First Baptist Church Bryan
- Location: Bryan, Texas
- Website: https://fbcbryan.org/
- Denomination: Baptist
- Hiring for: Next Gen & Families Pastor, College Pastor
About First Baptist Church Bryan
First Baptist Church Bryan (FBC Bryan) is a fast-growing, multi-generational church located just minutes from Texas A&M University. With more than 6,000 active members and a strong commitment to reaching the next generation, FBC Bryan views leadership as a strategic lever for long-term ministry impact.
Over the course of one year, FBC Bryan partnered with Vanderbloemen on two distinct but deeply connected searches: a Next Gen & Families Pastor and a College Pastor. Together, these roles would shape the church’s discipleship pipeline from college students through families with children and teens.
The need
FBC Bryan wasn’t just filling open seats. They were building momentum.
The church needed two high-capacity leaders who could thrive in a high-expectation environment, align theologically and culturally, and lead ministries with visible influence.
- The College Pastor role required weekly preaching to 300+ college students, leadership of a growing residency program, and deep contextual understanding of Texas A&M culture. Preaching ability was a non-negotiable.
- The Next Gen & Families Pastor role required oversight of multiple ministries, strong pastoral instincts, and the ability to equip parents as primary disciplers, all while leading staff and volunteers with emotional intelligence and clarity.
Both searches demanded precision, discernment, and a partner who could manage complexity without compromising excellence.
The Vanderbloemen difference
Vanderbloemen approached these searches as a long-term partnership, not a transactional placement.
Working closely with FBC Bryan’s leadership and personnel committee, the team invested heavily in front-end alignment, ensuring clarity around expectations, success metrics, and cultural fit. For the College Pastor search, this meant digging deep into preaching samples and evaluating teaching effectiveness with extra rigor. For the Next Gen & Families Pastor search, it meant prioritizing relational intelligence and soft skills alongside experience and leadership ability.
This collaborative approach was built on strong communication and alignment between the church’s leadership and the search team. Clear expectations, consistent feedback, and a shared commitment to excellence shaped the process from start to finish, allowing both searches to move forward with focus and confidence.
The result
FBC Bryan successfully filled both roles with leaders uniquely suited for their context and mission.
- Ryan Oakes was hired as College Pastor, bringing strong preaching ability, leadership development experience, and a natural connection to the Texas A&M community. His skill set aligned seamlessly with the demands of the role, positioning the college ministry for continued growth and impact.
- Matthew Marion was hired as Next Gen & Families Pastor after standing out immediately among final candidates. With over 10 years of ministry experience, Matthew combined strategic leadership with exceptional relational skills, earning strong confidence from the personnel committee and leadership team.
Together, these hires strengthened FBC Bryan’s discipleship strategy across generations and reinforced the church’s commitment to intentional leadership.
Conclusion
FBC Bryan’s story is a case study in strategic hiring done right. By treating leadership decisions as mission-critical investments and partnering deeply with Vanderbloemen, the church didn’t just fill roles, they built a stronger future.
These two searches reflect what’s possible when vision, trust, and execution align. For FBC Bryan, the result is a more connected, discipleship-driven ministry reaching college students, families, and the next generation for years to come.
