Leadership
Chip Thornton
Lead Pastor
Pastor Chip has served as pastor of FBC since 2012. He is committed to the faithful preaching of Scripture, theological clarity, and the spiritual care of the church.
He became a believer while preparing to enter law school after graduating from the University of Alabama. Before that, he played college soccer for three years at UAB. Following his conversion, he turned down law school to prepare for pastoral ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. He later completed a Ph.D. in Theology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Before coming to FBC in 2012, Pastor Chip served two churches in Kentucky. Pastor Chip has a passion for training other pastors. He has had the opportunity to train and mentor pastors in the USA, Ecuador, Nigeria, Senegal, and Paris.
He and his wife, Kerri Thornton, have four children: Libby, Boaz, Titus, and Lazarus. Kerri Thornton is a third-grade teacher with a passion for sharing Christ. Outside of ministry, Pastor Chip enjoys college sports, especially football.
He became a believer while preparing to enter law school after graduating from the University of Alabama. Before that, he played college soccer for three years at UAB. Following his conversion, he turned down law school to prepare for pastoral ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. He later completed a Ph.D. in Theology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Before coming to FBC in 2012, Pastor Chip served two churches in Kentucky. Pastor Chip has a passion for training other pastors. He has had the opportunity to train and mentor pastors in the USA, Ecuador, Nigeria, Senegal, and Paris.
He and his wife, Kerri Thornton, have four children: Libby, Boaz, Titus, and Lazarus. Kerri Thornton is a third-grade teacher with a passion for sharing Christ. Outside of ministry, Pastor Chip enjoys college sports, especially football.
James Hill
Pastor
James Hill serves as one of the lay elders of FBC. He is committed to the spiritual care of the church and enjoys teaching God’s Word in ways that strengthen disciples of Jesus Christ.
James Hill attended Mississippi State University and later earned his law degree from the University of Alabama. He currently serves as Circuit Judge of St. Clair County. Before becoming Circuit Judge, he practiced law for more than ten years, primarily representing governmental entities and corporations.
At FBC, James Hill teaches a small group Bible study, where he seeks to glorify God by helping believers grow as faithful disciples of Christ.
He and his wife, Candice, have two young children: Taylor and James Edward. Outside of his work and ministry, James Hill enjoys spending time outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, and following Mississippi State University athletics.
James Hill attended Mississippi State University and later earned his law degree from the University of Alabama. He currently serves as Circuit Judge of St. Clair County. Before becoming Circuit Judge, he practiced law for more than ten years, primarily representing governmental entities and corporations.
At FBC, James Hill teaches a small group Bible study, where he seeks to glorify God by helping believers grow as faithful disciples of Christ.
He and his wife, Candice, have two young children: Taylor and James Edward. Outside of his work and ministry, James Hill enjoys spending time outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, and following Mississippi State University athletics.
David Dupre
Pastor
David DuPre is a longtime member of FBC Springville. He attended Auburn University and graduated in 1985 with a degree in Computer Science. David currently is employed at FIS, headquartered in Jacksonville, FL. He has taught a small group Bible Study for several years where he is greatly gifted. David has a heart to see people grow in their walk with Christ. In his spare time he enjoys running, beekeeping, snow skiing, and time outdoors. He has a beautiful young wife, Angi, and three children, Tyler, Shelby, and Jaclyn, as well as three grandchildren.
Buck Braswell
Executive Pastor
Pastor Buck has served at FBC Springville since 2022. He is from Mayo, Florida, and has been married to his wife, Vickie, since April 20, 1996. They have two daughters: Emilee, who is married to Josh Leibbrand, and Laura, who is married to Nathan Greenwood. Emilee and Josh Leibbrand have two children, J and Beverly.
In 2000, the Lord graciously opened Pastor Buck’s eyes to his sin and his need for a Savior through the faithful preaching of a young Baptist pastor, who remains a faithful friend today. Through that same pastor’s preaching and shepherding, the Lord placed within Pastor Buck a desire to enter pastoral ministry in 2007. His pastor began discipling him, and Pastor Buck started taking online classes through Baptist College of Florida. He later completed his Associate of Divinity at The College at Southeastern.
Pastor Buck’s passion in ministry is to see men and women come to the knowledge of Christ and grow in their love and devotion to Him through the faithful preaching and teaching of the Word of God. He also uses his experience from the corporate world to help keep things running smoothly at FBC Springville.
In addition to his ministry and administrative responsibilities, Pastor Buck is certified through ACBC (Association of Certified Biblical Counselors) and uses those skills to provide counseling services to church members.
Outside of ministry, Pastor Buck enjoys hunting, fishing, and camping.
In 2000, the Lord graciously opened Pastor Buck’s eyes to his sin and his need for a Savior through the faithful preaching of a young Baptist pastor, who remains a faithful friend today. Through that same pastor’s preaching and shepherding, the Lord placed within Pastor Buck a desire to enter pastoral ministry in 2007. His pastor began discipling him, and Pastor Buck started taking online classes through Baptist College of Florida. He later completed his Associate of Divinity at The College at Southeastern.
Pastor Buck’s passion in ministry is to see men and women come to the knowledge of Christ and grow in their love and devotion to Him through the faithful preaching and teaching of the Word of God. He also uses his experience from the corporate world to help keep things running smoothly at FBC Springville.
In addition to his ministry and administrative responsibilities, Pastor Buck is certified through ACBC (Association of Certified Biblical Counselors) and uses those skills to provide counseling services to church members.
Outside of ministry, Pastor Buck enjoys hunting, fishing, and camping.
David Skinner
Youth Minister
David Skinner is married to his wife Jae, and they have 4 sons. David has served in various leadership roles at FBC. He currently serves as our Youth Minister and as a member of our Worship Band. David enjoys spending time with his family, coaching his sons sporting teams, and investing in the life and growth of the Church.
JR Neal
Family Minister
JR began serving as Family Minister at FBC in May of 2026. He is from North Alabama and has been married to his wife, Jennifer, since May 2006. They have three children: Corban, Mary, and Lily.
The Lord opened JR’s eyes to his need for Christ through circumstances surrounding his grandmother’s severe illness. During that time, through the faithful ministry of a local church, he heard the gospel and was made new through faith in Christ.
For the first ten years of their marriage, JR and Jennifer served in various lay-leadership roles in a local church in Huntsville, Alabama, while JR worked for the Department of Army. They later moved to New Orleans, where JR earned a Master of Arts in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and began serving in vocational ministry.
Since his time in New Orleans, JR has had the privilege of serving in three churches. He has a passion for equipping families to disciple their children, share their faith in their communities, and participate in the mission of making Christ known to the ends of the earth.
Outside of ministry, JR enjoys woodworking, home improvement projects, spending time in nature, reading a good book, and being with his wife and children.
The Lord opened JR’s eyes to his need for Christ through circumstances surrounding his grandmother’s severe illness. During that time, through the faithful ministry of a local church, he heard the gospel and was made new through faith in Christ.
For the first ten years of their marriage, JR and Jennifer served in various lay-leadership roles in a local church in Huntsville, Alabama, while JR worked for the Department of Army. They later moved to New Orleans, where JR earned a Master of Arts in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and began serving in vocational ministry.
Since his time in New Orleans, JR has had the privilege of serving in three churches. He has a passion for equipping families to disciple their children, share their faith in their communities, and participate in the mission of making Christ known to the ends of the earth.
Outside of ministry, JR enjoys woodworking, home improvement projects, spending time in nature, reading a good book, and being with his wife and children.
Harrison Hornsby
Worship Leader
Harrison Hornsby has served as Worship Leader at First Baptist Church of Springville since 2023. He is committed to leading the congregation in Christ-centered worship that exalts God and encourages the church to sing biblical truth together.
He graduated from Clay-Chalkville High School before studying Choral Music Education and Piano Performance at the University of Kentucky. In addition to serving the church, Harrison directs the choirs at Springville Middle School and Springville High School, where he seeks to cultivate both musical excellence and a love for the arts.
Harrison and his wife, Hannah, were married in 2019 and are the thankful parents of five boys. Outside of ministry, Harrison enjoys spending time with his family and investing in his roles as a husband and father.
Support Staff
Lewis Cheney
Candice Hill
Church Administrator
Childrens Ministry