Staff
Rev. Dr. Kristin Adkins Whitesides
Senior Pastor
Rev. Dr. Kristin Adkins Whitesides is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church, Winchester, Virginia. Prior to taking on that role in 2017, Kristin served as the Associate Pastor and Minister to Youth at First Baptist Winchester, beginning in 2005. A graduate of the University of Richmond, Duke Divinity School (M.Div.), and the Candler School of Theology at Emory University (D.Min.), Kristin has taught as an adjunct professor in the religion department at Shenandoah University as well as serving as the 2013-2014 president of the National Alumni Council of the Duke Divinity School.
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Kristin was a 2010-2011 member of the Lewis Fellows Outstanding Young Clergy Program through Wesley Seminary, and has received grants from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary’s College of Pastoral Leaders and the Center for Excellence in Preaching at Calvin Seminary. She has been the featured preacher on “A Sermon for Every Sunday ” and “Day1.”
An enthusiastic teacher and thoughtful preacher, Kristin is deeply invested in how the Bible’s rich complexity and the Spirit’s connectivity can bring joy and meaning to the shared life of modern congregations. She is passionate about creating spaces of welcome and community in a world of polarization and deep isolation. Kristin has been married to her husband, Sandy, since 2003 and they have two sons, Isaac and Samuel, two cats, and one very friendly beagle.
Email Kristin
kwhitesides@fbcwinc.org
Rev. Ethan Hughes
Youth & Young Adult Pastor
Rev. Ethan Hughes hails from the mountains of Western North Carolina. A graduate of Gardner-Webb University with a bachelor’s degree in Biblical studies and a Master of Divinity. Ethan has served in many different types of ministries, from working with local social services agencies as a social worker for aging adults to teaching and assisting teachers in special needs classrooms. Ethan also served as the associate campus minister at Western Carolina University and as a chaplain intern at the Veterans Hospital in Asheville North Carolina. Ethan enjoys playing music, hiking, reading, and enjoying the latest comic book or Star Wars news. Ethan was ordained by Ecclesia Baptist Church in Asheville, NC September of 2020 and is grateful and excited to serve as the Youth and Young Adult Pastor at First Baptist.
Email Ethan
ehughes@fbcwinc.org
Lori Ann Horne
Minister of Music & Senior Adults
Lori Ann Horne is originally from Newport News, Va. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Vocal Performance from Shenandoah University, with additional studies in Opera, at the University of Urbania, Italy, and the University of Colorado, Boulder, Co. She is a former Miss Hampton/ Newport News 1989 and Miss Apple Blossom 1991 and won the Talent Competition at the Miss Virginia Pageant both years, also placing as the third runner up. She sang with Denver Opera Company for their 1992-1993 Season.
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Early on she studied piano, flute, violin, and solo handbells. She was an Adjunct Professor of Voice at Shenandoah University, as well as conducted several Choral ensembles there for 12 years. She studied conducting with Grammy award winning conductor, Robert Shafer, as well as conducted his choirs at Shenandoah University while he was on Sabbatical in 2004.
She is a life- long Church Musician, having worked at Trinity Episcopal Church, Upperville, Va., Braddock St. United Methodist Church, Winchester, Va. and First Presbyterian Church, Winchester, Va. prior to leading in Ministry at First Baptist Church, Winchester, Va. since 1996. She is the Minister of Music and Minister to Senior Adults and has focused on this ministry full-time since 2006.
While serving at First Baptist, she has created a thriving program for Senior Adults which includes a Senior Choir who range in age from 62-99. They have just presented annual concerts since 2000 with great response from the church and community.
She also has a Senior Handbell Choir and arranges trips for Senior Adults at First Baptist. Lori serves on Shenandoah University’s Conservatory Alumni Board. She shares a home with her parents and their two Persian cats. She enjoys running, Pilates, cooking, and gardening.
Email Lori
lahhorne@fbcwinc.org
Alison Wright
Director of First Baptist Children’s Ministry & SonShine Learning Center
Alison Wright became First Baptist’s Director of Children’s Ministry in September 2013. Alison has lived in Winchester since the fall of 2007 when she started school at Shenandoah Conservatory. She graduated in the spring of 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education.
In January of 2022 Alison was also hired as the Director of SonShine Learning Center, First Baptist’s preschool.
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Alison works to engage children and families in spiritual growth together, building a community where children feel safe and loved, while parents feel supported.
Alison and her husband Mason met as students at SU and were married in April 2013. They welcomed their first child, Clara, in February 2016 and their son, Felix, in July 2019. Mason and Alison fill their home with music, laughter and family time.
Email Alison
awright@fbcwinc.org
Dr. Karen Keating
Artist-In-Residence
Dr. Karen Keating is our new Artist-In-Residence here at First Baptist Church. She comes to us with a wealth of experience as organist, choir director, conducting choral music and theatre. She holds a B.M. degree from James Madison University; M.M. from Austria; and a D.M.A. from Shenandoah University. She is a Professor Emerita at Shenandoah University.
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Karen Keating was organist and choir director at Grace Episcopal Church in Berryville, Virginia. She was the mezzo soloist for the Washington Chorus tours of Germany, Austria and France. With fellow Shenandoah faculty member Byron Jones, she recorded an album of cabaret songs, What Have You Done to My Heart, released by Redfont Records. Under her leadership, the Shenandoah Chorus traveled to Roswell, New Mexico, in 2004 to premiere Stephen Melillo’s Beyond Courage, a tribute to veterans of the Bataan Death March. In May 2005, she and the chorus went to Tokyo, Japan, to record the work.
JD Brewster
Music Ministry Intern
JD Brewster is a native of Frederick County. He was introduced to the pipe organ by Judy Connelly at the age of 10. In high school he studied piano with Dr. Elizabeth Caluda. After graduating from Sherando High School in 2021, JD briefly studied Civil Engineering at George Mason University. He then transferred to Shenandoah University to focus on his love for music.
JD currently studies organ in the conservatory with Dr. Wayne Wold. As music ministry intern, JD will continue to hone his gifts for music ministry as he accompanies the Singin’ Seniors, the Piccadilly Singers, and our 8:30 AM worship service.
April Baker
Finance Manager
April Baker was born and raised in Winchester, graduating from Handley High School and LFCC. She is married and has two daughters. When she is not at First Baptist, she enjoys gardening, reading, and sports, particularly rooting for the Green Bay Packers.
Email April
april.baker@fbcwinc.org