CB Glidden, Pastor
Pastor CB Glidden has led the congregation of Fort Worth First since November, 1994. A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Pastor CB graduated from Mid America Nazarene University and attended Nazarene Theological Seminary. He and his wife Becky met at Mid America and have four children, Lauren (a recent graduate of Southern Nazarene University), Ben (also a student at Southern Nazarene University), Courtney & Julia (who attend the NCA). For fun, CB loves to be outdoors; whether it be hunting, fishing on his boat or in the mountains, etc!
You can contact Pastor Glidden at cglidden@fwf.org
Dave Tharp, Pastor of Worship
Dave and Cindi came to Fort Worth First in June of 2007. Dave and Cindi have served over the past 19 years in Maryland, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and currently in the great state of Texas. Their children are Dr. David and Deidre Tharp who reside in Marion, OH, Tim and his wife Jessica, who are living here in Fort Worth, Tessa a nursing major at Southern Nazarene University and Sam who is also attending Southern Nazarene University. “The desire of our hearts is to see people recognize and respond to the Spirit of God in worship and have a living encounter with the Most High God.”
Contact Pastor Tharp at dtharp@fwf.org
Josh Boice, Youth Pastor
Josh and his wife Leah are nearing upon their one year anniversary as youth pastor here at FWF! Both graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University and have been serving in the Nazarene church in the State of Tennessee for the last few years. They have one daughter, Cecilia Grace. Josh and Leah have a great passion for Christ and for serving and building His kingdom. We are excited for the plans God has for the Boice family and the youth of FWF.
Jennifer Sommers, Children's Pastor
Jennifer has been the Children’s Director of Fort Worth First since 2004. Prior to joining the staff, she served as the elementary/secondary music teacher for Nazarene Christian Academy and has been actively involved in children’s ministry at the church since 1999. Children are one of God’s most precious creations and she strives to care for them as He does. Jennifer desires to meet children at their point of need and help them to begin and then deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ. She is passionate about worship and leading kids to find and use their God-given talents in service to Him. Jennifer strives to minister in creative and fun ways that are relevant to children’s lives. She will, on occasion, get “slimed” or turned into a banana split if she believes that’s what it takes to reach kids for Jesus.
Jennifer and her husband, Dan, along with their two kids, Isaiah and Rebekah, enjoy ministering together and serving with the people of Fort Worth First. In their free time, they enjoy going to Texas Rangers baseball games, watching movies, and riding motorcycles.
Contact Jennifer at jsommers@fwf.org
Clint Grimes, College/Young Adult Pastor
Clint is coming back home to Fort Worth First as the new College/Young Adult Pastor. Clint grew up in Crowley and has been a member of the Nazarene Church for over 10 years.
He graduated from Southern Nazarene University with a Theology/Business degree, and spent the following year teaching 4th grade at a private, Christian school in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
Clint’s heart is for today’s young adults to be radically transformed by the message of Jesus Christ in a way that impacts all areas of society for both now and the future.
Contact Clint at cgrimes@fwf.org
April Roark, Director, The Training Depot
April has been the Director of the Training Depot since 2011. Prior to working at the Training Depot, April was a teacher for the Joshua ISD and Nazarene Christian Academy. April and husband Chuck have two children, Sara and Brittany. When she's not working April enjoys reading and spending time with her family.
Contact April at aroark@fwf.org
Kathie Starks, Principal, Nazarene Christian Academy
Ms. Kathie Starks has been the principal of Nazarene Christian Academy since 2007. Prior to becoming the principal she served as the Guidance Counselor for the academy for the previous two years. She started teaching 5th grade at NCA in 1999. She is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has her master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Ms. Starks has a heart for all children of all ages to not only grow academically, but also to grow in spirit and integrity. The motto of NCA is “Educating for Today and for Eternity” which she definitely believes is the goal for each student.
Kathie has three beautiful daughters and five grandchildren. She also works in the Children’s ministry at Fort Worth First. She has felt a calling on her life to reach and teach children about Jesus Christ. Her hobbies are reading, working Sudoku puzzles, and enjoying the company of her dog.
Contact Kathie Starks at kstarks@fwf.org
Jayne Lee, Office Manager
Jayne Lee & her family have been a part of Fort Worth First since 1994. Jayne has served in many various roles in the church throughout her life…growing up in the Carnegie, Oklahoma church, serving in the Norman, Oklahoma Grace church during college, and in the Duncan, Oklahoma Oak Avenue church for 19 years before moving to Fort Worth. Jayne is an alumni of SNU (well, it was Bethany Nazarene College in the 70’s!).
Jayne and her husband, Lynden, have four children – Bryan and wife April (Hansen), Lindsey and husband Ryan Whitaker, Travis and wife Calitia (Croy), and Stephanie and husband Eric O'Neal. All have graduated from SNU.
Jayne loves spending time with her family, cheering on the OU Sooners, playing the piano for leisure, and playing with her adorable grandchildren – Owen, Alec, & Chase Whitaker and Anderson & Annabelle Lee.
Contact Jayne Lee at jlee@fwf.org