Meet the Staff
Darrell W. Sparks
Dearborn Baptist began as a church plant endeavor of the Immanuel Baptist Church in Florence, Kentucky in 1986. The mission church called Darrell W. Sparks as pastor in December 1986. Ordained in 1978, Pastor Sparks earned a B.A. in Religious Studies, and advanced degrees in Education (M.A.) and Biblical Studies (M.Th.). Deeply devoted to the ministry of The Word (study, prayer, teaching, and preaching), our pastor teaches and preaches with clarity and passion, while shepherding his flock with gentleness and love. Darrell has been married to Carla since 1978 and their happy marriage has produced three daughters and a growing gang of grandchildren. He has authored numerous books, booklets, pamphlets, and tracts to aid Bible Study and evangelism, and has preached around the world in churches and conferences. In August 2011, Pastor Sparks completed his verse-by-verse exposition of the New Testament from the pulpit of DBC, a remarkable achievement.
Gordon R. Shinkle
Gordon has served Dearborn Baptist Church as the Associate Pastor since 2007. Prior to coming to DBC, he pastored churches in Illinois and Virginia for twenty-seven years. Gordon is a "man of many talents" including preaching, teaching, counseling, and facility administration (he's good at building and repairing things!). Gordon is the founder and director of the Crossover Counseling Ministry. One of the nicest men you'll ever meet, he is a genuinely caring and humble servant of the Lord. Gordon and his wife Ruth have two grown sons (and 4 grandchildren!).