Our Elder Team


Fellowship Bible Church is governed by a plurality of biblically qualified elders (I Timothy 3:1-7 & Titus 1:5-9) who provide spiritual oversight and guard the doctrine, mission and values of the church.

In prayerful dependence and diligent commitment to the authority of God’s Word, the elders’ role is to determine how the Lord, who is the Head of the body, wishes to direct His church.


Back row: Tony Wood, Bill Wellons, Kevin Virden, Jeff Helton, Bob Benson, John Mays
Back row: Neal Joseph, Hunter Murray, Maridus Kinder, Bob Elrod, Richard Scott, Barry McCall

You may contact our elders at elders@FellowshipNashville.org.


Elder Mini-Bios
as of October 2007

BOB BENSON – age 45
Family Members: Mary (wife), Nick – 16, Molli – 13, Cole – 7
How Long Married: 17 years
Occupation: VP Remote Review Operations, AIM Healthcare
Hobbies: Coaching my kids, hanging out with my kids and attending their activities, tennis, travel, working out, reading, and spending time with my wife.
Originally From: Akron, Ohio
How Long at Fellowship: Since the summer of 1997
Began Serving as an Elder in: March 1999
How Did You Get to Fellowship: Met and got to know Lloyd Shadrach when he first moved to Nashville and lived in our neighborhood.
Favorite Scripture Passage: Too many to pick just one.
Anything else you'd like us to know or like to share? It is an honor, a privilege, and a pleasure to serve Christ by being an Elder and serving his body of believers at FBC.

BOB ELROD – age 50
Family Members: Marya (wife), Jordyn – 17, Robert – 16, Rachel – 12
How Long Married: 19 years
Occupation: General Manager/Service, Johnson Controls, Inc.
Hobbies: Running, biking, golf, family activities
Originally From: Greenville, SC – grew up in Vicksburg, MS
How Long at Fellowship: since 1998 – 9 years
Began Serving as an Elder in: 2001
How Did You Get to Fellowship: Neighbors recommend we try this start up church meeting at Franklin High School – after the first service we knew God wanted us here.
Favorite Scripture Passage: I Chronicles 28:20 – “Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you.  He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.” I Timothy 1:5 – "But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."

JEFF HELTON – age 48
Family Members: Lora (wife), Josh – 17, Sarah – 15, Jacob – 12, Jonathan – 10
How Long Married:  20 years (since July 18, 1987)
Occupation: Teaching Pastor
Hobbies:  Reading, time with children, beginning photography
Originally From:  Cleveland, TN
How Long at Fellowship:  Since 1999
Began Serving as an Elder in: 2001
How Did You Get to Fellowship:  Bob Benson and I were friends in Chicago. He kept telling me about a church plant that he was involved with in Franklin. I came down and met the team in 1998 and several months later we started talking about the possibilities for working here.
Favorite Scripture Passage: So many . . . in this season of my life, I find myself quoting Isaiah 30:15 a lot.

NEAL JOSEPH – age 52
Family Members:  Wendy (wife), Taylor – 23, Elise – 20
How Long Married: 26 years
Occupation: Executive Past