Dr. Roger D. Willmore became pastor of Deerfoot Baptist Church in February 2005. He has been a Southern Baptist pastor since he was nineteen years old. His ministry passion is to see Christians grow and mature into the likeness of Jesus Christ. His ministry verses are found in Colossians 1:28-29: Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man (person) perfect (mature) in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
Roger is married to his high school sweetheart, Sandra. They have one adult son, Andrew. Roger holds a B.A. from Jacksonville State University; M. Div. and D. Min degrees from Luther Rice Seminary. He was awarded an honorary Doctory of Divinity degree by the University of Mobile, Mobile Alabama in 2006 and an honorary Doctor of Ministry degree by Judson College, Marion, Alabama in 2009. Roger served as the 2001 president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention Pastors’ Conference. He served two terms, 2007 and 2008, as president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention. Roger is a Stephen Olford Fellow, Stephen Olford Center for Expository Preaching, Memphis, TN. and a R.G. Lee Fellow, Union University, Jackson, TN.
In addition to his pastoral duties Roger has been involved in short term volunteer missions and overseas preaching tours throughout his ministry. He has preached in South America, Nigeria, Kenya, Trinidad and Tobago, Bermuda, Jamaica, Haiti, England, Ukraine, India and Japan.
In 2007 he taught in the International Congress on Preaching at Cambridge University, Cambridge England.
Roger’s life verse is Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Adam Carter joined our Deerfoot staff on February 28, 2010, as Minister to Students. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Church Ministries with a Youth emphasis from Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, Wisconsin. Through his experience as a youth counselor at The Wilds Christian Camp in Brevard, North Carolina, his heart for teens began to grow. He is passionate about the salvation and discipleship of young people and has spoken for college audiences and youth conferences across the country.
Rev. David Nelson, Assoc. Pastor of Education/Administration
Paige Nelson, Dir. of Preschool & Children
David Nelson joined our Deerfoot staff on April 30, 2007 as our Minister of Education and Administration. His wife Paige joined our staff on June 17, 2007 as our Director of Preschool and Children. They are graduates of Auburn University. David received
his Masters in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in December 2007.
Paige has received her Masters in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and previously served 6 years at FBC Arab as their Minister of Preschool and Children.
They have three children: Moriah, Thomas and Paul.
Tommy E. Cole, Minister of Music
Tommy E. Cole came to Deerfoot Baptist Church as Interim Minister of Music in March, 2006. The church called his as Minister of Music in September, 2006. He was called of God to the ministry of church and school music in 1956. This gives him over 50 years of experience in the music ministry. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in April of 1980.
Tom received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Howard College, now Samford University, in 1961; his Master of Music Education from the University of Montevallo in 1973; and later the Principal, Superintendent Certification from the University of Alabama.
Tom has served Alabama churches in Birmingham, Attalla, Gadsden, Rainbow City and Alabama City. He has worked as Associational Music Director in Etowah County, District Music Director in Northeast Alabama, and in both Ridgecrest and Shocco Assemblies.
He has one son, Jeremy, who is married to Mandy and one grandson, Walker Bryant Cole. His life verse is Psalm 34:8, "O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in Him."
