Worth Baptist Church

Missions Pastor, Worth Baptist Church, and Missionary to Ghana West Africa

Pastor Stephen Volante was born just outside Boston, but was raised in both Rhode Island and Western Massachusetts. He married his high school sweetheart Laurel Towne from Northampton, and trained to be an engineer at Holyoke Community College in Holyoke, Massachusetts. After working ten years in many types of building construction, Steve felt God’s call to the ministry. He received his training at Heritage Baptist Institute of the Bible, in New England.

During a mission’s conference in his home church pastored at that time by his father, John Volante, he surrendered to serve the Lord as a missionary wherever God would call him. On a mission’s trip to Ghana to visit John Hayes, God spoke clearly to Steve’s heart. He and Laurel left to serve the Lord in Ghana in August of 1995. God was mightily blessing the work, and many were receiving Christ as Savior. However, in March of 1997, God called Laurel home to glory. Steve returned to the USA broken wondering how God would help him raise their three dear children alone. Like only God can do, he brought Missionary Michelle Tilson into Steve’s life to help him live and dream again. They were married on August 29, 1998, and returned to Ghana a year later to continue the work God had entrusted to Steve’s care.

Steve is currently serving as the mission’s pastor here at Worth Baptist Church, while serving as the General Director and African Director for Mount Abarim Baptist Missions. Steve still serves as the senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, in Techiman dividing his time between the USA and Africa.

By God's grace I am a born again believer in Jesus Christ. I am a called evangelist, a preacher of the Gospel. I am experienced in directing a traditional & blended Church Music Ministry including, enthusiastic song-leading, fully graded choirs, orchestra, and special music calendar. I have coordinated every aspect of evangelistic Church events and outreaches. I have led Young Adult Conferences and Mission Trips. I am happy to be a servant of God.

Pastor, Worth Baptist Church

Pastor Tyler Gillit was called to be Worth’s Senior Pastor in January of 2016 after he served on staff for eight years. During that time, he served as the Youth Pastor and Associate Pastor, founded the WBC chapter of Reformers Unanimous, and developed our short-term missions program.

Pastor Gillit graduated with a Bachelor of Biblical Studies Degree from The Crown College in 2006 and a Master of Ministries Degree from Crown Seminary in 2007. He and Tori were married in 2006 and they have two children, Will and Anna. He is passionate about expository preaching and making disciples in Fort Worth and around the world.

Dr. Bill and Marcy Patterson's main focus has been Bible translation and church planting, but they have also worked in training Bible translators, establishing Bible institutes, developing ministries for youth and children, and speaking in conferences. Dr. Patterson is the President of Mount Abarim Baptist Mission International and the Director of the Bethesda Children’s Homes in Tlapa, Mexico. They are member missionaries of Worth Baptist Church.

Pastor of Worth Baptist Church

Dr. Willie W. Weaver was born in Fort Worth, Texas, but spent his formative years in Louisiana. He resides in Burleson with Carolyn, his wife of fifty years. God has blessed Dr. and Mrs. Weaver with two children and five grandchildren.

With a keen heart for missions, Dr. Weaver has always led strong, missions-minded churches known for innovative leadership of missions conferences. His desire is to continue pastoring, to win precious souls, and to take the Gospel to every creature.

Answering God's call thirty-five years ago, Dr. Weaver first pastored People's Baptist in Harrisburg, Virginia for seven years; then Calvary Baptist in Connersville, Indiana for twenty years, and beginning in 1997 through the present, Worth Baptist in Fort Worth, Texas. His local church background includes time as a youth director, and twenty and twenty-seven years in television and radio ministries respectively.

Dr. Weaver has served as Secretary, Vice-President and a three year term as President of the Independent Baptist Fellowship International (IBFI). He was also the President of the Norris Bible Baptist Institute (NBBI) for three years and has served as editor of the "Searchlight", the official publication for the IBFI. Dr. Weaver is presently an instructor at the Crown Southwest Norris Seminary, teaching various courses. He holds a B.D. degree from the Bible Baptist Seminary and an honorary D.D. from Louisiana Baptist University.

Dr. Weaver faithfully served as pastor of Worth Baptist Church from 1997 to 2015.

Dr. R. Terry Riggsby, Senior Citizen's Minister of Worth Baptist Church

Dr. R. T. Riggsby served as Associate Pastor of Worth Baptist Church from 1999 to 2014. He and his wife, Peggy, have been members of Worth Baptist since 1984 when Bro. Riggsby came to Fort Worth, Texas, to begin the Norris Bible Baptist Institute, a ministry of the Independent Baptist Fellowship International.

Dr. Riggsby is currently serving as administrator/teacher of the Norris Bible Baptist Seminary. He served in that post from its inception in 1984 until 1999. During this time, he also served as Managing Editor of the "Searchlight" publication, and office manager of the IBFI. He became administrator again in 2014.

Prior to coming to Fort Worth, Bro. Riggsby, served as administrator and teacher of Calvary Baptist School in Holland, Michigan, which he began in 1978, and served on staff at Calvary Baptist Church for six years.

His first full-time ministry was at his home church, Dayton Baptist Temple, Dayton, Ohio, where he served as administrator and teacher as Temple Christian School, which he helped establish in 1967 and later served as administrator from 1974-1978.

Dr. Riggsby served in the public school system for ten years in his home town of Vandalia, Ohio, where he was teacher, assistant principal at the Morton Junior High for six years, and then became principal of the Vandalia Elementary School for four years.

He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Ohio University and Master's Degree from Wright State University. He was awarded an honorary Doctor's Degree from Louisiana Baptist University in 1997.

Bro. and Mrs. Riggsby were both saved in 1965 and have served the Lord in many capacities over the years. They have been in Sunday school work for thirty-eight years and currently teach the Liberty Sunday School class. They have four children, Mark, Amy, Rebekah, and Joshua and ten grand children, all of whom live in the Fort Worth area.

Dr. Dan Knickerbocker