Byron Potter
Lead Pastor
Byron grew up in Dalhart, TX, and graduated high school in 2001. He attended Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, TX where he met his wife Moriah. Byron and Moriah have two daughters, Ellie (15) and Lucy (12), and a son, Lincoln (8).
Byron graduated from Wayland in May of 2005 with a degree in history and a minor in religion. After graduation, he became a youth intern with Zack Randles at Monterey Baptist Church in Lubbock, TX. In January of 2006, he became the interim youth pastor at Monterey Baptist until May when he became the full-time youth pastor at First Baptist Church Olton, TX.
Byron graduated from Wayland in May of 2005 with a degree in history and a minor in religion. After graduation, he became a youth intern with Zack Randles at Monterey Baptist Church in Lubbock, TX. In January of 2006, he became the interim youth pastor at Monterey Baptist until May when he became the full-time youth pastor at First Baptist Church Olton, TX.
Byron was in Olton until January of 2012, and from there became the youth pastor at First Baptist Church Plains, TX. Byron remained in Plains for three years until he felt the Lord call him to be a pastor. Byron became pastor at First Baptist Spearman in March of 2015.
Byron enjoys yard work, music, reading, working out, and spending time with his family.
Byron enjoys yard work, music, reading, working out, and spending time with his family.
Braiden Vernor
Youth Pastor
Braiden grew up in Perryton, TX, and graduated high school in 2011. He attended Emporia State University in Emporia, KS. Braiden graduated from Emporia State in May of 2016 with a degree in health promotion. Braiden completed college in 2017 and married his highschool sweetheart, Lacey.
He went on to complete two semesters of seminary through Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. After seminary, he began his career as a farmer, but God drew him back to ministry by being a youth interim at FBC Perryton in the school year of 2017-2018. He then took another youth interim position at FBC Spearman in 2019.
He went on to complete two semesters of seminary through Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. After seminary, he began his career as a farmer, but God drew him back to ministry by being a youth interim at FBC Perryton in the school year of 2017-2018. He then took another youth interim position at FBC Spearman in 2019.
In October 2022, Braiden accepted a full time position with the NRCS as a Soil Conservation Technician. Also, in October 2022, he accepted the position at FBC Spearman as part time youth pastor.
Braiden and Lacey have two daughters, Rowan (5), and Goldie (2), are are expecting twin girls in December! Braiden enjoys soccer, yard work, riding his motorcycle, and spending time with his family.
Braiden and Lacey have two daughters, Rowan (5), and Goldie (2), are are expecting twin girls in December! Braiden enjoys soccer, yard work, riding his motorcycle, and spending time with his family.
Melissa Layman
Administrative Assistant
Melissa grew up in Odessa, TX, but moved to the panhandle and graduated from Canyon High School in 1996. She attended Wayland Baptist University where she earned her degree in Human Services.
Melissa began working at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch in 2000. That is where she met her husband, James. They were married in 2003 and continued to live and work at Boys Ranch in several different capacities over the next seventeen years. They also raised both of their sons there, Landon (26) and Ethan (21).
Melissa began working at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch in 2000. That is where she met her husband, James. They were married in 2003 and continued to live and work at Boys Ranch in several different capacities over the next seventeen years. They also raised both of their sons there, Landon (26) and Ethan (21).
Then in 2021, God called her family to Spearman. James was hired as Spearman High School’s Principal, and he now serves as the School Superintendent. Melissa previously worked at the elementary school before serving as the FBC Administrative Assistant.
Melissa and James are empty nesters, so they spend as much time as possible traveling to see their boys. Their oldest served in the US Navy and now lives in California with his new wife, and their youngest is attending SWOSU in Oklahoma.
Melissa and James are empty nesters, so they spend as much time as possible traveling to see their boys. Their oldest served in the US Navy and now lives in California with his new wife, and their youngest is attending SWOSU in Oklahoma.