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John Hinze began his ministry at First Baptist Church on June 14, 2009. Pastor John and his wife, Marcia, the former Marcia R. Jordan of Artesia, have returned to East Central New Mexico from Carlsbad, where he had been pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church for the past 11 years.
Previously Hinze served as pastor of Mayhill Baptist Church, 1990-96; pastor, New Testament Baptist Churrch, Portales, 1985-90; assistant Baptist Student Union director, ENMU, 1988-90; youth and outreach director, Forrest Heights Baptist Church, Clovis, 1983-85; and associate pastor, Sioux City (Iowa) Baptist Church, 1981.
Pastor Hinze was licensed to the gospel ministry by Forrest Heights, Clovis, in 1984 and ordained by New Testament, Portales, in 1985.
The Hinzes have been married since 1982. They have two grown children, Alyssa Rae and Jordan Edward, and two granddaughters Elizabeth and Atley, a grandson Ethan Anthony.
Pastor John loves to be involved in the community so currently he is the chief of rural one fire department for Quay County, and the chaplan for Tucumcari police deptartment. He also loves to help the ranchers work their cows so he spends several days a year riding his horse Wyatt and getting to know people he may not otherwise meet in his daily duties.
Pastor John loves serving the Lord in New Mexico and wants to give a personal invitation to anyone to come and visit First Baptist and he says, "I know you will feel the love and fall in love with the people just like He has."
Nathaniel Landon White born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, became a Christian at the very early age of 8 at Hoffmantown Church in ABQ. That same year Nathaniel began taking guitar lessons and started his first band. By age 11 Nathaniel began his in-depth musical training and by High School had many successful Contemporary Christian bands, of which he released 2 contemporary albums and 1 Traditional Album.
His music ministry began at age 16 when he was hired at Sandia Presbyterian Church in ABQ, as their Contemporary Music Director. By age 21 Nathan had already served as either a director or as an assistant director in 3 churches.
His greatest training opportunity came in 2005 when he began studying and assisting former Opera Singer and current Worship Leader Steve Gokool at St. Stephens United Methodist Church in ABQ. Under Steve’s instruction Nathan learned to play multiple instruments, compose, conduct and teach. It was during his time at St. Stephens that Nathaniel also was commissioned to compose multiple songs for many of ABQ local Christian bands.
In 2007 Nathaniel had the greatest accomplishment of his life when he married his wife of now eleven years, Haley. Also, in 2007 Nathaniel was accepted to the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music where he not only began his studies, but an opera career as well. During, his time at DU from 2007-2013, Nathaniel achieved a Bachelors and Master’s of Music degree and performed such opera roles as “Escamillo” in Carmen, “Papageno” in Die Zauberflote, “Gianni Schicchi” in Gianni Schicchi and “Valentin” in Faust.
In 2008, he released his first solo Worship album, “A Way to Worship”, which had 3 number 1 local hits and sold 10,000 copies.
After the birth of his beautiful daughter, Naomi, now seven, in 2011, Nathaniel began winding down his career in opera and began his plans to return to music ministry. Since that time, Nathaniel has served at Sandia Baptist Church in ABQ as Assistant Music Director, First Baptist Church of ABQ, as interim Music Director, and back at St. Stephens United Methodist Church as Music Director, until recently moving to First Baptist Church of Tucumcari in 2018. Also in 2018, Nathaniel founded a new ministry entitled “Pure Note Ministries”. This ministry is designed to educate the body of Christ on the bibles principles concerning music and worship, so that the so called “Worship Wars” might be brought to close. You can find out more about the ministry and its informative podcast on YouTube.
Nathaniel feels so blessed to be apart of the First Baptist Tucumcari family and plans on staying in ministry for as long as the Lord allows. This year he plans to continue his personal growth and continue his education in worship and music, as he will be pursuing an online Doctorate through Liberty University.
Sue came back to work for First Baptist church on November 6th, 2003, She has worked for First Baptist Church off and on for 18 years. Her husband's name is Harold, they have lived in Tucumcari since 1965. They have 3 kids all of who graduated from Tucumcari High School. Sue works on Monday's and Tuesday's of each week. Watch out on Monday mornings when the tellers count the money, She will say "count it again and Show me the Money".
Carolyn came to work at First Baptist on September September 2, 2014. She is the full-time church Secretary. Carolyn works on the audio and visual team as well as teaches Sunday school. She is married to Christopher and they have two sons, Ryan and Dennis. During the spring you can find her at the baseball field.
Judy Cochran
Judy came to work for First Baptist Church on Dec. 1st, 2005. She is a full time employee that works Monday - Friday. She has 3 kids. She is helping raise her grandson Josiah. Judy is a long time resident of Tucumcari, she graduated from Tucumcari High School. " We all watch what we throw away or Judy will say " Why are you throwing this away it's still good" (aka The Hoarder). The pastor keeps telling her " just throw it away!!!!".
