The Rev. Wallace W. Bubar, Pastor
Wallace has been Pastor of First Baptist Church since September 2001. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, he is a 1995 graduate of Baylor University , where he majored in Religion and Philosophy. He graduated summa cum laude, and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He received a Master of Arts degree from the University of Chicago Divinity School , where he concentrated in American religious history. He then spent one year as an exchange student at the Georg-August-Universität in Göttingen, Germany, pursuing theology and church history. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Emory University in Atlanta, where he focused on worship and preaching, and won the John W. Rustin Award for Outstanding Preaching.

Wallace was ordained as a minister in the American Baptist Churches USA in August 2001. Prior to coming to First Baptist Church, he served as a Pastoral Intern at North Shore Baptist Church in Chicago, and Northside Drive Baptist Church in Atlanta. This is his very first full-time parish position, and he couldn't be more delighted to be here.

Wallace is married to Gabriele Albrecht, a native of Hildesheim, Germany, who teaches English at City High School in Iowa City. In his free time, you might spot Wallace around town browsing the bookshelves at Prairie Lights, attending a concert at Hancher Auditorium, sipping a cappuccino at the Java House, or jogging on the trails in Hickory Hill Park. He also enjoys traveling, particularly in Europe.

Thomas Hamilton , Cantor
Tom has served our church as Cantor since January 2005. He is a doctoral student in Organ at the UI, having studied Organ and Choral Conducting at Concordia College and Luther Theological Seminary. Tom is also a Rostered Associate in Ministry in the Lutheran Church (ELCA), and has many years of experience as a full-time church musician. Tom is married to Carol Hamilton, a nurse at Mercy Hospital, and is the father of three children, Serrie, Ian, and Meredith.

Katie Thrasher , Administrative Assistant
Katie came to First Baptist Church in September 2007. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa, a wife and a mother of two children, Chance and Charlie.