Church Staff
Sam Bunnell
Senior Pastor
Sam Bunnell is a native of Fort Worth, TX, and spent his childhood in Central Texas, Oklahoma, and Southern California. He is a second-generation ordained Baptist minister and placed his own faith in Jesus as a child. He met his wife Holly, who also grew up in a Baptist minister’s family, at West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster, CA, where Sam earned his bachelor’s degree, and Holly earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. They were married in 2012, and Sam and Holly began their ministry together as on-field missionaries in Central America in both San Jose, Costa Rica, and Panama City, Panama. After their first son was born, the Bunnells moved to northern Nevada, where Sam served on the pastoral staff of Calvary Baptist Church in Elko, NV, and later South Reno Baptist Church in Reno, NV. He also spent time as the Next Gen Director for the Nevada Baptist Convention, aiding churches across the state in more effectively reaching the youth and young adults in their communities. God eventually led the Bunnells back to Texas, where, after spending time as Director of Partnerships at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Sam answered the call to become the lead pastor of First Baptist Henrietta in May of 2023. Sam holds a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Sam and Holly have two sons, Austin and Beau, and an Irish wolf-a-doodle named Finley.
“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Romans 1:16
Spending quality time with family, cheering on the Longhorns, Cowboys, and Rangers, and enjoying Holly’s amazing baking skills
Sarah Farris
Children's Minister
Originally from Southlake, TX, Sarah moved to Clay County in 2017 and joined the FBC staff team in 2022. As Children’s Minister, she serves children (birth-5th grade) and their families by providing safe and Christ-centered programs and events. After studying at Baylor University, Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Women’s University in Denton, TX. She also holds 100+ hours of continuing education through the Early Childhood Christian Network. She taught Bible-based preschool for ten years and was a leader and Children’s Supervisor for Bible Study Fellowship for three years, where she fell in love with teaching the Bible to children. Sarah and her husband Michael now live on a ranch in southern Clay County and raise sheep, cattle, and two awesome kids, Samantha and Cooper. Most importantly, she finds her peace and hope in her Savior, who overcame her sin.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Plants of all kinds, reading, watching the sunset, drinking coffee and eating pasta
Joy Schaffner
Church Secretary
Joy grew up on her family farm in Henrietta and has been a lifelong member of First Baptist Church, saved and baptized at age eight. After studying at Texas Tech University, she earned her bachelor’s degree and additional graduate hours from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX. Joy spent 35 years teaching in the Henrietta ISD and retired in 2021. She joined the FBC staff as church secretary in 2023, because she always wants to say yes to God’s leading in her life. Her goal is to make every person who walks in the doors of the church feel welcome.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8
Learning to quilt and sew, taking care of her cows, cooking
Laura Lee Brock
Financial Administrator
Laura Lee Brock has lived in Henrietta and attended First Baptist Church for over 50 years and joined the church staff as Financial Administrator in 2017. She and her family moved to her parents’ hometown of Henrietta when she was 5 years old. She graduated from the Henrietta ISD and majored in accounting at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX, earning her bachelor’s degree. She married her high school sweetheart Joe Bill Brock, and they have two adult sons. She is also the proud Nana Lee to her first grandson. As a CPA, Laura Lee Accountant has worked for government entities for over thirty years. During that time, she served as Director of Finance and Accounting for Region 9 Education Service Center. In 2007, she was named Director of Finance for the Wichita Falls ISD, and she recently retired from school district accounting as the Business Manager for the Electra ISD. She was appointed as Auditor for Clay County in November 2022. She believes it is her ministry to serve God and the church with her financial background.
