First Baptist Church St. Pauls

Jimmy Taylor was born and raised in St Pauls, NC. He has been a member of FBC since 1985 and has been involved in the youth and music departments. Jimmy began piano lessons when he was in the 4th grade and continued with lessons throughout high school. He took private piano and organ lessons at UNC-Pembroke and was involved in the music department there.

Jimmy became assistant music director of FBC in October 1996 after serving as organist at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Lumberton, NC for a couple of years. He became music director of FBC in July 2010. He is the church organist and directs the handbell choir and the sanctuary/children’s choir. Jimmy is also branch manager of First Bank in St Pauls.

Jimmy is married to the former Shelley Bullock of Stedman, NC. Prior to the birth of their children, Jackson Roger and Hannah Rose, she was an elementary school teacher in Fayetteville, NC. His parents, Mac & Lorraine, are also members of FBC.

His favorite scripture verse is Psalm 150:1: “Let everything that hath breath, Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”.

     Sonja Smith was born and raised in St. Pauls, NC and came to work for First Baptist Church in February of 2007.  She enjoys her job and loves the people of FBC.  In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family.  She is married to her high school sweetheart, Donny Smith, also a native of St. Pauls, NC.  Donny works as Maintenance Manager at Elkay in Lumberton, NC.  They have two children; Danielle and August.  Danielle graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy.  August is a student at NCSU with hopes of going to dental school. 

      One of her favorite scriptures is James 1:2-6.  These verses have given her peace in some hard times. "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.