Bob & Shari Fant - Pastor
Pastor Bob Fant came to First Assembly of God in Springdale, AR in May of 1996. Prior to that time he had served as Pastor of First Assembly of God in Wynne, AR for over 15 years. He also has served as Pastor of First Assembly of God in DeWitt, AR and Sand Hill Assembly of God in Doddridge, AR.

Pastor Fant and his wife, Shari, have two daughters, Heather Lonneman and Andra Smith. They have four grandchildren: Hunter, Caroline, Samuel, and Ashton. Pastor Fant has served in several capacities with the Arkansas District Council of the Assemblies of God, having served as a Sectional Youth Rep, Sectional Christian Education Rep, Sectional Presbyter for two sections, and, for over 19 years, as an Executive Presbyter of the Arkansas District Council.

Community involvement has included serving as an elected member of the Bright Star School District, serving as an appointee of the Governor of Arkansas to the Arkansas School Health Council, and serving for 10 years as a commissioner for the Wynne, AR Water Utilities. Pastor Fant is presently serving his sixth term on the City Council, having been re-elected in November of 2008.

The pastor states that he believes First Assembly of God must be the Pentecostal voice of Northwest Arkansas if it is to fulfill God’s mandate. In order to accomplish this, First Assembly of God is endeavoring to be a church where individuals can worship freely while growing spiritually.


Don & Regina Nye - Senior Pastors
Don and Regina Nye, natives of Western Arkansas, joined the staff of First Assembly of God in March of 2006 as Senior Adult Pastors. Pastor Nye is a third generation minister and Regina was in church all of her young life. His pastoral ministry includes churches in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma spanning a period of fifty years. During those years he led local congregations in building new sanctuaries, parsonages and mission trips to Mexico to build churches.

The couple has two children. Donita teaches Gifted and Talented in the Springdale school system, and has been in a teaching position for 28 years. Their son Rick, a graduate of Central Bible College, is on staff at Trinity Assembly of God in Deltona, FL. Rick and his wife Lanee’ have two boys that Don and Regina are very proud of.

Pastor Nye served the Arkansas District Council of the Assemblies of God for eight and one-half years as Christian Education Director, five years as Men’s Director, twelve years as an Executive Presbyter, and had a total of twenty-five years in an elected position with the Arkansas District.

He served nine years on the National Assemblies of God General Presbytery Board as a General Presbyter from the Arkansas District. He started Senior Adult Ministries in two of his pastorates and appreciates the potential seniors have for working in their church. In his present position he plans at least two activities a month, one overnight trip a year, and special events throughout the year.


Steve & Shannon Borland - Youth Pastors

Steve & Shannon Borland are the leaders of Epic Student Ministry. Since beginning their ministry at Springdale First in 1995, it has been a goal of Steve and Shannon to see each of their students become lifelong followers of Jesus Christ.

Because of this goal, they have witnessed the lives of numerous students changed through Christ and several of them continue to serve the church through full-time and volunteer ministry. Each week, they count it a privilege to work with students and their families.

Steve & Shannon received their college education from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, both receiving a degree in education. While attending college, they were actively involved with Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship. Steve & Shannon live in Springdale with their wonderful daughters.




Mark & LaWonna Hellwig - Children's Pastor
Mark was born in Yuba City, California and graduated from Bethany Bible College in Santa Cruz, California where he received a Bachelor of Science degree. He has served in ministry for over twenty years and is currently serving as Children’s Pastor at First Assembly. He is committed to working with every family in helping children discover and develop a personal relationship with Jesus

His wife, LaWonna, also helps in the ministry and is a public school teacher for the Springdale School District. They are blessed to be the parents of Victoria, a college student and Derek who is in high school.



Keylon & Melonie Cook - Music Ministers
Keylon has been on staff at First Assembly in Springdale since September 1999 as Minister of Music. Melonie joined Keylon in ministry after they were married in October 2002. Keylon and Melonie both graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Keylon graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Melonie graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.

Keylon is currently pursuing his credentials with the Assemblies of God and Melonie is pursuing a double Masters in Nursing and Hospital Administration. Keylon works fulltime at the church and Melonie works fulltime as a nurse at the VA Hospital in Fayetteville. Both Keylon and Melonie are very passionate about their ministry and desire to see people led to the Lord through the many avenues of the worship ministry.

Keylon is responsible for the Adult Choir and plays piano for worship. Melonie uses her talents as a member of the choir and praise team as well as overseeing the Children’s Choir Ministry and Drama Department. Melonie is a very talented writer and has written many of First Assembly’s dramatic productions. Keylon and Melonie have both been under Pastor and Sis. Fant’s ministry since they were young children and consider it an honor to be a part of the Springdale First Assembly family. Keylon and Melonie have one child, Connor.