Immanuel

Bryan Fields – Lead Pastor

I became the lead pastor of Immanuel in October of 2008. In my role, I’m primarily concerned with the overall mission and vision of Immanuel. For the first time in my life I believe that God has called me to plant roots and invest my life in ONE specific place. Very exciting to be planted in the same place I grew up! The most challenging, yet rewarding, part of my job so far has been working with our body to reform the way we operate by focusing on our mission and vision. My heart is to see Immanuel pursue the fame of Jesus Christ above all else. I also desire to see our region transformed for the glory of Christ.

My two greatest personal interests are preaching and enjoying the outdoors, especially hammering a big buck. I have an incredible wife named Erin. I married WAY up. The thing I admire most about her is that she loves me as I am. You’re awesome babe. It doesn’t hurt that she’s quite a looker.

As for my education, I received a Masters of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. I’m currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership in Preaching and Pastoral Ministry from Denver Seminary.

Dow Wilson – Volunteers Minister

My goal is help people connect to God's work each week. My primary role is First Impressions ministry which is leading a group of people help others experience Jesus through kindness and service. Our goal is to make sure everyone knows they are loved & welcomed by God and our church family. I also manage our computer needs and technical & communication development such as making sure the content and design of our website is fresh & relevant, social media is active and helpful and learning new ways to utilize technology for the advancement of Jesus followers. We are also undergoing major renovations and new construction at our Immanuel Campus which I oversee.

My first and foremost interest is my wife Liz and our 3 children, Tannah, Chloe and Cade. The study of the Bible has always intrigued me; but it is the challenge of living it out that excites me the most! As a young boy I was on the road with my parents in a singing group and picked up the guitar as my instrument of choice at age 15. I haven’t put it down since!

Oddly enough, I have a Bachelors degree in Mortuary Science. I was in funeral service for 26 years before answering the call to full-time ministry. I have been actively involved in many avenues of church for most of my adult life. I seem to get the most education from the school of hard knocks! There is no better teacher than pain to make sure you remember what you’ve learned! I’ve had my share of God’s rod of correction/discipline in my life while His staff of protection has given me great peace.

Jason Waymire – Executive Pastor

As the Grow Pastor, I primarily oversee discipleship at Immanuel. My biggest responsibility is to provide leadership to our Community Groups. My goal is for everyone, from small children to senior adults, to be growing in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
I love spending time with my wife, Brittany, and my one year old son, Logan. We have a second child, a little girl, on the way. My hobbies include hunting, fishing, watching college football, and generally, anything to do with the outdoors.
I earned a Bachelor of Science at Oklahoma State University and am working on an MDIV at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before coming to Immanuel to serve as Equipping Pastor, I spent 6 years in student ministry.

Carl Lynch – Student Minister

It is a blessing for me to serve our students and directing them into a relationship with our Lord Jesus. I feel some of the best things about student ministry are that I get to act like a student again and lead a youth staff that has a heart for the students. My vision for the future is to see students of the surrounding area get on fire for Jesus and go tell their lost friends. Some of my favorite things in life are my family, hanging out with students and spending time in the outdoors. I have an amazing wife, Amber, and two wonderful children, Kaleigh and Colin. I graduated kindergarten in1985, Pansy Kidd in 1993, and Poteau High School in 1997.

Laurie Thomas – Children's Minister

I have been the office manager at Immanuel since March of 2008. The two greatest loves of my life are my incredible husband, Joel and wonderful son, Jake. I would describe myself as a “Lord of the Rings nerd” and“Christian fiction junkie”. The greatest influence in my life besides Jesus is my grandmother, Jewel, because she is such a wonderful example of a godly woman who is totally devoted to Jesus and her family. My heart is to continually invest in the lives of others in such a way that they see how much Jesus loves them and come in to a growing relationship with Him.

Trina Cornell - Office Administrator

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Hi! I’m Trina and I oversee the main office at the Immanuel Campus. When you call our church, I’ll be the first friendly voice that you hear on the other end of the line. I also handle the Sunday bulletin and help maintain the Church events/activities calendar. If you have any questions for or about the church, I can usually help fill ya in or get ya in touch with the right person. Also, I volunteer in our Children’s Ministry IGNITE! on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. I love playing and being silly with children and have ALWAYS been involved with them somehow in my life. I enjoy helping and watching them grow and teaching them early in their precious lives that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and that they can always count on Him no matter what! I hail from good ol’ Bakersfield, California. (If ya want to get specific, I was born to a mom who was a Wasco Tiger and a dad who was a Shafter General!) I moved to Texas in ‘05 and then moved to Oklahoma in ‘07 where I met my husband Daniel in ‘08 and we married in ‘09. I have a step-daughter Katelyn, she has a big heart for helping others in need. We enjoy flower gardening, landscaping, raising various animals, riding 4 wheelers, going 4x4 driving, having bonfire fellowship and anything outside! When TRAPPED in doors, Daniel usually has a home improvement project going on or is out in his shop, I’ll be either reading, crafting or sewing and Katelyn can be found doing something crazy in her room or playing with her cat or our 2 indoor miniature pinschers. We are also a Foster Care family for children in Eastern Oklahoma. It’s something we all 3 agreed on to help nurture children as their families try to get back on the right track. 

Brandon Lopez - Worship/Youth Assistant Minister

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 I serve at the Pocola campus of Immanuel Baptist Church by leading worship and ministering to students. Worship ministry and student ministry have been a huge part of my life for many years. I know without a doubt that God has called me into ministry and I cannot imagine my life without being involved in some type of ministry. To me there are a lot of elements involved in worship, but it should be mainly focused on lyrics that glorify God. I love to look out at the crowd when I’m on stage and see people worshipping. I’m also involved in youth ministry. I love being a part of the process of discipleship in students’ lives. It never gets old to see students mature into their relationship with God. Apart from ministry, I’m very active and participate in sports like running, cycling, and hiking. I am learning about gardening which is challenging, but worth the effort. Also, I like to read a lot. I graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelors degree in Music Education and I hope to someday continue my education and pursue a Masters of Theology or a Master’s of Divinity. I believe I should always be learning and bettering myself.

Josh Snyder - Worship Minister

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I came to IBC Poteau when I was 3 years old as a youth pastor’s son. There have been so many God loving people at IBC that taught me what worship, discipleship, and leadership that impacted my life to become a fully devoted follower of Christ! God is amazing through everything, his beauty, his mystery, his grace, and so many more, but the one that has always jumped out at me is worship. Sitting on a mountain in Montana one summer when the stars felt like they were on top of me I knew God was calling me to serve him. That night I felt worship like I had never felt worship just me and him. That is what I want to lead others to learn and know that God hears them and that his son’s Grace never runs out! I love how he can use music to break down the heart and draw people close to him! I love to spend time with my wife and two boys most of the time outside on a river, mountain, or forest. But I will take any moment I can get with them no matter where it is! I have an associate’s degree at CASC and an unfinished Programming Degree at UAFS. I plan on going back one of these days when God gives me the opportunity to do so. I currently own Snyder Lawn & Landscape and love helping people and creating jobs for others. Every day is a different challenge and when you think you have business figured out then here comes another curve ball.