First Baptist Church
building an inclusive family of faith
Our Staff
Pastor: Dr. David Russell
began his ministry with us in September 1999 after previous ministries
as a pastor in Arthur, Illinois and as a campus minister at Illinois
State and Illinois Wesleyan Universities. An Indiana native, Dave is
a graduate of the University of Evansville and Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary. He received the Doctor of Ministry degree in 2007
from the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Dave serves on the board of the
Center for Creative Justice and Iowa Religious Media Services and is president of the Iowa-Minnesota Ministers Council (the professional organization for American Baptist clergy). He enjoys
gardening, computers, church history, home repair/remodeling projects (until things go awry) and sports, especially
basketball. (He has made a pilgrimage to the NCAA Final Four and enjoys
playing on our church team, the First Baptist Dunkers!) Dave's sermons can be accessed here.
Associate Pastor: Rev. Susan Russell has served since January 2002 with responsibilities in outreach, pastoral care, worship, and other areas. She has also served locally as a Parent Educator at People Place, a prevention arm of Lutheran Social Services. Susan has degrees from the University of Arkansas and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has previously worked on church staff and as a hospital chaplain. In the denomination, she has been a regional Ministers Council president and chaired an Ordination Commission. Susan is an avid reader and likes to travel, cook, and spend time with her friends and family. Dave and Susan have one daughter, Zoe, a student at the University of Northern Iowa. The Russells have a tabby cat, Jambo, and a rambunctious poodle mix, Rudy.
Director of Music Ministries: Mindy Phomvisay has served since 1998 as our Music Director. A native of Alta, Iowa, Mindy is a graduate of Iowa State and an elementary music teacher in the Ankeny school district. She has served as a private flute instructor, a director with the Ames Children’s Choirs, and a featured soloist at the Bandshell Park summer concerts. Mindy brings skill, enthusiasm, and a warm spirit to our music program, accompanying congregational singing in worship as well as directing our adult choir, youth choir, and our children’s Music Camp. She and her husband Aiddy are parents of two young children, Elijah and Emma. 
Choir Accompanist: Steven Linn joined our staff as choir accompanist in September of 2006. Steve is well-known in the area as the choral music director at Ames High School. He has previously served other congregations as choir director, and we are delighted that he is part of our music program at First Baptist.
Office Manager: Gayle Osterberg has a wonderfully positive ministry with all who have contact with the church. An Illinois native, Gayle has been with First Baptist for more than 20 years. She truly keeps things together for us! Gayle and her husband Arvid, an architecture professor at ISU, are parents of three adult daughters. Gayle has recently started taking piano lessons!
Custodian: Terri Miller joined our staff in October 2009 and does a wonderful job of keeping our facilities neat and clean. We also appreciate her good humor and caring, helpful attitude. Terri is also employed by the Ames
School District.