Meet Our Staff

Dr. Herb Thomas

Lead Pastor

Dr. Herb Thomas has been pastor of Circlewood Baptist Church since 1979. His previous pastorates were First Baptist, Sayre, AL and Lookout Valley Baptist, Chattanooga, TN. He received his bachelor’s, Master of Divinity, and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Luther Rice Seminary. Dr. Thomas is known for his warm-hearted and evangelistic preaching which stands uncompromised on the Word of God.

David Williams

Interim Minister of Music

David Williams grew up in Moundville, Alabama and attended Moundville Baptist Church. He attended the University of Alabama and earned degrees in Music as well as Public Relations. For 36 years he was the Minister of Music at Moundville Baptist Church. He also worked 36 years at Alabama Credit Union, retiring from there in December 2021. David has also served as interim music director at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa.

David is married to Libby Sheppard Williams of Tuscaloosa. They have one son, Spencer who is married to Harriet Baughen and they live in Los Angeles, CA.

Like most folks in Tuscaloosa, David is a fan of University of Alabama Athletics, especially football (Roll Tide!). Other hobbies include singing and arranging music for the Crimson Pride Barbershop Chorus in Tuscaloosa as collecting memorabilia concerning the novel and film “Gone With the Wind.”

Rob Cain

Associate Pastor, College, Young Adults, Missions, & Recreation

Rob Cain has returned to Circlewood to serve as Associate Pastor. His areas of responsibility include College, Young Adults, Missions, and Recreation. Rob previously served our church as Youth, College, and Recreation Director from 1986-2000. He also continues to fill the role of Athletic Director and Campus Pastor at American Christian Academy since June 1, 2010. Rob is deeply involved in short-term international student missions, and is the founder and director of No Compromise International. Following his first time at Circlewood, he served as a full-time employee of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, working for Franklin Graham in the areas of Children, Youth, College, and Singles. Rob and his wife, Taffy, have been married for 31 years and have two kids, Hudson and Maddie. Their entire family is deeply involved at Circlewood!

Steven Nelson

Youth Minister

Steven was born and raised in South Alabama. At 16 years of age, he answered God’s call to ministry and has been pursuing that call since. He attended Mississippi College where he earned his Bachelor’s degree and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned his Master of Divinity. Steven has been in Student Ministry for over 10 years and loves seeing students come to know Christ as Savior and grow in that relationship. During that timespan, Steven also met his wife, Michelle, and they have a daughter and a son. Steven enjoys running, reading, golf, Alabama Athletics and spending time with family.

Donna Cicero

Children's Minister

Donna Cicero joined the Circlewood staff in November 2010. She oversees the Children’s Ministry Program designed for children ages preschool through elementary. Her primary focus is to partner with parents to help each child build a strong spiritual foundation which leads to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Having attended Circlewood Baptist Church all her life, Donna accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of six. She counts it a blessing and privilege to have experienced the discipling nurture of the church since that time. She is a 1983 graduate of Central High School and a 1987 graduate of the University of Alabama where she earned a B.A. degree in Public Relations.