Bruce M. Schmidt has been called as pastor of First Baptist Church, Gowensville. A native of Tabor City, N.C., he is a graduate of Old Dominion University and Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Schmidt previously served as a medic in the 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Army. He and his wife, Martha — who have three children and five grandchildren — served as church planters for the International Mission Board in East Africa for 15 years, and he has also served churches in Tennessee, Georgia and Texas. Schmidt began duties at Gowensville First Baptist on Sept. 21.