SENIOR PASTOR- Tom Shaw

Tom is a native Arkansan. He came to Christ at the age of 27. He felt the call to become a Pastor Teacher shortly after his salvation experience with Jesus Christ. Tom left his profession as a pharmacist & went to Texas to attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.  Tom has pastored in Texas at Reece Prairie Baptist, 1st Baptist Clinton Arkansas, and now at Elmdale Baptist since 2000.

Tom believes in the need for a strong Bible-teaching ministry from the pulpit, the absolute necessity of Christian growth & development after salvation and the necessity to win our friends & neighbors to Jesus Christ through our normal everyday relationships and the power of prayer.

Tom is married to JoBeth and they have three grown children- Derek, Luke & Kati Beth.

MUSIC MINISTER- Jeff Rhoades

Jeff is Elmdale Baptist Church’s Minister of Music and Associate Pastor. He comes to Elmdale with a recording, composing, and music arranging background which he incorporates into his music ministry. He has also had experience in church education ministry. He is married to Miriam, who serves on staff as the Senior Adult Ministry Coordinator. They have one son, Sean. Jeff has served on staff at Elmdale for 10 years.
Jeff enjoys running, reading, snow skiing, and writing music and literature. He has one movie score to his credit and numerous commercial music projects for radio and television.
He is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University with a Bachelor of Music Education and from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity.

   SENIOR ADULT COORDINATOR- Miriam Rhoades

Miriam, originally from Texas, has called Arkansas home for the past 22 years.  With her husband, Jeff, the Ministry of Music/Associate Pastor, they began their ministries over 10 years ago at Elmdale Baptist Church.  Their son, Sean, is presently attending Arknasas Tech University and is now in his senior year with future plans to continue his education into seminary.  The Senior Adult Ministry has always been Miriam's "heart ministry," although she helps and assists Jeff with the Music Ministry and its many facets within the church.

Elmdale Baptist  Church Senior Adult Ministry, also known as "Seasoned Saints," is designed to not only meet the needs of our church family but also the opportunity to meet the needs of our Senior Adult community.  Each activity and function is aimed towards catering to everyone who attends -- a place to be comfortable and meet new friends or fellowship with old ones, enjoyable enough to want to come back, and fulfilling not only physically but spiritually.  Within the activities and functions, there are many opportunities to minister with the monthly luncheons, "Witnesses for Christ" (widows ministry), quarterly socials and Senior Adult Vacation Bible School.  The "Sugar and Spice" is a bimonthly newsletter packed with information helpful to today's Senior Adults, fun tidbits and upcoming activities in our ministry.  It can be mailed to you upon request.

"What is a Seasoned Saint?"  One who is ripened to maturity; who, with time, has not aged to wither and become useless, but rather has become seasoned with flavor from all that life has dished out and in turn grown more valuable.

YOUTH PASTOR:  Open

CHILDREN'S PASTOR- Tim Washburn

Tim was an engineer for 14 years before surrendering to full time ministry. God confirmed his call on a mission trip to India, allowing him to share at numerous schools. Tim and his family moved to Fort Worth, Texas to attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Upon graduation God brought Tim and his family back to Elmdale Baptist Church where he has been serving since June 2006.

PRESCHOOL COORDINATOR- Julie Washburn

Married to Tim for 20 years, Julie began serving in children’s & preschool ministry as an extended session volunteer and then moving into various other volunteer ministry positions. Serving as the part-time Preschool Coordinator since July 2006, Julie claims I Corinthians 3:6 “I (Paul) planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” seeing that in the Preschool Ministry working with the parents to lay the foundation for preschoolers to eventually to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Tim and Julie are the parents of Laura, Nathan and Ross.

YOUNG ADULT PASTOR- Chris Kohlman

Chris served in the U.S. Army and was finishing his undergrad in Pre-Law & Psychology at UofA and ASU. Upon meeting Jesus he almost immediately received His calling to vocational ministry. He came to Christ in November of 2000 at 21 years old and a month and half later began his training and serving at Ecclesia College. During his time there he has served in a variety of rolls including: Program director for The Edge Ropes Challenge Course, Director of Public Relations & Marketing, and Outreach/Ministry Team leader for Missions trips both home and abroad. He has led around 20 short-term ministry teams both around the U.S. and on the foreign mission field. He finished his Bachelors of Biblical Ministries in 2005 and was ordained as a minister the same year. Chris also serves as a faculty member at the college teaching Creation Science, Apologetics, Intro. to Christian Theology, and various communications classes.
In June of 2005 he married his wife Shawnee. They have no children YET.
He came to serve as the Young Adult Minister at Elmdale in 2006 and when asked about his calling and purpose he says, "May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering."

CHURCH SECRETARY- Shana Cooper

Shana has spent all but six years of her life in the state of Arkansas. Those 6 years of her youth were spent in Ruidoso, New Mexico. She and her husband, David, have called Northwest Arkansas their home since 1989. After being part of Elmdale since 1995, Shana was called to the position of church secretary in 2002. Her organizational skills, Business Administration degree, her love for the family of Elmdale, and her love for the Lord and His work enable her to successfully carry out the secretarial duties. When she is not at the office, she and her husband are actively involved in the academic and recreational activities of their children, Garrett and Katie. She also loves to spend time with her three Pomeranians and one Labrador Retriever.

FINANCIAL SECRETARY- Kathy Stukey