Rev. Dr. Josh Lail joined the staff at Valdese First Baptist in May 2015. Before serving on staff, he served alongside many members of Valdese First Baptist in local, national, and international missions, as well as ecumenical youth activities.
Josh received a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Gardner-Webb University. Before that, he received a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, and a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Mars Hill College (now Mars Hill University), near Asheville. Before coming to Valdese First Baptist, he served in student ministry at College Avenue Baptist Church in Lenoir, NC, and First United Methodist Church here in Valdese.
Josh married his best friend, Crystal, in November of 2007. Josh says, "Without her, I’m just not me!" Crystal is a graduate of Appalachian State University and works in the Burke County Public School System. In December of 2014, they welcomed their first child, Caroline.
After serving as both Associate Pastor and Interim Pastor, Josh was called to be Senior Pastor of First Baptist Valdese in 2019. He is excited to continue to serve in the community of faith that has loved him and his family very well in their time in Valdese!
