The Staff of First Baptist Church
Rev. Graham Byrum
Senior Pastor
Graham began his ministry at First Baptist Church in April 2021. Having been raised in the home and nurture of a minister’s family, he began his relationship with Jesus at the age of eight. As he grew and became active in the local church, he began to sense a call to ministry. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Poultry Science degree at NCSU, Graham enrolled at Campbell University Divinity School (CUDS) to pursue theological and ministry training. God used CUDS to deepen his understanding of the Gospel of Jesus and to see how he had been uniquely gifted by the Spirit of God to be His instrument. Graham has been blessed to serve and gain experience in various ministry settings and his goal has always been to leverage his gifts for the furthering of God’s Kingdom. Graham is married to Jeanna and they have been blessed with two sons, Luke and Levi. The Byrum family enjoys spending their time outdoors on adventures, playing with their Jack Russells, and racing their pigeons!
Holly Sloan
Minister with Children & Families
Holly lives in Greenville where she is employed with Hyster-Yale. When not at work, Holly enjoys spending time with her family, especially her nephew, Evan, and her niece, Kylie. Holly was raised in the church and spent her childhood in Windsor, NC. She accepted Christ during her Freshman year of high school and became a member of Lawrence Baptist Church. However, Holly didn’t become involved in ministry until she became a member of the Baptist Student Union at ECU. It was here that she began her outreach by leading several Youth retreats, bible studies, and worship evenings. During this time, Holly was hired as a summer youth intern for The Memorial Baptist Church in Greenville. While she only worked two summers, Holly spent several years at TMBC as a youth leader and children’s Sunday school teacher. Through this time, Holly has grown in her faith and her walk and looks forward to seeing where God leads her. She and her boyfriend Brian recently became engaged and look forward to marrying next January!
Kathryn Sauls
Choir Director
Kathryn is a graduate of the East Carolina School of Music: BM’75, MM’76, and Music Specialist 6th year degree ’81. She is the director of the First Baptist Church Adult choir and the children’s choir. This is her 7th year as choir director of the Farmville First Baptist Church. Ms. Sauls is also a retired public music school teacher with 30 years of experience in the state of NC at Farmville Middle School and Farmville Central High School. After retirement, Ms. Sauls taught 3 years at the Sallie B Howard Charter School in Wilson, NC and she is currently in her 4th year as a part-time choral teacher at the Oakwood School in Greenville, NC. She is married to Coach Dixon Sauls and has two children, Lindsay and Robyn.
Jonathan Sitton
Organist/Pianist
Jonathan “Jonny” officially joined our church staff in June 2021, as Organist/Pianist. He served as our Interim Organist/Pianist from November 2020 – June 2021. He and his wife, Linda, have been active members of FBC’s music ministry singing with the choir and Acclaim since 2013. Jonathan served as a Performing Artist and Teaching Instructor at the ECU School of Theatre and Dance from 2007 – 2022. He served as Music Specialist in the Farmville and D.H. Conley School Districts of Pitt County Schools from 1993 – 2007. He served as Choir Director/Assistant Organist/Pianist at the Ayden United Methodist Church from 1990 – 2007. Jonathan has served as accompanist/pit pianist for numerous musical productions at the Farmville Community Arts Council’s Paramount Theatre as well as the ECU/Loessin Playhouse and Summer Theatre, and The Oakwood School. He also served as an accompanist for the NCMEA High School All-State Choral Festival and the NCMEA Middle School All-State Choral Festival and Honor Chorus. Jonathan is a graduate of the ECU School of Music: BM ’92 and MM ’98. He is a member of SEANC and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America. Jonathan and his family live in Farmville and have been members of FBC since 2013.
Nell Godley
Administrative Assistant
Nell graduated from East Carolina University in 1972 with a BS degree is Early Childhood Education and taught school in Tarboro City Schools and Pitt County Schools for 4 years. She has been a church secretary or Administrative Assistant for approximately 35 years, serving at her home church, Black Jack Free Will Baptist Church for over 17 years, The Memorial Baptist Church in Greenville for over 16 years and has been on the staff at First Baptist Church in Farmville since Dec. 2013. Nell has been married for 45 years to Lindsay Godley and they have 3 adult children and 6 wonderful grandchildren. She is a life-long member of Black Jack Free Will Baptist Church where she has been actively involved in the children’s ministry there for approximately 30 years. She has taught Sunday School and has been the director of children’s church on Sunday morning and Sunday night. Nell is currently the leader of a children’s group for ages 3-2nd grade, the director for the children’s choir and also sings in the Adult Choir. She enjoys shopping, spending time with her family, and going to the beach.