Meet Our Staff
The ministerial staff of the First Baptist Church in Beverly operate in a Team Ministry, to the fullest extent. The Team Ministry concept is based on the theological principle that all ministries and all persons are of equal value and importance in the eyes of God. In the same way, all ministries and all persons are equally needed in order for the church to function fully and properly.
The model of ministry that Jesus offers us is one of mutuality, partnership, and servanthood. Practically speaking, this means that all the three ministers are on equal footing. All three ministers have been called by the congregation and are accountable and answerable to the congregation. The three ministers share worship leadership, preaching, and all pastoral care concerns as mutually agreed upon.
Who We Are
Rev. Dr. Craig C. Collemer served three churches before coming to FBC Beverly in August of 1996: The Central Baptist Church in Jamestown, RI, the Chepacet (RI) Union Church, and The First Baptist Church of Nashua, NH. Craig has also served as Executive Director of the Ministerial Leadership Commission of the ABCUSA in Valley Forge, PA. He received his M.Div. from Crozer Theological Seminary and his D.Min from Andover Newton Theological School. Craig lives with his husband, Gary LaParl, who is a stained glass artist.
Rev. Julie Flowers is the newest minister on staff at FBC. A 2001 graduate of Wellesley College, she received her M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School in 2007, where she also received the prestigious Billings Preaching Prize. Julie enjoys skiing and spending time with her two dogs, George and Madeline.
Rev. Beth Loughhead joined the staff at First Baptist in August of 1989. Beth served at the First Baptist Church in Newton Centre, MA, at Harbor Me (services for battered women) and in the ABCUSA's Department of Ministry with Youth before coming to Beverly. She received her M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School. Beth is married to Dr. James P. Gubbins, who is an Assistant Professor at Salem State College. They love to travel, with their two favorite trips being to China to bring home their daughter, Anna Mei, and to Cambodia to bring home their son, Matthew.
Dr. Esther Chang Redington came to FBC in 1998 and is a native of Korea who grew up in Canada. She received her Masters Degree from Eastman School of Music, and her Doctorate Degree through a fellowship from the University of Illinois. Prior to her work with FBC, she served as a faculty member of the Canadian Institute of Performing Arts, and served several churches as Director of Music. In 1998, Esther won the Royal Canadian College of Organist National Organ Competition. Esther is married to Bruce Redington and they have a son, Ben.
John Thomson serves as Business Manager of FBC. He graduated from Yale College and received his law degree from Harvard Law. John has extensive experience in real estate law and has served on the City of Beverly Planning Board and the Beverly Historical Society Board of Directors. John lives in Beverly with his wife Loyce, and their two children, David and Annsley.