Dr. Paul Cowles

Friendship Baptist Church of Warner Robins

Dr. Paul Cowles

Senior Pastor

Dr. Cowles has a special appreciation for the value of Christian education as he completed his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management with a minor in Religion at Baptist College at Charleston (now Charleston Southern University). He pursued graduate studies at Luther Rice Seminary and earned a Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral Ministry from Trinity Theological Seminary. He satisfied requirements for a Doctor of Ministry degree in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary.

The Cowles family is blessed with two daughters, two sons-in-law, two granddaughters, a dog, and a cat. Recently, Ann’s father, a retired Pastor, came to live with them as well. Paul & Ann still reflect fondly on their trip to Greece where they retraced the footsteps of the Apostle Paul’s Second Missionary Journey and he was privileged to preach at Mars Hill in Athens. His favorite hobbies include genealogy research, playing piano, travel, and reading. Paul’s life verses include Micah 6:8 and Proverbs 16:3.

Paul Cowles, a native Floridian, was adopted shortly after birth. This has given him a special heart of compassion for adoptive families and birth mothers. He was saved and baptized at eight years of age and grew up singing and playing piano in the church where Dr. Adrian Rogers experienced his first pastorate in Fellsmere, Florida. He moved to Georgia to enter the workforce after graduating from college. One year later, the Lord called him into the Gospel ministry. He and his wife, Ann (a native of Dublin, Georgia), will celebrate their 19th anniversary at Friendship Baptist Church in Warner Robins in March. Friendship is his third Senior Pastorate. He also served as a Music Minister while in college. He is passionate about outreach, evangelism, discipleship, relationship building, and making a difference in the community.

Pastor Paul is the Past-Chair of the Georgia Baptist Children's Homes & Family Ministries Board of Trustees. He previously served on the Executive Committee of the Georgia Baptist Convention and chairs the Credentials Committee of the Rehoboth Baptist Association. He is a charter member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. Ann plays keyboard and organ in the church’s music ministry and leads the Friendship Women’s Ministry.

Jim Williams

Jim surrendered to the ministry in 2003 and has been on staff at Friendship since 2016. He grew up in Montezuma, Georgia and has been married to his best friend, Jennifer, since 1998. Their daughter, Savannah lives in Louisville, Kentucky with her husband, Johnathan, while he pursues an MDiv from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jim earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Georgia Southwestern State University in special education and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Jim loves coffee, chocolate, peanut butter, repurposing/refinishing furniture, spending time with his friends, family and students. Jim has a heart for building relationships with students, their parents, and equipping them to be life-long disciples who make disciples.

Chad Gibson

Chad began serving on staff as the Worship and Music Associate in 2017 and transitioned to lead our worship ministry as the Music/Worship Leader in January of 2024. A native of Tennessee, he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Meteorology from Florida State University, a Masters of Communication from the University of South Alabama, and a Masters of Military Art and Science from Air University. A Colonel, with more than 30 years in the Air Force, he is also an adjunct professor for Kennesaw State University. Chad has performed in more than 38 countries and 41 states as a vocalist and musician for the United States Air Force and continues to minister through music in concerts across the southeast U.S. Chad and his wife, high school sweetheart and best friend, Stephanie, have three children: Maddi 24, Presley 11, and Aaron 10.

Stephanie Gibson

Stephanie is a military spouse and mom to four children, two of whom are still at home, Stephanie graduated from Valdosta State University in May of 2023. She is married to her high school sweetheart and best friend, Chad, and enjoys theater, music, and spontaneous adventures. Stephanie has been a part of church ministry since her early teenage years where she served in the puppet ministry in children’s church. She has also served in many areas of ministry in her local church including children’s ministry. Most recently she has directed a christian preschool program. She has a love for children and desires to meet their unique needs and interests, ensuring that they feel safe, seen, heard, and loved.