Meet Our Leadership Team
Lyle LaFountain
Senior Pastor
Lyle LaFountain was affirmed by the congregation to serve as Senior Pastor at FBC Oak Island in October of 2022. He grew up in the Tampa, Florida area before moving to attend college at the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he graduated with his Bachelor of Science. Lyle has over 14 years of ministry experience serving students, families, and adults. He is a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary with Master of Divinity in Christian Ministry, a Master of Theology in Preaching, and is currently completing a Ph.D. in Historical Theology. In addition, he has been on mission trips around the globe, leading teams to the Dominican Republic, India, Kenya, and Canada.
Lyle is happily married to his wife Leah and they have four beautiful daughters Lyla, Hadley, Brielle, and Shiloh. When not serving the church he enjoys traveling, the outdoors, camping, sports, and spending time with his amazing wife and family.
Richard Beeson
Minister of Administration and Education
I am a North Carolina native, who grew up and lived in the Greensboro area. After retiring from a 30-year career with the Greensboro Fire Department, I felt a calling to the ministry. I received my Masters of Divinity from Carolina Evangelical Divinity School in High Point, NC. During that time I served as a pastoral intern at First Baptist Church in Summerfield, and later became their Associate Pastor of Administration and Education.
I am married to Cathy, my wife of 46 years, and together we have three adult children, Jennifer Beeson, Mary Joyner (Jonathon), Brad Beeson (Annette), and one grandchild - Hayden Joyner.
When not serving in the church, I enjoy the outdoors and spending time on the local golf courses.
Kris Emmert
Director of Children’s Ministries
I grew up in a Christian home in Charleston, WV with my parents, Chuck and Doris Windham, who later retired to Oak Island in 1997 and joined and served at FBCOI. I graduated from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. I later received a Master of Arts degree in Communications from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA.
While living in Virginia Beach, I met and married my first husband, Lt.Jon Rystrom, a Naval Flight Officer. After 7 years of marriage, Jon was lost at sea in a Naval E2C Hawkeye plane mishap during the humanitarian mission, Operation Provide Promise, and I was widowed.
While serving on staff at First Baptist Church Norfolk, VA, I met and remarried Joe Emmert, my husband of 27 years. Together we have four adult children, Jordyn, Taylor (Will), Cole, Makenzie (Shivam) and one granddaughter, Isabella who was baptized the summer of 2023 by Pastor Lyle and Joe at FBCOI's Ocean Baptism.
I have served in children, youth, music, and women's ministries for over 30 years in various churches in VA, TN, and TX. The majority of my ministry experience has been working with children, youth, and volunteers.
When I am not serving in the church, I enjoy speaking, writing, biking, gardening and walks with Joe on our beautiful island.
Michelle Cheeks
Administrative Assistant
Michelle Cheeks has served in ministry for 30 years, 15 of those at First Baptist Church of Oak Island. Having previous experience as a Children’s Protective Services Worker, Child Development Specialist, NC State Probation & Parole Officer and Mental Health Agency Director, Michelle served the families of Oak Island & Southport for 5 ½ years as Children’s Minister at FBCOI, while also serving in her capacity of Church Administrative Assistant.
Michelle is manager and co-founder (alongside her daughter- Christian Music Evangelist, Megan East Painter) of East2West Ministries. Serving for the past 6 years as Chaplain for the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office has been an additionally rewarding experience for Michelle’s current season of ministry to a broken and hurting world.
Michelle’s favorite scripture is the promise…” Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” Psalm 126:5
Megan East Painter
Director of Music Ministries
Megan East Painter has attended church since she was 2 weeks old and was led by the Holy Spirit to accept Christ at age 9. A classically trained Lyric Soprano, Megan attended Gardner Webb University on a Vocal Performance scholarship. Megan is a member of BMI and the Inspirational Country Music Association, having written and recorded 2 Christian albums and has ministered in song at numerous churches and retreat venues with East2West Ministries, which she founded in 2009 after receiving the call to ministry. Megan has been listed as a Music Evangelist with the NC Baptist State Convention for over a decade. In December of 2021, she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Integrated Professional Studies with a minor in Music from UNCG. Currently pursuing her graduate certificate in Worship Leading at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Megan plans to continue within that program and obtain a Master’s in Worship Leading.
Joe Emmert
Director of Youth Ministries
The son of a pastor, Joe Emmert gave his life to Christ at the age of seven and felt called to preach at fifteen. Primarily working with students and families, he has served in many churches and has traveled the country communicating the transforming and timeless message of the life and story of Jesus Christ.
Through over 35+ years in ministry, he has kept the Great Commission & Great Commandment at the heart of his ministry, recognizing Christ’s clear call to love God and love others.
With a desire to communicate the Gospel to audiences of all ages, Joe’s ministry to our Students at First Baptist Church of Oak Island can be summarized in three words: Simplistic, Creative, and Relevant. “Simplistic enough for our Youth to comprehend, creative enough to capture their attention, and relevant enough for them to apply to their lives.”
His aim in ministry is to challenge our youth at FBCOI to see God do incredible things in and through their lives that only He can do.
Joe and Kris have four grown children plus one precious granddaughter, Isabella.
Eddie and Pam Hicks
Accompanists
Eddie and Pam Hicks have recently retired to this area after serving 40+ years in music ministry as Minister of Music/Worship Pastor (Eddie) and Pianist/organist and Music Associate (Pam). They served two churches in their 40 years of ministry - Southport Baptist and First Baptist Church Mooresville.
Eddie graduated from Carson Newman College, a Baptist college in Jefferson City, Tennessee, with a bachelor's degree in Church Music with a piano concentration. He then earned his Master of Church Music degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
Pam graduated from Carson Newman College with a bachelor's degree in Piano Pedagogy with a piano concentration.
Eddie and Pam have two grown children, daughter Ashton who lives and works in Chicago, and son Perry who lives and works in Charlotte. Eddie and Pam have a passion for worship, and leading others to worship through their music in the local church.