.


Proverbs 3:5, 6

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RON RONE

Deacon

MINISTRY TEAM LEADERS

At MBBC, the Lord has guided us to provide a staff of leaders called ministry team leaders. Every member of the church has a ministry team leader. These leaders are a further extension of pastoral oversight to ensure that every member is receiving a ministry and challenge to grow and to serve. The pastoral staff of MBBC wants every member to reach their fullest potential in Christ.
Click here to see the ministry team leaders.

MINISTRY LEADERS

Many church members provide leadership over various ministries and activities that minister to specific needs and interests of the church. All members are encouraged to assume some responsibility in church ministries to aid in personal spiritual growth as well as to provide ministry for the spiritual needs of others.
Click here to view all the ministries.
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