About Us
The people behind our church
Pastor Bryon Rush
Pastor Bryon Rush brings a wealth of life experience, unwavering faith, and a servant’s heart to his ministry. After faithfully serving our country in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, he retired and transitioned into a successful 16-year career with the railroad. However, God had bigger plans for his life. In 2015, Pastor Bryon answered the call to full-time ministry as a missionary with InFaith, focusing on Bible studies, outreach, and mentorship for the military community in Southeastern Arizona.
With a passion for teaching God’s Word, Pastor Bryon holds a Diploma of Graduate Theology in Biblical Studies from Liberty University. His teaching style is rooted in an expository approach—carefully unpacking Scripture verse by verse, precept upon precept—so that every listener gains a deeper understanding of God’s truth and its application to daily life.
He also served as the Minister of Families and Outreach at First Baptist Church of Benson for three and a half years, where he made a lasting impact through his compassionate leadership and commitment to fostering meaningful relationships within the church and community.
Beyond his ministry, Pastor Bryon is a devoted husband to his wife, Emelda, and a proud father and grandfather. Together, they have four children and fifteen grandchildren who fill their lives with joy and inspiration. Pastor Bryon’s greatest desire is to glorify God by equipping others to grow in their faith, share the gospel, and live out their calling in Christ.
In 2025 Liz Engler moved to Willcox from Tennessee with her family and settled right in with First Baptist Church of Willcox. Here she serves as the Church and School Secretary and is honored to be part of a community where she can support others, help things run smoothly, and contribute to the mission of both the church and school. She enjoys connecting with people and being part of the work God is doing through the church and school community.
Liz is passionate about agriculture, education, and, most importantly, Jesus. Her love of agriculture has given her a deep appreciation for hard work, stewardship, and the importance of working together. She also values education and the opportunities it provides for people to learn, grow, and discover their God-given gifts. Her faith in Jesus is at the center of who she is and guides the way she approaches her work and relationships with others. Liz believes that kindness and determination matter. She strives to treat others with compassion, patience, and respect while approaching each responsibility with dedication and perseverance. She considers it a privilege to serve the church and school and is grateful for the opportunity to help create a welcoming and supportive environment for students, families, staff, and the congregation.
Prior to coming to Arizona, Liz founded and assisted a Christian homeschooling co-op, worked in a private school as a teacher and secretary, and was a master small ruminant producer in Tennessee. She has served in the U.S. Air Force as a mechanic and has spent years in various office and security roles. Now that she is an Arizona resident to be closer to family she is using her talents to glorify God and help us grow.
Liz Engler
Rebecca Stevenson
Rebecca Stevenson has been a member of First Baptist Church Willcox since 2017 and has served as our church clerk since spring 2026. As a Willcox native and former student of Willcox Christian School, Rebecca is well tied to her community and brings genuine commitment to our church. Known for her hard work and excellent attention to detail, she is a valuable resource to us at First Baptist Church of Willcox.
Julia Leksell
Julia Leksell is the music lead at our church as of August, 2026! She picks songs and organizes the music for our Sunday services each week. She is wife to Roo Leksell, and mother to her twin girls, Erika and Annalise. Julia is passionate about music, having been the music teacher at Cochise for a period of time. She also enjoys fiber arts, line dancing, and her livestock on her homestead! We are so thankful to have her as our music lead, and if you're interested in helping out with music just let her know.
