Dr. SAM ROACH – Senior Pastor
A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Sam practiced law before entering vocational ministry. After serving on staff at a church in Texas, he pastored churches in Tampa and Charlotte prior to accepting the call to serve as the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Sanford in 2019. Sam holds several graduate degrees, including a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Texas, Arlington.
Sam has a passion for teaching God’s Word and seeing God transform lives through the power of the gospel. He has served on international mission teams to Armenia, Belgium, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, and Honduras. His interests include reading, tennis, and golf.
Sam is from St. Petersburg, Florida, and his wife, Alysia, is from Winter Park, Florida. They have three daughters, Savannah, Kendall, and Whitney.
MIKE HANDY – Minister of Music/Senior Adults
With Music degrees from Middle Tennessee State University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Michael and his wife Lu Anne have two grown sons living in Arkansas and Virginia, and have been blessed with four beautiful grandchildren. Mike is responsible for the music and worship ministries of the church, as well as the ministry to senior adults. Coming to the church in 2009, he oversees the development of nine choirs, working with church members that serve in leadership positions in many of the groups. He also oversees the Senior Adult Activities Committee and plans trips and other events for the church’s senior members.
CHADWICK MOORE – Minister of Youth and Family Ministries
Chadwick received his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies in 2017 and his Master of Divinity in 2020. He was the Interim Minister to Students at Nassau Bay Baptist Church in Houston, Texas where he worked to carry out student ministry missions.
Most recently, he served as the High School Life Group Leader at Seminole First Baptist Church in Seminole, Florida, leading teaching and praying with students.
Chadwick is a mission-oriented individual successful in preaching & teaching to believers of all ages, aiming always to help them grow in their relationship with God, the church, & the world. Driven by a heart for connecting with & caring for students. Successful background in spiritual leadership, contributing to spiritual formation, & mission-oriented service.
LEE JOHNSON – Minister of Outreach/Activities
After graduating from UNCW, Lee went on to manage a State Employees’ Credit Union office, then served as an agent and agency manager for NC Farm Bureau before surrendering to God’s call to full-time pastoral ministry. He has served on staff at Corinth Baptist Church in Elizabeth City, NC since February 2010, first as her Director of Outreach and Discipleship and finally as her Associate Pastor prior to accepting the call to First Baptist Church Sanford in August 2021. Lee has been working towards his Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Lee has a passion for connecting lost people with the Gospel and connecting saved people with God’s Word, His church, His passion, and His mission. He and his wife, Tara, have served on several mission teams and they have led mission teams to Bangkok, Thailand, Marlinton, WV, Pittsburgh, PA, Syracuse, NY, Hatteras, NC as well as local mission efforts and endeavors.
After Graduating from ECU Tara taught high school science classes. Following the birth of their first son, she took a break from teaching until it became time to homeschool their sons.
Tara has led several Bible study groups including, Acteens, children’s church, adult Sunday school, and discipleship classes. She has also served as a Bible Study Fellowship group leader and Children’s Leader.
Lee is from Elizabethtown, NC and Tara is from Manteo, NC. They have two sons, Eli who is married to Anna are parents to their grandson, Calvin. Eli is a student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Anna is a teacher in the Portsmouth VA school system. Their youngest son, Jared, is a student at Pembroke State University.
Contact Lee by phone: 252-562-5878