Matt Jackson - Lead Pastor

Pastor Matt was named the Lead Pastor on September 19, 2021 after serving as the interim co-pastor since August 2020.

Matt served as the Pastor of Students and Families @ EG-First from 2003-2022.

He has been leading Student Ministry since 1995.

Education: Masters of Arts in Christian Education w/ youth concentration (Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary)-2001, Bachelors of Arts Degree Psychology (University of Central Florida)-1998

Matt was licensed to the ministry at Sand Flat Baptist Church in Cleburne, TX in 2000 and ordained at Second Avenue Baptist Church in Rome, Georgia in 2002.

Certified SYMBIS counselor

Interests and Hobbies: Family, soccer, Coaching Soccer at Palm Bay High School, tennis, flats fishing, landscaping, collecting Mountain Dew from all over the world.

Fun Facts about Matt: Matt is a BIG Florida State Seminole and UCF Knight Fan! Matt also coaches high school soccer and loves to teach the beautiful game to kids! He also has 3 titanium plates in his neck from a water balloon injury!

Matt's Family includes: Christy (wife), 3 children - Lindsey, Noah, and Hannah, grandkids - Finn and Isla

Favorite Books: Anything by David Platt, Danny Akin, JI Packer, Richard Ross, and Voddie Baucham

Favorite Movies: The Three Amigos, The Goonies, Indiana Jones, Nacho Libre, Marvel Movies

Favorite Verse: Galatians 1:10 - For am I now seeking the approval of man or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Email: pastormatt@egfirst.org

Mark Harpold - Associate Pastor - Worship/Administration

Mark has served as the Associate Pastor and Contemporary Worship Leader @ EG-First since 2001.

Pastor Mark also served as the interim co-pastor since August 2020-September 2021.

He has been leading worship since 1997.

Education: Bachelors of Arts Degree in Music and Bible (Baptist Bible College)-1997

Fun Facts about Mark: He went to Liberty with Toby Mac

Mark's Family includes: Melissa (wife), and 5 children (Tommy, Taylor, Blake, Sophia, and Myliah) and 2 grandsons, Ellis and Thorn)

Favorite Books: Books on Leadership and Biographies of Great Leaders and Influential People. Books about Spiritual Disciplines and the deeper Christian walk.

Favorite Movies: Titanic, Pearl Harbor, A Walk in the Clouds

Favorite Verse: Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

E-mail: mharpold@egfirst.org

Tim Harden - Associate Pastor / Traditional Worship and Senior Adults

Tim has served as the Music Pastor and Senior Adult Pastor @ EG-First since 1995.

He has been leading worship since 1971.

Education: Masters Degree in Church Music from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Music Education Degree from Stetson University.

Fun Facts about Tim: He doesn't drink any liquid with his meals!

Tim's Family includes: Debbie (Wife), and 7 grown children

(Timothy, Nathan, Tana, Tim, Carrie, Deborah, & David)

Favorite Books: The Purpose Driven Life, Original Intent

Favorite Movies: The Sound of Music and National Treasure

Favorite Verse: The Lord is my Light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

Email: tharden@egfirst.org

Cris O'Brien - Associate Pastor - Students and College Ministries

Cris joined the Eau Gallie Family in May of 2022. His wife, Emily, is a Registered Nurse and they have one son, Carson and one daughter, Kinley. Cris grew up at Eau Gallie and was a student leader as a teenager. He is now a proud graduate of Satellite High, University of Central Florida, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He received his Master of Divinity there. He served on the mission field in Ecuador each summer during his college days as well. He served at First Baptist Church of Charlestown, Indiana for 4 years before coming to Eau Gallie. He speaks “conversational Spanish.”

More info: TBA

Email Cris: cobrien@egfirst.org

Jordan Jinright /Children and Family Pastor / Technology

Jordan Jinright grew up in this church and now leads our kids ministry!

Jordan volunteered with our kids ministry for several years, trained under former children's ministers, and started his own children's ministry at home (7 kids! 5 boys and 2 girls).

He is married to his awesome and supportive high school sweetheart, Christina, both of whom have been a part of Eau Gallie since they were both teenagers. Jordan loves helping kids and families grow in faith and fulfill their calling as families of God!

Email Jordan: jjinright@egfirst.org