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.

Clyde went home to be with Jesus, Saturday, March the 18th. He was born Feb 6, 1932 and grew up in Oak Cliff, Texas. Many years later in his twenties his life would be changed forever by two different events. The first being that he would meet the woman that would become his wife and "his Betty". She was the love of his life and his world revolved around her. They would spend more than 6 decades together with a special love for each other that was evident to anyone that was in their presence. The second event happened at the age of 28 when the Lord saw Clyde and whispered in his ear "Come follow me". He answered that call and followed the Lord from that moment forward. It was a decision that not only changed Clyde's life forever but also impacted the thousands of lives that he would come in contact with in his ministry over the next 57 years.

Clyde was the founder and pastor of Brook Hollow Baptist Church in DeSoto, Texas. His aggressive and compassionate ministry experienced enormous growth and blessings from its very conception in January of 1967. From a humble beginning of 65, the Sunday school grew to average more than 1,200 attendants. This was largely due to Clyde’s leadership and emphasis on evangelism. For this reason he was also responsible for more than 25 young men preaching and pastoring around the United States with more than a dozen in the mission field. He loved the Lord with his whole heart and wanted to share it with as many people as he could. Dr. Box was known an evangelist preacher and was highly regarded for his work in Bible Conferences across America. Clyde also wrote several books to include the Folded Napkin and the Poetry of Preaching that shared some of his most loved sermons and poetry that will continue his legacy of sharing God's Word forever.

Clyde had a large family that he enjoyed spending time with very much. He loved to spoil his four girls who were all the subjects of his attention every chance he got. Family time was at the top of his list and he loved family gatherings where everyone came to enjoy the company of each other and grow closer. He and Betty knew how to entertain and make you feel at home when you were at their house. Meme could cook some of the most delicious food and give hugs that would melt your heart while Clyde would work the room entertaining with stories and laughter.

He was one of those people that drew you to him like gravity. When you met him you could not help but to love him because it was evident the love that he had for you. He was Clyde to many but Papa to most everyone because no matter who you were he made you feel like family. His incredible life full of love for the Lord, love for his Betty and his family, along with all of the amazing people, places and stories can only be explained by the touch of the Masters Hand. The napkin is still folded and we will see you again Papa.

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.

Pastor Emeritus of Worth Baptist Church

Dr. Raymond Barber has been in the Gospel ministry for more than sixty years. He pastored Worth Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas for thirty-five years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus. Additionally, Dr. Barber has taught Bible college classes, founded the Independent Baptist Fellowship International and the Norris Bible Baptist Institute. He served as President of the Independent Baptist Fellowship International and the Norris Bible Baptist Institute for twelve years.

Currently is President Emeritus of the IBFI, serves on the Executive Board of the IBFI, and is chancellor of Crown Southwest Norris Seminary. He is a member of the Executive Board of the Sword of the Lord Foundation and the Mt. Abarim Baptist Evangelistic Association.

He is the author of several books, booklets, and pamphlets, among which are: What the Bible Teaches, A Dozen Diamonds from Daniel, Family Portraits, Family Success, Profile of a Preacher, Golden Moments with God, Heaven's Hymnbook.

Barber continues to travel extensively throughout the nation preaching in revival meetings, Bible conferences, mission conferences, Bible colleges, fellowship meetings, and gatherings such as the national Sword of the Lord conference and the national meeting of the Independent Baptist Fellowship International.