Under Christ, the church is led by Elders (another word for Pastors) who are called in Scripture to devote their time to prayer, the ministry of the Word (by teaching and encouraging sound doctrine), and shepherding God’s flock.

Colton Yarbro - Pastor/Elder

Who Are You?

My name is Colton Yarbro. I have been married to my lovely wife Erica since November 2010. We have 4 children (Micah, Gideon, Arwen, and Molly). I enjoy reading fiction and non-fiction in paper, digital, or audio formats. Fantasy, biography, theology, and thriller are just a few of the many genres I enjoy. I also love both playing and listening to music. Anything from the most ambient and soft indie to the heaviest of metals.

What Do You Do?

I am thankful to be the preaching pastor as of June 2024. It is my desire to proclaim God’s Word to his people week in and week out. It is also my aim to shepherd the congregation through making disciples, training up more elders, and living on mission in our town and everywhere I go. I am driven by the glory of Christ and the hope of his gospel for every tribe, language, and nation.

Where Did You Come From?

I grew up in what I affectionately refer to as "the sticks" near the small town of Itasca Texas. My family had many animals (horses, cows, chickens, goats, and all the other things Ol McDonald liked to keep around). I received my Bachelors Degree in Theology from Liberty University, and have served in pastoral ministry in various churches for the past since 2010. I am currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary thanks to the wonderful gift of distance learning.

When Were You Saved?

I grew up in a gospel preaching church where my grandfather was the pastor. I was justified at the age of 7. I didn't know the depths of the gospel, but God brought my spiritually dead heart to life so that I knew I needed Jesus. I was baptized shortly after and had many on again and off again doubts in my later years about whether I was really saved. But God has assured me of my salvation through showing me the growth and affection for his name he has produced over the years that would not be possible if I was still dead in my sins.

How Has The Gospel Impacted You Recently?

The gospel impacts me daily, but most recently it has been in response to feelings of failure as a husband and father. The gospel reminds me that my job as a husband and father is not to try really hard to be amazing at those roles, but to remember that I am already forgiven for the ways I have failed and to set my eyes on Jesus and his work and not on myself. The way for me to be an effective and loving father and husband is to love Jesus with all my might by the grace he has given me to do so.

Ron is a native Texan, graduate of Howard Payne University with a Major in Bible and a minor in Greek. He also has many post-grad hours from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. Ron is retired from Texas State Technical College in Waco, TX. He enjoys studying and teaching the Bible, leading music in worship, and what retired people call “puttering.”

Ron’s wife, Patti, is also a graduate of Howard Payne University majoring in Music Education with a minor in Voice. Patti plays piano in the worship services and keeps the rest of the music team on key and in rhythm.

Ron and Patti have two daughters and three granddaughters.

For more information on music at FBC Dawson, please check out our Music Page.