First Baptist Church of Mesquite has announced that Dr. Timothy Steele has been called to serve as the church’s pastor, helping guide the congregation during a season of transition and renewed focus on serving the community.

Dr. Steele brings more than 30 years of pastoral ministry experience to the role. He holds a doctor of ministry degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and previously served for 12 years as a church planter with the North American Mission Board (NAMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention, helping establish and strengthen churches in Michigan, where the Steeles lived for the last 35 years.

Dr. Steele and his wife, Terri, are no strangers to Mesquite. The couple has been visiting the area periodically since 2006, often coming for golf trips and enjoying the sunshine and the dry, warm climate of southern Nevada. Over the years they grew to love the community and the desert lifestyle. “When it came time for us to think about retirement, Mesquite was the first place that came to mind,” Steele said.

The Steeles moved to Mesquite in September 2025 with plans to enjoy retirement in the community they had come to appreciate over the years. However, shortly after arriving, an opportunity arose to serve First Baptist Church during an important season in the life of the congregation. “We moved here thinking we were stepping into retirement,” Steele said with a smile, “but God had other plans.”

As pastor, Dr. Steele will help the church strengthen its ministries, encourage unity within the congregation and help them focus on vision, community engagement and spiritual growth.

“This is a wonderful church filled with caring people who want to make a difference,” Steele said. “Our hope during this season is to help the church grow stronger, deepen its connection to the community and continue sharing the message of hope found in Christ.”

Reflecting on the unexpected path that led him back into pastoral leadership, Dr. Steele believes the opportunity to serve was part of a greater plan. “Sometimes the plans we make are not the plans God has for us,” he said. “Terri and I thought we were moving here to retire, but instead we’ve been given the privilege of serving this wonderful church and community. We’re excited to see what God will do in the days ahead.”

First Baptist Church, located at 830 Hafen Ln., invites the community to join them for Saturday worship at 5 p.m., Sunday worship at 9 a.m. and upcoming events as they continue serving the Mesquite community