Wendell serves as an Elder with a deep love for the Eugene-Springfield community and a lifelong connection to the area. A graduate of both the University of Oregon and OHSU, Wendell spent nearly 33 years working as a Medical Technologist with OML and PeaceHealth before retiring seven years ago.

He and his wife—his “bride of 46 years”—live in Springfield and are blessed to have their three daughters, sons-in-law, and eight grandchildren all nearby. Life is full in the Ard household, which is currently a four-generation home that includes his youngest daughter’s family and their great-grandma.

Wendell has a long history of enjoying sports, from softball and basketball to volleyball, and now finds joy in golf (when his shoulder allows!). He especially appreciates the fellowship of regular rounds with the FBC guys. Wendell brings wisdom, steadiness, and a heart for service to his role as Elder.

Born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, Jacob is a third‑generation Eugene native. He studied Accounting at the University of Oregon and was given the opportunity to serve on the First B staff team for 10 years. During his time on staff, Jacob completed a Master of Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Seminary, further shaping his theological foundation and heart for ministry.

In 2020, Jacob transitioned off the First B staff and into working with local small businesses, focusing on rental property management as well as website design and development.

Jacob’s story is deeply intertwined with First B. He participated in numerous ministries including the High School group, Camp Harlow, Alpha Omega House, and College Ministry, and later had the privilege of serving alongside church staff. He often shares that First B has played a significant role in his journey with Jesus and has helped shape who he is today.

Jacob and his wife Alli, who also grew up at First B, joke that they never actually met—they were simply around each other for years before they began dating. They have been married for 10 years and are raising their two sons, Jonah and Ezra. As a family, they enjoy Saturday pancake breakfasts, getting outside, biking and running along the river path, reading, and sharing good coffee.

Jacob is grateful for the opportunity to serve as an elder and to continue growing, serving, and walking alongside the First B church family.

Steve serves as an Elder, bringing decades of professional experience and a heart grounded in faith and service. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Steve and his wife, Terri, moved to Eugene in 2015 as he entered semi-retirement—though he’s still working nearly full-time!

Steve holds a B.S. in Business Administration (Accounting) and a Master’s in Public Administration from Cal State East Bay. His career spans over 35 years, including 8 years in the CPA profession, 20 years in local government as Assistant City Manager/Finance Director, and the past 10 years as a director with a consulting firm serving local governments and nonprofits.

He and Terri—who retired as an RN in 2022 and was miraculously healed from lymphoma in 2024—met in second grade and have been married for 36 years. They have two adult sons, one grandson in Arizona, and a 13.5-year-old Great Pyrenees–Alaskan Malamute named Rusty.

Steve enjoys golf, bowling, serving behind the scenes in the tech booth as the “Chief Wordsmith Purveyor,” and most recently, embracing his favorite new title: Grandpa. He holds fast to the reminder:
“There is deep peace in remembering that God is God and I am not. I don’t have to hold the world together—He already does. My part is to trust Him, thank Him, and walk faithfully, even when I don’t understand the path He’s chosen.”

Marc grew up in Junction City, Oregon, and after serving in the U.S. Navy, he returned to the area to put down roots and invest in his community. A graduate of Junction City High School, Marc went on to earn a Bachelor of Science from the United States Naval Academy and later completed his MBA through the University of Phoenix.

Marc currently works as a Financial Advisor, combining his analytical skills with a heart for helping others navigate important life decisions. He and his wife have been married for 11 years and are proud parents of two college-age children—a daughter who recently graduated from Oregon State University and a son currently attending OSU as a junior.

He enjoys backpacking, reading (especially Christian apologetics), and using music as a creative and spiritual outlet through singing and playing instruments. Marc is passionate about serving and encouraging others in their faith and daily lives. He and his wife are also proud Ducks fans!

As an Elder, Marc is honored to support the mission of First B and help others grow in faith, community, and the love of Christ.

Craig grew up in the Seattle area and began his career in the tech industry as the co-founder of a startup in the IT sector. But what began as an entrepreneurial pursuit eventually led to something even greater—a deeper calling into vocational ministry. In 2003, Craig moved to Eugene to join the team at Youth For Christ, where he has been serving ever since.

It’s a wild Jesus story—one that he’d be glad to share over a cup of coffee!

Craig has been part of the First B community since 2004 and joined the Elder Board in 2023. He’s passionate about helping others walk with Jesus, building up the church, and creating spaces for people to grow in faith and purpose.

He married his best friend and better half, Jil, in 2004, and together they have three amazing kids: Elijah, Andrew, and Lydia. As a family, they love to travel and explore, always grateful for the memories they’re able to make together.

Craig is thankful for the way First B has been a consistent and faithful church home and is honored to serve the community that has walked alongside his family for so many years.

Glen was born at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene, Oregon, and has deep roots in the First B community. His family began attending First Baptist Church in the early 1940s and later became part of a daughter church planted by FBC on River Road in north Eugene.

A graduate of North Eugene High School (1967), Glen went on to earn an AA from Judson Baptist College (1969), a BA in History from the University of Oregon (1971), and a Master of Divinity from Denver Seminary (1974). He was ordained by First Baptist Church of Thermopolis, Wyoming, in 1975.

Between 1971 and 1989, Glen served as a pastor in Wyoming and Montana. In 1989, he returned to Eugene through Nursing Home Ministries and served as a chaplain in two local care centers before being hired by First B, continuing his lifelong call to serve others with compassion and faithfulness.

Glen met his wife Debbie through a mutual friend while he was an Associate Pastor in Thermopolis and she was a student at Montana Institute of the Bible. They have two children, Greg (born in 1981) and Grace (born in 1986), both born during their time church planting in Montana.

In his free time, Glen enjoys devotional Bible study, visiting the Oregon coast—especially Depoe Bay—and playing table games. He considers it a joy and privilege to serve the people of First B as an Elder.

Sheldon’s story begins locally. After his parents graduated from Springfield and Thurston High Schools, they were married and lived the Air Force life for a season. Following their divorce, Sheldon’s mom settled back in Springfield, where Sheldon was raised. He went on to graduate from the University of Oregon in 1991, earning a degree in School Health Education (K–12) with a minor in Recreation. He also completed graduate work in Youth and Human Service Agency Administration, after which he continued running camp programs for children.

Sheldon met his wife Christy at a CCF college retreat, and they were married in January 1992 in the High Street sanctuary. After a season away for graduate school in Iowa, they returned to Eugene in 1998 to raise their family.

Since returning to Eugene, Sheldon has worked in pharmaceutical and medical device sales, a field he has served in since 1998. He currently works for Medtronic, a global medical device manufacturer.

Sheldon and Christy have three sons—Cameron (25), Taylor (23), and Carter (20)—who currently live in Florida, New York, and Boise, respectively. They also enjoy life with their six‑year‑old dog, Scout.

First B has played a deeply formative role in Sheldon’s faith journey. He grew through the high school ministry under leaders like Rudy Herr and Dave Mertz, was part of the college group with Corey Rose, and was baptized by Senior Pastor Luther in 1988. Sheldon was also supported on a short‑term mission trip with Athletes in Action to Eastern and Western Europe. Over the years, he has had the opportunity to serve and grow through a variety of ministries and has learned greatly from the men he has served alongside since joining the elder board in 2008.

Reflecting on the many transitions First B has experienced, Sheldon is grateful for God’s continued faithfulness. In his free time, he enjoys pickleball, staying active, and investing in meaningful relationships.