Leadership team
Nicole Cotton
nicole cotton / lead pastor
Feeling called to ministry at a very young age, I began pursing my call in 2007. My husband Beau and I (married in 2007) began serving in youth ministry together in 2009 at our home church in Beebe, AR. I moved to my first staffed youth pastor position in 2012 (Vilonia, AR) and served there until 2018. In 2018, I was ordained and shortly thereafter stepped into my first lead-pastor position, where my calling felt more fulfilled than ever (Sherwood, AR). Beau is district licensed and is on track to be ordained in just a few years and we are passionate about serving in ministry together.
In my spare time, I enjoy drinking coffee and watching a good movie or show. When time permits, I enjoy photography and outside activities with my family.
Beau Cotton
beau cotton / lay minister
Beau serves BFCN in many different ways, primarily overseeing our outreach efforts, including the Community Garden and our partnership with the Whiteside School District. When he’s not playing drums with the worship team on Sunday mornings, you can often find him serving in the sound booth or helping manage equipment.
And, in case you were wondering, yes! He IS Pastor Nicole’s husband! They met at a young age, and needless to say, he was smitten. Both grew up in Central Arkansas and now have two kids, Nora and Jonah.
We’re grateful for the many ways Beau is equipped to serve and, even more, for his willingness to jump in wherever he is needed.
Denise & Erik Hand
denise & erik hand / worship leaders
Denise has been a member of the church since 2017 and currently serves as Co-Worship Leader, along with her husband Erik. With a lifelong passion for music, she began playing piano at age seven, started clarinet in fourth grade, and later transitioned to oboe in seventh grade, continuing through college. Her musical background includes participation in concert band, jazz band, pep band, marching band, and choir as well as performing in two high school musicals and playing in the pit orchestra for another production. She first joined a worship team during dental school in Alton, serving as both pianist and vocalist, and continued participating in worship at BFCN after returning to the area in 2017. She is grateful for the opportunity to use her musical gifts to serve and lead others in worship.
You will often find Erik playing guitar and singing in the background, but every now and then, he steps forward and leads worship while Denise plays piano. And sometimes, their son Tarik will even step up on stage to sing with the praise team as well. They are musical family and we are so blessed to have them leading us every Sunday.
Dawn Franklin
dawn franklin / admin assistant
Dawn is a lifelong Nazarene who began attending BFCN in 2017 and officially transferred her membership in 2020. Her love for children quickly led her to serving in Children’s Ministry, where she later helped restart Kid City following the COVID shutdown. These days, if you don’t see her in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings, there’s a good chance you’ll find her in the Nursery or Tot Town! Before joining the BFCN staff, Dawn spent many years running her own in-home childcare and also has experience in retail, banking and administrative work.
Dawn and her husband, Adam, have been married since 2007 and have twin daughters, Emma & Bella. She loves spending time with family and friends, traveling, catching a show at The Fox or Muny, and making memories with her girls.
Dawn is grateful to seve BFCN as Administrative Assistant and loves being able to use her gifts to serve her church family and support its ministries.
BFCN Church Board Members
Phil Christensen (NMI)
Connie Griffin
Bryan Skelton
Cathy Dothager
Stu Leach (NYI)
Larry Wankel (NDI)
Adam Franklin
Greg Parcell
Craig Weiss
At Belleville First we are blessed with a great leadership team
who are committed to the Kingdom and serving you.