John is a native of Beauregard Parish and a graduate of South Beauregard High School. He then went on to Louisiana College where he received his Bachelor of Music degree and where he met the love of his life Tricia! John and Tricia have 3 boys; Kade, Cooper, and Judah and have served churches in Tennessee, Arkansas and Georgia before moving home to Louisiana. He has served on the staff of FBCD since July of 2021.

Nelson is a DeRidder High School alumnus and also a graduate from LSU and NOBTS. He is married to his wife Carly, also of DeRidder, since 2003 and has four children ranging from 8-13 years old. Nelson served as a Youth Pastor in the Baton Rouge area for 9 years and then served as a Lead Pastor in Mississippi for 10 years before God called him back home. His ministry is centered simply on making everything about Jesus. In his personal time, besides anything LSU, you’ll find Nelson in his garage working on wood projects or in a marsh hunting ducks.

Senior Adult Director

Worship Ministry Assistant

Carolyn started her teaching career in 1982 as the band director at East Side Upper Elementary School. She then taught the next 9 years at both East Side and DeRidder Junior High School. After leaving in 1991 she became the Director of Bands at DeRidder High School where she taught for the next 26 years. After “retirement” she spent one year teaching in Newton, Texas where she led the band to receive their first superior rating in school history in concert sight reading. She also serves at the Editor for “The Louisiana Musician” a Louisiana Music Educators online magazine. She tutors students in math and reading at Pine Wood Elementary and now serves as the Worship Ministry Assistant here at FBCD. Carolyn has played in the Orchestra at FBCD for many years. After all of her many accomplishments, she says the best one yet is her one and only grandson “sweet” baby James Herrington!

Office Manager