Our Valuable Staff Members
Eric Bryant was called to be an assistant pastor in August of 1991. He became the principal of Dwight Baptist Academy in December of 1993 and served as principal for over twenty years. Currently, he is the station manager of WGVD, teaches the adult Sunday school class, preaches in junior church on Sunday mornings, and is acting as the project manager for the new multi-purpose building. His wife Sara has worked at Dwight Baptist Academy for over twenty-six years, teaches the junior high girls’ Sunday school class, and is currently serving as the church/school secretary as well as overseeing the food pantry ministry. The Bryants have four children: Christa, Alissa, Janna, and Thomas.
Matt Payne and his wife Heather (Wagenschutz) came on staff in 2013. Bro. Payne is the principal of Dwight Baptist Academy, as well as a Sunday school teacher in the College and Career Class, and the Coal City bus captain. Heather grew up at First Baptist Church and currently helps her husband however possible. Miss Heather oversees the teens with their Pilots School Convention. The Paynes have three children: Jackson, Emily, and Sadie.
Austin Merriott became the youth pastor in September of 2014. Bro. Austin also works with WGVD, teaches at Dwight Baptist Academy, manages the church website, works with different media, and works extensively with Bible Tracts Inc. His wife Rachel grew up at First Baptist Church as the Preacher’s daughter. She helps with the food pantry ministry, coaches volleyball, and helps her husband with the teen department. The Merriotts have two children: Adaleigh, and Lemuel.