Leadership
Burrell Crabtree
-Senior Pastor
Burrell Crabtree began his ministry in 1982 at the First Pentecostals of Benton (FPB) by serving as Student Pastor and Administrator of Calvary Christian Academy (K-12 ministry of FPB). In 1984, Burrell added to his ministry by marrying Stephanie Kuykendall of Alexandria, Louisiana. Together, they grew their ministry continuing to reach students through FPB and CCA. In 1990, the Crabtree’s became pastor of a home missions work in Clinton, Arkansas. For close to six years, Burrell served as senior pastor in Clinton. During this time he also served as AR District Section 7 Youth Director and sat on the AR District Youth Committee. In July 1993, Burrell became an ordained minister with the United Pentecostal Church International. It wasn’t until June 1995 that the congregation of FPB asked him to return home to become their Associate Pastor. Burrell and Stephanie became Senior Pastors of FPB in 2007. “God has blessed Stephanie and me by allowing us to minister in my home church.”
Burrell and Stephanie have three children: Rachel, Jessica (and husband, Jared) and Bryan.
James Richard
-Assistant Pastor
James Richard is currently serving the First Pentecostals of Benton as Assistant Pastor. James graduated from Jackson College of Ministries in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1988 with a BA in Theology. He returned home to El Dorado, Arkansas, to become Youth Pastor until 1993 then Director of Sunday School from 1993 to 1996. James has been involved in home mission efforts in Dumas and Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. James and his wife, Renee’, became a part of the First Pentecostals of Benton (FPB) in April 2005. “I fully envision a great spiritual outpouring in Benton and I strive to be a part of it.”
James married Renee’ Wright in February 1992. They have one son, Gabriel. James is a commercial beekeeper and enjoys hunting, fishing and anything outdoors. “I love God, my family and people!”
O.D. Crabtree
-Bishop
O.D. Crabtree serves as Bishop of the First Pentecostals of Benton (FPB). His call to the ministry came during his ten year career in the building supply business. It was then, he began the transition from business to pastorate of the First Pentecostal Church in Sulfur Rock, Arkansas in 1974. O.D. and his wife, Jane, moved their family to Benton to serve as Senior Pastor of the First Pentecostals of Benton in 1979. During his pastorate at FPB, Bishop Crabtree also served in the Department of Home Missions for the AR District-United Pentecostal Church International. It was during this service that he established the “Church in a Day” program. This program provided home mission pastors with a church building, walls up and in the dry, constructed in one day with a crew of workers from various churches across Arkansas. In 2007, after 28 years as Senior Pastor of FPB, O.D. passed the mantle of Senior Pastor to his son, Burrell, and was named Bishop. “Over the 28 years God allowed me to serve as Senior Pastor of The First Pentecostals of Benton, I watched God develop ordinary people into men and women of faith. I have been blessed to have many young men and women grow up in this church and see God prepare them for His work, taking them to places in the Kingdom of God across our fellowship.” Bishop Crabtree holds the longest tenure as pastor at FPB.
Bishop Crabtree has been married to Jane Doolin Crabtree for 50 years. They have four children: Burrell (and wife Stephanie), Jerry (and wife Brandi), Lucinda (and husband Mark) and Pamela (and husband Tim). The Crabtree’s have 11 grandchildren.
Jason Gibson
-Student Pastor
Jason Gibson currently serves as the student pastor for Element, student ministry of First Pentecostals of Benton. Jason has been involved in ministering to youth for over 8 years. Jason and his wife, Heather, became a part of the FPB family in November 2010 and excitedly assumed the Element pastorate in January 2011. "I am amazed how the Lord has used the life experiences of Heather and I to mold and shape young people."
In the coming months, the Gibson's will transition into Young Adult ministry at FPB.
Jason and Heather have been married for 13 years and have 2 children, KayLee and Jay. "I never take for granted the grace and mercy of our God."