LEADERSHIP
1 Timothy 3:1-7 (NIV)
Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
LEADERS
Elder Ronnie Qualls
Ronnie Qualls serves as an elder of Bowlegs FBC. He was saved in April of 1985 and has served as Pastor from 2020 until June 2024 when two more brothers were ordained as Co-Elders with him. He has been married to Randi since August 9, 1985 and they have five children, going on nine grandchildren. Ronnie felt a call to ministry in 1987 and began preaching when he had an opportunity which led to becoming a pastor and evangelist. He has pastored for over 30 years in six churches, served in prison ministries, nursing homes and street evangelism. He has a love for the local church and a desire to see churches get back to being biblical in their teaching, preaching and fellowship. He has been a conference preacher and started the “Small Church Conference,” held the last weekend in July annually. One of his favorite verses is from Acts 4:13 where it says, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” The reason he loves this verse is because he has had no formal education or training but has learned from Jesus’s word. Ronnie loves spending time with Randi, mountain biking, going hiking and golf when he gets the opportunity.
Elder Rodney Troglin
Rodney’s Christian journey began in 1986 when he was saved by His grace at Midway Baptist Church, Wewoka, OK. In 1992 he met his future bride-to-be. Her father “urged” him to be faithful to God and his house. From that point on his father in law has been one of his greatest mentors. Soon after, in 1994 he began leading worship at Bowlegs FBC. He married his high school sweetheart in 1997 and they now have 5 adult children. Through the years Rodney has been the music minister, teacher, deacon and fill in pastor. He was ordained as an Elder in July 2024. He loves the people God has entrusted him to shepherd.
Elder Nathan Cross
Nathan Cross has been faithfully serving as a pastor at Bowlegs FBC since June, 2024. He is dedicated to teaching and living out the truths of the Bible, adhering to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. Nathan is blessed with a wonderful family. He has been married to wife, Kyla, for 13 years. Together they have four daughters; Brylie, Addisyn, Haley, and Tula. Nathan is deeply grateful for the love and support of his family, which is a cornerstone of his Ministry. In addition to his pastoral duties, Nathan owns and manages multiple business’s in the community. The unique blend of ministry and business allows him to bring a practical and dynamic perspective to his leadership at Bowlegs FBC. Nathan’s passion is to proclaim Christ and uphold the core doctrines of biblical Christianity. He is committed to the spiritual growth and well-being of his congregation, always striving to redeem the time and spread the Gospel in a world that needs it more than ever.
Deacons:
Bob Cross, Tim Hooper, Bill Hart, Dean Debtor and Rick Leahy
In the Bible, elders are entrusted with the task of shepherding the church and providing wise, godly leadership. In Titus 1:5-9, Paul instructs Titus to appoint elders in every town, emphasizing the importance of having mature, faithful leaders in the church. Elders are called to oversee the spiritual well-being of the congregation, teach sound doctrine, and protect the church from false teachings and division. Their role is crucial in ensuring that the church remains grounded in the truth of God's Word and continues to grow in unity and maturity. By following the biblical model of an elder-led church, believers can experience the guidance, care, and wisdom that God intends for His people.