Dr. Noel Dear
Pastor
Dr. Noel Dear has served as Pastor of First Baptist Nacogdoches since 2017. He has been in ministry since 1987, serving in a variety of roles before stepping into the senior pastorate in 1994. Over the years, he has had the privilege of leading congregations in Mississippi, Alabama, Ohio, and now Texas.
Pastor Noel holds a B.S. in Theology from Liberty University, as well as both a Master of Arts in Religion and a Master of Divinity Equivalency from Liberty Theological Seminary. He also earned a Doctor of Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and was recently awarded a research-focused Master of Theology (Th.M.) from SBTS. His academic journey also includes study at Auburn University, Samford University, Liberty University, Southern Seminary, and New Orleans Seminary.
He and his wife, Donna, are the proud parents of three daughters: Hannah, Emily, and Rae.
Outside of ministry, Pastor Noel enjoys spending time with his family, reading, college football (especially cheering on his Auburn Tigers), and building furniture as an amateur woodworker.
