Kelly Knouse
Expansion Pastor
Kelly Knouse serves as the Campus Pastor of Spirit City Church in Ooltewah. He was born and raised in Tampa, Florida and came to know Christ as Lord and Savior at the age of 16. He went on to attend Liberty University, where he played college baseball and completed his undergraduate and seminary degree.
Kelly and his wife, Tara, have seven children and love serving in ministry together. For the last 20 years, Kelly served as the Student and Next Gen Pastor at Idlewild Baptist in Tampa, Florida. Following the Lord’s call to join the staff of First Baptist Cleveland in 2022, Kelly and Tara are passionate about reaching families with the Gospel and expanding the Kingdom of God.
Kelly and his wife, Tara, have seven children and love serving in ministry together. For the last 20 years, Kelly served as the Student and Next Gen Pastor at Idlewild Baptist in Tampa, Florida. Following the Lord’s call to join the staff of First Baptist Cleveland in 2022, Kelly and Tara are passionate about reaching families with the Gospel and expanding the Kingdom of God.
Jordan Easley
Senior Pastor
Jordan currently serves as the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Cleveland—a 7,000 member congregation in East Tennessee. As an author, Jordan’s published works include “Life Change,” “Cheat Sheet for Student Ministry,” “Escaping the Cage,” and his most recent work, “Resuscitating Evangelism,” a book that he co-authored with his father, Dr. Ernest Easley. Jordan is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University and went on to receive his masters of Christian Studies from Union University. Jordan has served the Southern Baptist Convention in several capacities including his role as Chairman of the Young Leader Advisory Council. He also served on the Advancement Advisory Committee and the Evangelism Task Force. Jordan served as a Trustee for the IMB and is currently leading the SBC Leadership Pipeline.
Jordan has a heart for the church, a passion for the Great Commission, and a burden for lost people. He wants to use his voice and his platform to share the gospel and mobilize believers to live on mission. His heart for those who don’t know Jesus is felt in every sermon. With a solid biblical foundation, Jordan seeks to help believers and unbelievers understand and apply God’s word to their lives. In the year 2000, Jordan married his best friend and high school sweetheart, Audra. They now live in Georgetown, Tennessee with their two children Jailee and Asher
Jordan has a heart for the church, a passion for the Great Commission, and a burden for lost people. He wants to use his voice and his platform to share the gospel and mobilize believers to live on mission. His heart for those who don’t know Jesus is felt in every sermon. With a solid biblical foundation, Jordan seeks to help believers and unbelievers understand and apply God’s word to their lives. In the year 2000, Jordan married his best friend and high school sweetheart, Audra. They now live in Georgetown, Tennessee with their two children Jailee and Asher