About Us
Meet the pastor, elders, deacons, and staff who faithfully lead, serve, and care for the First Baptist Church Mesquite family.
At First Baptist Church of Mesquite, we believe lives are changed when people encounter God, find genuine community, and discover the purpose He has for them. Many who begin their journey with us move from feeling disconnected or uncertain to experiencing belonging, spiritual growth, and meaningful relationships.
We are more than a place to attend on Sunday—we are a church family committed to helping people know God, grow in faith, receive care in seasons of need, and make a difference both locally and around the world. Our team is here to welcome you, encourage you, and help you take your next step toward a life filled with connection, purpose, and hope.
Meet Our Elders
Bernaldo Garso
Tim Steele
Meet Our Deacons.
Julie Burns
Bill Cole
Shelly Davis
Meet Our Church Staff
Dr. Tim Steele
Tim Steele
Intentional Interim Pastor
At First Baptist Church, people are invited to experience engaging worship, biblical teaching, and practical encouragement for real life.
Pastor Tim brings a unique combination of humor, wisdom, and pastoral experience to his ministry. With a Doctorate from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and decades of church leadership, he helps people understand Scripture in a way that is clear, relatable, and applicable to the challenges they face every day.
Tim has helped revitalize six churches, guiding congregations toward renewed health, stronger ministry, and greater community impact. Under his leadership, First Baptist Church is growing in its commitment to help people take meaningful next steps through age-based ministries, life groups, and care ministries that support individuals and families in every season of life.
In addition to his pastoral ministry, Tim is also a professional comedian who has performed in comedy clubs, corporate events, and churches. His ability to communicate with both humor and depth allows people to feel at ease while being challenged by the truth of God’s Word.
Tim’s heart is to help people move beyond simply attending church and discover a place where they can worship God, build meaningful relationships, grow in faith, and find hope for the real issues of life.
Pastor Tim brings a unique combination of humor, wisdom, and pastoral experience to his ministry. With a Doctorate from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and decades of church leadership, he helps people understand Scripture in a way that is clear, relatable, and applicable to the challenges they face every day.
Tim has helped revitalize six churches, guiding congregations toward renewed health, stronger ministry, and greater community impact. Under his leadership, First Baptist Church is growing in its commitment to help people take meaningful next steps through age-based ministries, life groups, and care ministries that support individuals and families in every season of life.
In addition to his pastoral ministry, Tim is also a professional comedian who has performed in comedy clubs, corporate events, and churches. His ability to communicate with both humor and depth allows people to feel at ease while being challenged by the truth of God’s Word.
Tim’s heart is to help people move beyond simply attending church and discover a place where they can worship God, build meaningful relationships, grow in faith, and find hope for the real issues of life.
Rick Hartegan
Rick Hartegan
Church Administrator
For nearly 40 years, Rick helped businesses, suppliers, and industry leaders make smarter decisions in the home center and building materials industry. With experience at the corporate, regional, and area levels, he understood the challenges companies faced in procurement, facility design, promotional strategy, vendor relationships, and long-term growth.
Throughout his career, he served in key leadership roles, including Divisional Merchandiser for one of the nation’s largest timber products suppliers and Regional Merchant for a leading residential construction supplier. His work included negotiating contracts with manufacturers and wholesalers, developing programs for large multi-state chains, and collaborating with respected leaders in the industry, including a former Vice President of Home Depot.
Because of his deep knowledge and practical experience, Rick was invited to share his insight as a guest lecturer at a prominent university in San Diego and was quoted in various trade journals. His passion is helping others understand the industry more clearly, make better strategic decisions, and move forward with confidence.
A native of San Diego, Rick attended Grossmont College and San Diego State University, where he majored in Political Science. He also competed successfully in track and field, setting a relay record that stood for more than 30 years. He now brings this same experience, insight, and leadership to helping First Baptist Church operate more strategically and efficiently.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Rick is most grateful for his family. He has been married for 52 years to his wonderful wife, and together they are blessed with two sons and three grandchildren. He loves serving the Lord and loves First Baptist Church.
Throughout his career, he served in key leadership roles, including Divisional Merchandiser for one of the nation’s largest timber products suppliers and Regional Merchant for a leading residential construction supplier. His work included negotiating contracts with manufacturers and wholesalers, developing programs for large multi-state chains, and collaborating with respected leaders in the industry, including a former Vice President of Home Depot.
Because of his deep knowledge and practical experience, Rick was invited to share his insight as a guest lecturer at a prominent university in San Diego and was quoted in various trade journals. His passion is helping others understand the industry more clearly, make better strategic decisions, and move forward with confidence.
A native of San Diego, Rick attended Grossmont College and San Diego State University, where he majored in Political Science. He also competed successfully in track and field, setting a relay record that stood for more than 30 years. He now brings this same experience, insight, and leadership to helping First Baptist Church operate more strategically and efficiently.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Rick is most grateful for his family. He has been married for 52 years to his wonderful wife, and together they are blessed with two sons and three grandchildren. He loves serving the Lord and loves First Baptist Church.
Terri Steele
Terri Steele
Praise Team Director
Terri Steele serves as the Praise Team Director at First Baptist Church, where she helps create worship experiences that lead people to encounter God, lift their hearts in praise, and grow deeper in their faith.
With a lifetime of musical excellence and ministry experience, Terri understands that singing is more than music—it is an opportunity for people to respond to the goodness, grace, and truth of God. She has been singing and leading worship in churches since childhood, developing a deep passion for helping others connect with God through songs that are both meaningful and Christ-centered.
Terri’s musical background includes international ministry with the Continental Singers, based in the United Kingdom, where she traveled and ministered through music across multiple countries. She also trained professionally for eight years and was honored as the Colorado State High School Singing Champion.
In addition to her musical training, Terri holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business and an MBA, bringing both creative excellence and strong organizational leadership to her role. Her heart is to serve the church by building worship environments that are thoughtful, welcoming, and spiritually focused.
Through her leadership, Terri desires to help every person who walks into First Baptist Church move beyond simply attending a service and experience the joy of worshiping God with faith, gratitude, and purpose.
With a lifetime of musical excellence and ministry experience, Terri understands that singing is more than music—it is an opportunity for people to respond to the goodness, grace, and truth of God. She has been singing and leading worship in churches since childhood, developing a deep passion for helping others connect with God through songs that are both meaningful and Christ-centered.
Terri’s musical background includes international ministry with the Continental Singers, based in the United Kingdom, where she traveled and ministered through music across multiple countries. She also trained professionally for eight years and was honored as the Colorado State High School Singing Champion.
In addition to her musical training, Terri holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business and an MBA, bringing both creative excellence and strong organizational leadership to her role. Her heart is to serve the church by building worship environments that are thoughtful, welcoming, and spiritually focused.
Through her leadership, Terri desires to help every person who walks into First Baptist Church move beyond simply attending a service and experience the joy of worshiping God with faith, gratitude, and purpose.
Julie Burns
Julie Burns
Treasurer
My husband and I moved to Mesquite in 2014 after retiring, and we joined the First Baptist Church family in early 2015. He retired after 25 years in law enforcement, while I retired following a long and rewarding career in accounting and financial management.
I studied Accounting and Computer Management and began my career supporting an integrated accounting system for the lumber and building materials industry. My accounting background allowed me to help clients understand how their sales and inventory activity affected their financial records. I also regularly worked with their CPAs, bankers, and tax professionals.
I later became an independent consultant, helping clients use their accounting systems more efficiently. After nearly 10 years of extensive travel, I accepted a position as Controller for a large Ace Hardware business in California. In that role, I supervised seven accounting clerks, reported directly to the owner, and served on the company’s Board of Directors.
More recently, I worked for five years as a bookkeeper with Integratax in Mesquite, managing the financial records of six clients from several different industries. One of those clients was a growing church, which gave me the opportunity to develop additional knowledge of church accounting. I am grateful for the opportunity to use my experience to serve First Baptist Church and support its ministries.
I studied Accounting and Computer Management and began my career supporting an integrated accounting system for the lumber and building materials industry. My accounting background allowed me to help clients understand how their sales and inventory activity affected their financial records. I also regularly worked with their CPAs, bankers, and tax professionals.
I later became an independent consultant, helping clients use their accounting systems more efficiently. After nearly 10 years of extensive travel, I accepted a position as Controller for a large Ace Hardware business in California. In that role, I supervised seven accounting clerks, reported directly to the owner, and served on the company’s Board of Directors.
More recently, I worked for five years as a bookkeeper with Integratax in Mesquite, managing the financial records of six clients from several different industries. One of those clients was a growing church, which gave me the opportunity to develop additional knowledge of church accounting. I am grateful for the opportunity to use my experience to serve First Baptist Church and support its ministries.
Gracia Hinesh
Gracia Hinesh
Church Secretary
Gracia Hinesh serves as the Church Secretary at First Baptist Church, where she helps people feel welcomed, supported, and connected from the moment they reach out to the church.
For the past six years, Gracia has faithfully served in this important role, helping the church stay organized, communicate clearly, and respond well to the needs of the congregation and community. She understands that behind every phone call, question, form, or visit is a person who wants to feel seen, valued, and cared for. She has played a meaningful role in helping individuals feel accepted and at home within the church family. Her ability to connect with people, listen with kindness, and offer practical help reflects the heart of First Baptist Church.
In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Gracia has also been actively involved in the church’s medical ministry, where she has helped Mesquite residents with medical equipment needs that are loaned out through the church.
Highly organized and an effective problem-solver, Gracia brings both excellence and compassion to her work. Through her service, she helps create an environment where people can take their next step with confidence, knowing they are not just being helped—they are being cared for.
For the past six years, Gracia has faithfully served in this important role, helping the church stay organized, communicate clearly, and respond well to the needs of the congregation and community. She understands that behind every phone call, question, form, or visit is a person who wants to feel seen, valued, and cared for. She has played a meaningful role in helping individuals feel accepted and at home within the church family. Her ability to connect with people, listen with kindness, and offer practical help reflects the heart of First Baptist Church.
In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Gracia has also been actively involved in the church’s medical ministry, where she has helped Mesquite residents with medical equipment needs that are loaned out through the church.
Highly organized and an effective problem-solver, Gracia brings both excellence and compassion to her work. Through her service, she helps create an environment where people can take their next step with confidence, knowing they are not just being helped—they are being cared for.