EBC Staff
RICHARD PILES
Pastor
Bro. Richard came to Emory Baptist Church in January 2015. He is a native Texan growing up in Johnson County and earning degrees from Alvarado High School, Texas A&M University, Southwestern Seminary, and Southern Seminary. His previous pastorate was FBC Camden, AR from 2005-2014. Bro. Richard has been married to Christy since 2000, and they have three daughters: Caleigh, Sarah Cate, and Caroline. In his spare time, if he isn’t watching Aggie sports, you might find him in a local gym watching his girls play basketball
CHRIS HENDERSON
RONNIE WITT
CHRIS HENDERSON
Minister of Music and Senior Adults
Chris is a graduate of East Texas Baptist University where he studied Music and Worship in Ministry. Chris grew up just down I-30 in Mount Vernon, where he first felt the call to full-time Music Ministry. He came to Emory Baptist Church in February of 2019 from First Baptist Avinger, where he served as the Youth and Music Minister, his first ministry position after graduating ETBU. He and Grace were married in March of 2021 and enjoy fishing, kayaking, and camping together along with their dog, Jax.
BARBIE THOMPSON
TERESA WHITE
RONNIE WITT
Minister of Youth and Education
Ronnie is a graduate of Texas A&M-Commerce and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and Lacy are from Commerce, TX and they have three boys: Caleb, Colby, and Cohen. Ronnie came to Emory Baptist as youth minister (2004). He loves working with students and hopes to help students deepen their faith at this age of burgeoning adulthood. In his nonworking hours, he dabbles with technology and likes riding his motorcycle, but you’ll typically find him spending time with his family, either at home or on the run.
CECILY KIRBY
Director of Preschool Ministries
Cecily is a Rains High School alumni and long-time Emory resident. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree online at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. She married Kyle Kirby in 2011, and they have five children:
Greenlee, Kinsler, Oaklee, Stryker, and Radlee. Cecily has worked at Sonbeam Day School since 2017. In 2023, she became the Director of
Preschool Ministries at Emory Baptist. She oversees Sonbeam Day School as well as the preschool Sunday School and preschool ministry at Emory Baptist. She enjoys playing wiffle ball with her family, kayaking, movie nights, watching college softball, and watching her kids compete in youth sports.
TERESA WHITE
Church Secretary
Teresa has been a member of EBC for several years, along with her parents who are long-time Emory residents. Teresa recently moved from Plano to Emory and started working at Emory Baptist in September of 2021. When she is not at work, she is caring for her family and cat, Sugar.
BARBIE THOMPSON
Financial Secretary
Barbie began working at Emory Baptist Church in 2007. Before she came to Emory Baptist, she retired from Southwestern Bell where she worked as a Communications Technician. The last few years she worked at Southwestern Bell, she worked with fiber optics. When she's not at work, she enjoys playing bridge with friends, gardening, and taking care of her two cats
