Leadership

Pastor Ryan was born on November 23, 1979, in Johnson City, NY. He was saved at the age of seven in his home. At the age of 13, he and his family moved to Rochester, MN and attended Victory Baptist Church. While attending Victory Christian Academy, he began dating his future wife, Liz. After graduation, he furthered his education at Pensacola Christian College from ’99-’02 and completed a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree in youth ministry with a speech emphasis. Pastor Cawley’s first ministry was working in High Point, NC with Tabernacle Baptist Church. He was Director of Youth Ministries for a year and a half. In 2004 they moved to WV and he became the Youth Pastor here at First Baptist Church. He became Senior Pastor on June 1, 2022. In his spare time, Pastor Cawley enjoys sports, drawing, and spending time with his wife.

Pastor Withem was born on March 28, 1952, in Ashdown, AR. He was born again as a junior in high school in Shreveport, LA. After graduating from high school, he enrolled in the Texas Baptist Institute & Seminary in Henderson, TX. Upon his graduation, he became pastor of the East Post Oak Baptist Church near Paris, TX. About two years later, in January of 1976, he moved to Jefferson County, WV, and planted the First Baptist Church of Ranson. Pastor Withem and his wife, Naysa, have two children, and three grandchildren. His present role is Missions Pastor and Senior Saints Pastor.

Pastor Franco Morata was born on September 4, 2001, in Manila, Philippines. At the age of eight, he placed his faith in Jesus Christ following a children's church service in Taguig, Philippines. Two years later, he and his family relocated to the United States, first residing in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, for nearly two years before settling in Bakersfield, California.
In Bakersfield, Pastor Franco became deeply involved in the life and ministry of First Bible Baptist Church (now Orchard Baptist Church). Growing up in the church, he actively participated in the youth group and faithfully served in various ministries. Though he once aspired to become a professional athlete, the Lord redirected his heart toward full-time ministry.
Pastor Franco began his formal theological training at West Coast Baptist College in the fall of 2020, where he graduated in the spring of May 2024 with a degree in Church Ministries. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Bible, continuing to prepare himself for effective service in the Lord’s work.
With a passion for young people and a commitment to biblical truth, Pastor Franco’s ministry is shaped by a love for the local church and a desire to see lives transformed by the gospel. He became the Youth Pastor here at FBC Ranson on May 28th of 2025, and is looking forward to making a difference in young people’s lives for the cause of Christ. His life philosophy is simple:
“Take ministry seriously, but don’t take life too seriously.”