Dr. Bob Bender, Pastor has been our pastor since September 2003. He and his wife and greatest supporter, Beverly, have three married children who are also active in ministry in Colorado Springs. First Baptist Church of Black Forest is Pastor Bob’s first Colorado pastorate for this Oklahoman. He has two degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas, and has been in ministry since graduating from high school.
He says, "I am so thrilled to be the servant leader of these wonderful people in this growing, exciting, and dynamic time in our church’s history in the state closest to heaven! This day is truly a new day in the forest." Pastor Bob’s philosophy of ministry is biblical and relationally-based as he says that the Bible is written to assist us in relating responsibly to God, others, and our truest selves empowered by the Holy Spirit and under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.