our leadership team

The staff and leadership here at First Baptist Centre is comprised of men and women who love, care and pray for every single person in the church. If you have any questions for any of our staff, feel free to reach out and email them or call our church office to speak with them. You can contact the church office at 256.927.3316.


  • EDDIE NATION

    Lead Pastor

    Born in Paoli, Indiana, Eddie joined our staff in February 2013. He enjoys cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats and loves the outdoors. Brother Eddie feels a strong conviction to share his passion of Christ with others and has been leading people to a closer relationship with Jesus for over 30 years. He holds a Doctor of Ministry Degree and a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, a Bachelor of Science from Campbellsville University, and a Diploma in Christian Ministry from Boyce Bible School.

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  • GARY HARDIN

    Associate Pastor

    Gary, a native of Alabama, has pastored churches across Alabama, Michigan, and Kentucky. He served for nine years with Lifeway Christian Resources as a curriculum, magazine, and book editor. Gary holds a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Gary is the author several Christian books. He is married to Linda.

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  • Tucker Bryson

    Minister to Students

    Tucker, a native of Rainsville, AL, graduated from Northeast Alabama Community College and Jacksonville State University. Prior to coming to First Baptist, Centre, he served in the student ministry at Broadway Baptist Church, Rainsville, and at First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, AL, with the church’s Engage college ministry.


    Bryson is married to Millie, an English teacher at Rome Middle School.

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  • RHONDA MCDONALD

    Children's Director

    Having joined First Baptist Centre in 2016, Rhonda serves as our Children's Director at FBCC. She and her husband Paul moved to Alabama in 2015 from Kentucky and made First Baptist Centre their church home. 

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  • RANDY RAINEY

    Worship Leader

    Randy and his family have been members of FBC Centre since 2005 when he helped start the praise band for the contemporary service. At the time, he had been volunteering as Worship Leader for Celebrate Recovery since May 2004. In 2016, Randy joined our staff as Minister of Music and Media. He is married to Sandie and they have three children: Jay, Jonathan, and AnnaBrooke. He feels that it is his calling to engage people in Spirit-led worship regardless of music style.

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  • ALANA ALLEN

    Choir Director
    Having grown up in Michigan, Alana is a graduate of Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan with a B.A. in music education, an Orff - Kodaly Certification from Memphis State University in Memphis, Tennessee, and an M.A. from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. Alana is also a published composer and plays a variety of musical instruments. She is married to John Allen, a Baptist minister. Together, they have served the Lord in churches and in the field of evangelism for over 46 years. She believes that music is powerful and that it has the ability to touch us, crossing lines of culture and generations, lifting spirits and reaching hearts.
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  • TINA McCORD

    Office Manager

    Tina has been with us at FBCC since 1997, and serves as the financial secretary and administrative assistant to the senior pastor. Tina holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Jacksonville State University, and is a native of Cherokee County. Tina is married to Tim McCord and they have two children: Jake and Jessica.

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  • Melissa Cothran

    Communications & Media

    Melissa graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations.  She has 20 years of public relations experience, and she loves using that experience to share Jesus through quality print and digital communications.  Melissa is married to Chris.  They have three daughters:  Ellie, Sophie, and Ansley.

  • Amanda Painter

    Shepherd's Fold Daycare Director

    Amanda serves as the Director of Shepherd’s Fold Daycare which hosts around 80 children daily. She greatly enjoys working with our children, parents, and the Shepherd's Fold staff. Amanda has two children:  Bree who works in the daycare with Amanda, and Bowden, a high school student.

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  • Chris Cothran

    Recreation Director

    Chris grew up in Centre where he played almost every sport available to him and loved them all!  It wasn't long before he became a recreation director in Boys and Girls Clubs in Georgia where he was selected as a Community Hero and carried the Olympic Torch in 1996.  He transitioned into coaching college volleyball at Northwest Shoals Community College and Mississippi State University before starting an athletic instruction business where he taught volleyball, basketball, and golf. Chris is also the Huntsville Local Tour Director for U.S. Kids Golf.  


    Chris has a Bachelor of Science in General Studies with an emphasis on recreation, communications, and psychology from Shorter University.  He is married to Melissa.  They have three daughters:  Ellie, Sophie, and Ansley.

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