Our Leadership Team

Jared Barkman

Lead Pastor

Pastor Jared, his wife Abby, and their three children (Emma, Ellahna, and Jeremiah) have been serving in our church since 2019. In July 2022, our church called him as our Lead Pastor. He has a BS degree in Biblical Studies from Trinity Baptist College (Jacksonville, FL, class of 2006) and was ordained into the Gospel ministry in 2008.

Jared has been in ministry since, serving in pastoral roles in two prior churches in the Ocala, FL area. As Lead Pastor, Jared is our chief spiritual overseer, working with the rest of our leadership team to equip our people for ministry and service to our community. Above all, Jared seeks to glorify God with his life and he prioritizes relationship-building in ministry. He is passionate about helping people experience life change through faith in Jesus Christ. His biblical preaching is dynamic, practical, and relevant.

Jared and his family love living in SW FL and enjoy visiting our beautiful beaches regularly. He loves playing basketball, watching sports, especially FSU football and the Orlando Magic!

Carrie Koontz

Worship Leader

First Baptist Church of Osprey has long been Carrie's home church. She has faithfully served the Lord here many years. Carrie is a gifted musician with a genuine desire to help others draw closer to Christ through worship. She is a local elementary school teacher and also a published children's book author.

Carrie is married to Ben, a small business owner who also teaches our youth group on Sunday mornings and serves as a Chaplain for Motor Racing Outreach. He is an avid motorsports enthusiast and past racer himself. We are excited about how God has and will continue using him to impact racers with the Gospel.