Staff & Ministry Team: First Baptist Chuch

Rick Sweenie: Senior Pastor

Bruce Kuenning:Family Life Coordinator

Cathy Stange: Church Secretary

Deb Cook: Children’s Education Coordinator

Jeff Ballenger: Diaconate Moderator

Karen Lehmer: Worship Coordinator

Ward Bean: Missions Coordinator

Jackie Rindone: Outreach Coordinator

Deb Cook: Christian Education Coordinator

Peggy Cavanaugh: Church Treasurer

Bonnie Buswell: Finance Coordinator

Jeff Kreger: Property Coordinator

Ruth Kreger: Church Clerk

Teresa Hildreth: Food Pantry Coordinator

Pastor Rick Sweenie graduated with honors with a double major in Bible and Human Resource Management at Grace University.  Rick became ordained to preach the Gospel at Central Baptist Church 1998.   Rick was with Good News Jail and Prison Ministry for 40 years training, placing and mentoring chaplains for correctional ministry in 12 states while serving as Director of Ministry Growth and Expansion.  While speaking at churches all over the country, Rick fell in love with First Baptist Church in Council Bluffs.  Rick Sweenie then left his long career with Good News, started out as interim pastor in 2019 and started as permanent full-time pastor First Baptist Church in January 2020.  Rick and Margie have been married for 51 years.

Bruce has been in pastoral ministry since 1993, serving in many area churches.   Bruce Kuenning serves First Baptist Church as Family Life Ministry Coordinator.  Bruce’s ministry duties include activities for Youth, Men, Children and young professionals (18- to 35-year-olds) and Worship music at the church.  Bruce has been married to Tami for 41 years.