Rev. Zach Bay became Pastor of Fifth Avenue Baptist Church in February 2026, following twelve years as Pastor of First Baptist Church of Middlesboro, KY. Before that, Zach served as the Maddox Pastoral Resident at Northside Drive Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. Zach has been serving in pastoral ministry since he graduated from seminary in 2010.
He is the husband of Rev. Kristy Bay, Ed.D. Kristy and Zach met while in seminary together at Mercer University in Atlanta, GA. Kristy grew up in suburban Chicago (Glen Ellyn). She served as Associate Pastor at Milledge Avenue Baptist Church in Athens, GA; Minister of Music at First Baptist Church of Middlesboro, KY; and Executive Director of Administration at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN.
Kristy and Zach are parents to two school-aged children, Eleanor and Elliot.
Zach believes deeply in the local church and the “odd and wondrous” work of pastoring. He enjoys reading, writing, weight training, hiking, and traveling. He’s been known to play a good video game series, enjoy a smart sit-com, geek out on science fiction, fantasy, and detective stories, relish a good play or musical, and quote The Andy Griffith Show line-for-line.
Education
- Advanced Studies Certificate in Religious Leadership – Columbia Theological Seminary
- Master of Divinity – Mercer University
- Bachelor of Arts – Georgetown College
Ordination
- Northside Drive Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA