Our Leadership

Chandler Warren

Senior Pastor/Elder

Chandler is an Oklahoma native who loves living in Eastern Tennessee. Before becoming the Senior Pastor at FBA, he served as a Student Pastor in Southeastern OK and as the Pastor to Students and Families at FBA.

He holds degrees from Oklahoma Baptist University (B.A.) and the University of St. Andrews, Scotland (MLitt). He currently studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he is pursuing a PhD in Theology. He loves chatting about Protestant, especially Baptist, theology. In his free time, Chandler enjoys reading all kinds of books and walking in Springbrook Park.

Chandler married Molly in 2019. Together they enjoy coffee, hiking, walking their dog Auggie, and traveling. They are expecting their first child in 2023.

Cody Barnhart

Director of Music and Media

Cody grew up attending First Baptist Alcoa with his family. He is a graduate of Midwestern College (B.A.). He is now a PhD candidate at the University of Aberdeen, where he studies a church father named Clement of Alexandria and how he contributed to early Christian theology.

In his free time, he keeps up with Kansas City sports, enjoys reading and writing, and hangs out with his dog, Milo. (He's also a coffee geek - ask him to make you a cup sometime!)

Harold Damron

Lay Elder

Harold is originally from Ohio but has lived most of his life in Blount County. Harold joined FBA in 1986 after graduating from college. He and his wife Gena have been married since 1989. Harold and Gena have two adult children, Jordan and Rebekah.

In his spare time, Harold enjoys hiking, sightseeing, reading, and watching college and professional sports.

Raymond Barnhart

Lay Elder

Raymond and his wife Michelle joined First Baptist Alcoa in 2007. Raymond leads a Sunday Seminar class and he, along with Michelle, are involved with various other ministries at FBA.

Raymond and Michelle have been married since 1986 and have two grown children, Zachary and Cody.