Senior Pastor

Martin Rolfs Massaglia (Rawlfs Muh-SAIL-yuh) became senior minister in March of 2006. Born and raised in Western Kansas Martin received a degree in theatre from Fort Hays State University in Hays Kansas in 1977. He pursued theological training at the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia where he earned the Master of Divinity Degree in 1980. During the last semester of seminary Martin was called to the executive staff of American Baptist National Ministries where he coordinated the 150th anniversary of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, now called National Ministries.

The first calling to pastoral ministry came to Martin from the First Baptist Church of Kansas City, Missouri where he served as associate minister from 1981-84 and interim senior minister in 1984 and 1985. He then became pastor of The Royersford Baptist Church in Royersford, Pennsylvania where he served for 20 years.

During that time the Reverend Rolfs Massaglia established small groups as the basic method of providing ongoing pastoral care, fellowship and spiritual growth, helped the congregation cast of vision and adapt their ministry to move toward a ministry more responsive to its changing context; produced and directed a Broadway musical annual since 1991, utilizing as many as 100 members of the congregation and community and artfully connected faith and everyday life for the congregation through his preaching ministry.

Since coming to First Baptist Martin has worked to enhance and build on the congregation’s commitment to mission and service; assist the congregation in fully embracing it’s multi-cultural nature; is working to build and nurture relationships with inner city churches and pastors through the Cleveland Baptist Association; has helped to create a new arts expression that seeks to take art into the community and give children, youth and  young adults new opportunities to use their artistic gifts;  and is leading staff and church members in making First Baptist ever more welcoming and inviting as a community seeking to live life in the way of Jesus. 

Martin is married to Kay Rolfs Massaglia, a fabric artist and seamstress; they have three young adult children.

To email Martin,

Associate Pastor for Adult Education, Small Groups & Fellowship Groups

Stephanie Allen is an Associate Pastor and has worked at FBC since 1998. Currently she works with small groups, fellowship groups, visitation, worship planning, preaching and teaching, Stephen Ministry, covenant groups and congregational care. She has served as the Minister of Youth, Young Adults and Single-minded ministries, Director of Fellowship Groups, Minister of Congregational Care, the Wedding Coordinator and leader for numerous small groups at First Baptist.

She is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, receiving a BA in English and a minor in African-American literature in 1997. Stephanie received her Masters of Divinity degree at Ashland Theological Seminary in 2003 and was ordained in January 2004. Stephanie is completing her dissertation for a Doctor of Ministry degree in the field of Bibilcal Hebrew language and pedegogy and the traditions of Ancient Israel and their practical application to ministry. She co-teaches every other year Biblical Hebrew for a local seminary.

She is married to Mitch, who helps with the youth through teaching Sunday School, plays bells in the Bell choir and is an active participant in the community theater at FBC. Together they have three children: Marin, Caden and Cohen.

To email Stephanie,

Associate Pastor for Church Administration, Childrens Ministries, Media & Technology

Jeff Gordon came to First Baptist Church in June 2006, having served previously as senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Murphysboro, Illinois. As Church Administrator, Jeff has staff responsibility for supervising maintenance and upkeep of the facility and oversight of the financial and business management of the church’s ministry as well.

Jeff brings considerable experience as a church administrator, having served in a similar capacity at the First Baptist Church of Martinez, California from 1986-97 and then for two years as church administrator right here at First Baptist Church from 1998-2000. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, during his first term of service at First Baptist, Jeff was instrumental in the development of our contemporary worship service, and also played an important role in revitalizing our Children’s Center.

Jeff graduated from the University of California at Davis with a major in Plant Science, then received the Master of Divinity Degree from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in 1988. In addition, he received specialized training in church business administration through the National Association of Church Business Administration in 1997.

Jeff and his wife Tammy have two teenage children.  In his spare time, Jeff enjoys renovating his Cleveland Heights home, riding his motorcycle and playing bass guitar.

To email Jeff,

Director of Youth Ministries

Jae Williams began his ministry at First Baptist in October 2007. He is the Director of the Prevention/Intervention Lecture Series Day Camp; Facilitator of Northeast Ohio's "Dope is for Dopes" prevention and intervention program; Facilitator of the Northeast Ohio Mentoring Program; member of East Cleveland School District's Task Force; and a member of the NAACP, SCLC and the Urban League.

Jae is a graduate of John Adams High School, Ashland University, and the Standard Oil School of Management. He is also a 2007 Broadcaster's National Hall of Fame Inductee with 29 years of broadcasting experience in Northeast Ohio. Jae is the executive producer and host of the number one urban inspirational talk show on WHKW 1220 AM titled "What's Up with the Church?"

To email Jae,

Office Manager

Grace Helmuth has served as an Office Assistant for The First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland since June 2001 and then Office Manager since May 2004. Her responsibilities consist of all office procedures and assisting the membership and entire staff for their clerical needs. Grace has worked in an office atmosphere for her entire working career, both in the secretarial area and as a Marketing Coordinator.

Grace has four children and 6 Grandchildren. She enjoys her grandchildren when she is not working and has made music her hobby. She has sung with the Blossom Festival Chorus for many years and is active with another singing group called the Forest City Singers. She also enjoys her church choir at the Church in Aurora, Aurora, OH.

To email Grace,

Administrative Secretary

Star Knuckles came to First Baptist Church in February, 2005 as a part-time Receptionist/Secretary two days a week while working three days a week at the Cleveland Baptist Association as Office Manager/Executive Secretary. First Baptist Church and the Cleveland Baptist Association are both under the wing of the American Baptist Churches/USA. Star brings more than 30 years of experience in all phases of credit, collection, customer service, legal and administrative work. She now joins the FBC family full-time in the front office as Administrative Secretary effective March, 2007, fulfilling the needs of membership and staff.

To email Star,

Director of First Baptist Church Children's Center

Jane Pernicone has been involved in the ministry of The Children's Center of First Baptist Church since 1997 and has been serving as Director since January of 2006. She has been in the field of Early Childhood Education since 1986 and has been a teacher, Center Director, Program Administrator and Professional Development Specialist. Jane has an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from National Louis University. She is an adjunct faculty member at Cuyahoga Community College in the Early Childhood Department.

Other professional interests include working with the Cleveland Association for the Education of Yough Children and the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C. Jane has also been involved in several early childhood committees at the state level and was on the writing team that developed Ohio's Infant and Toddler Guidelines (2006).

To email Jane,

Director of Music and Organist

Dr. Schneider has served as the Director of Music and Organist for The First Baptist Church since 1993.

He is a graduate of the Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. He earned his Master of Music from Northwestern University and his Doctor of Music from The Cleveland Institute of Music/Case Western Reserve University.

Dr. Schneider is the Chairman of the Secondary Music department for the Shaker Heights City Schools and is Director of Choirs at Shaker Heights High School.

He is actively involved in the musical life of Cleveland, he serves as President of Arts Renaissance Tremont, a trustee of the Musart Society of the Cleveland Museum of Art and chairs the Professional Concerns Division of the American Guild of Organist. In addition he has held the position of Dean of the Cleveland Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

To email Bob,

Director of Arts Outreach

Sharon Anderson is Director of Arts Outreach at the First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland.  She brings to this position many years of work in the arts. 

A classically trained singer, she has performed in opera, oratorio, Music Theater and as a soloist throughout the United States and Europe.  After many years as a classical musician, she found her true calling in theater, forming her own youth theater company, The Oberlin MAD* (Music, Arts and Drama) Factory, an organization that she directed for 13 years.  Sharon uses the arts as a tool to reach out to her community.  The MAD* Factory provides high quality training for youth regardless of their ability to pay and specializes in providing race and gender role models. Ms. Anderson received a Congressional Award from Senator Sherrod Brown for her work with the youth of Lorain County.  

A specialist in Integrated Arts Curriculum, she has written curriculum for Affiliate Artists that has been used in schools throughout the U.S. In addition to her work in the arts, Sharon was the Director of The United Youth Group; an ecumenical youth organization based in Oberlin, Ohio. 

Sharon is a graduate in music form Baldwin Wallace College and has studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Oberlin College and with coach Wayne Sanders in New York City.  She also holds a Certificate in Non-Profit Fundraising from the Mandel Center of Case Western Reserve University.

To email Sharon,

Director of Planned Giving

Mike Skerritt joined FBC in 1972 and since then has been involved in virtually every aspect of church life.  He was one of the founders of the Happy Ending Lyric Players in 1976 and has directed a total of 19 Broadway shows.  A member of the Chancel Choir since 1976 and the Contemporary Worship Praise Team since 1999 Mike has been active in the Music and Fine Arts program, collaborating with Bob Schneider in many memorable concerts and recitals featuring internationally known musicians and conductors.  Mike Skerritt's engineering and manufacturing background has served him well as he held the position of Moderator for three years (1999-2001) and served on Council and various subcommittees.  His position as Interim Business Administrator gave him great insight into the financial status of FBC and put him into a good position to become the newly created position of Director of Planned Giving where he could use his training and skill to enhance the financial strength of the church.  He is a strong proponent of the Alpha Program, a stress-free basic Christian education program he has led twice in the past five years. Mike is married to Kathy Mead Skerritt, an accomplished contemporary art painter, and who has works on display at the church as part of the Arts Outreach program.  He has six wonderful children and 13 beautiful grandchildren.

To email Mike,