SBC

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE: 7,750

Meet Houston's First Baptist Church

Houston's First is a thriving and diverse community of real people experiencing real life together. Sundays are a time when we gather together to grow and give of what we have, but our lives consist of much more than attending church on Sunday. We want to be the church every day of the week.

Houston's First Baptist Church was founded in 1841 by foreign missionaries who had come from the United States of America to the sovereign Republic of Texas. The church has continued to be a place on mission from its humble roots.

Located in Downtown Houston until 1977, the church moved under the leadership of Pastor John Bisagno to what is now known as The Loop Campus (located at the interchange of I-10 and the 610 Loop). Pastor John retired in 2000, and Gregg Matte became the Senior Pastor in 2004 after a nearly four-and-a-half-year search.

Houston's First has continued to grow, and as a church, they seek new ways to reach people in the fourth-largest city in the United States. In addition to The Loop, three campuses have been added throughout the greater Houston area - Cypress, Downtown, and Sienna. The Loop Campus averages about 4000 in weekly attendance, whereas all the campuses combined are in the neighborhood of 7000 in combined weekly attendance.

The heart of the leadership of Houston's First is on display full-time! It is evident they desire to reach the surrounding communities with the love and grace found in Jesus. Their up-to-date buildings are used for everything from bible studies to fitness (including a gymnasium, fitness center, and even a bowling alley)! The people of Houston's First are equipped with practical and relevant teaching from God's Word, and the congregation is challenged to live it out every day of the week in their workplace, schools, families, and places of interest.

Coming full circle from their start, they are known for their many local and global missions efforts and partnerships, as well as being invested in targeted ministries designed to meet people where they are. The Loop campus has a specific area designed for a growing ministry to special needs, in addition to specialized ministry to single parents, blended families, and adoptive and foster families. In addition, the church currently has two Faith Centers which serve in-need areas with ESL classes, food pantries, clothes closets, and more.

About the Executive Chef

The Executive Chef provides inspired culinary leadership for all food service operations of the church, creating exceptional dining experiences that foster community, hospitality, and connection. This role leads menu development, food preparation, catering, and kitchen operations in support of worship services, ministry programs, church-wide events, and special gatherings. With a commitment to excellence, creativity, and faithful stewardship, the Executive Chef ensures every meal reflects the church’s mission, values, and culture of hospitality.

Purpose: The purpose of the Executive Chef is to provide visionary culinary leadership that enhances the life and ministry of the church through excellent food service. This role exists to create hospitable, high-quality dining experiences that support worship services, church-wide gatherings, and ministry programs, while faithfully stewarding resources and reflecting the mission, values, and culture of the church in every aspect of kitchen operations.

The Executive Chef's responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic leadership for all culinary operations, including daily food service, banquets, conferences, weddings, funerals, and special church events.
• Design creative, seasonal, and event-specific menus that embody Southern hospitality, excellence, and broad congregational appeal.
• Set and maintain high standards for food quality, flavor, presentation, consistency, and portion control.
• Ensure kitchens operate with exceptional organization, cleanliness, safety, and efficiency.
• Recruit, train, lead, and mentor culinary staff and volunteers, cultivating growth and excellence.
• Build a positive, servant-hearted team culture that reflects Christian values and mutual respect.
• Schedule and deploy staff effectively to meet ministry needs while managing labor responsibly.
• Provide ongoing coaching, professional development, and constructive performance feedback.
• Develop, manage, and steward culinary budgets, including food, labor, and operational supplies.
• Monitor expenses and implement thoughtful cost-control strategies without compromising quality or hospitality.
• Source ingredients responsibly and partner with vendors to ensure quality, reliability, and best value.
• Maintain accurate inventory, purchasing, and receiving systems.
• Ensure full compliance with all local, state, and federal health and safety regulations.
• Uphold ServSafe standards and lead food safety and sanitation training for staff and volunteers.
• Establish and enforce kitchen policies related to sanitation, safety, and allergen awareness.
• Collaborate closely with church leadership and ministry teams to support events and ministry objectives.
• Ensure every dining experience reflects warmth, professionalism, and Christ-centered hospitality.
• Faithfully support and model the mission, values, and statement of faith of the church.
• Demonstrate a servant’s heart and a genuine commitment to ministry through hospitality.
• Maintain professionalism, integrity, and a Christ-like attitude in all interactions.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Executive Chef:

Education and Experience

• Culinary degree - Strongly preferred
• 8-10 years of progressive culinary leadership experience, including large-scale food service or catering.

Personal Characteristics and Qualifications

• Maintain God-ordained priorities in your life by putting Jesus Christ first, your spouse second, your children third and the ministry fourth. 
• Know and embody the church leadership behaviors. 
• Must be a strong, vibrant Christian who is Biblically sound and grounded in their faith.
• Excellent team player.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and events.
• Must be flexible and possess effective time management and organizational skills.
• A people person who has a genuine love for people and a desire to serve them.
• Ability to discern with wisdom and build relationships with staff and lay membership.

What it's like to live in Houston, TX

Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States and the largest city in the state of Texas! It offers several nationally acclaimed restaurants, shopping centers, and events.

The city is the home of the Texas Medical Center, the world's largest concentration of healthcare, research institutions, and NASA's Johnson Space Center, where the Mission Control Center is located. 

Rated as a global city, Houston's economy has a broad industrial base in energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, and transportation. It is also leading in the health care sector and building oilfield equipment; only New York City is home to more Fortune 500 headquarters. The city has a population with various ethnic and religious backgrounds and a large and growing international community. It is also home to many cultural institutions and exhibits in the Museum District, which attracts more than seven million visitors a year. There's an active visual and performing arts scene in the Theater District, and it offers opportunities to experience resident companies in all major performing arts genres in Houston throughout the year. Houston, Texas, is a great place to call home, be surrounded by a great community of people, and raise a family.