Welcome

Meet Our Staff

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Seeing people "get it"... that's what ministry is all about for Pastor Mark. Not only does he rejoice every time someone new makes the decision to follow after God, he also loves seeing people realize that they too can be a vital part of God's kingdom. But the calling to full-time ministry didn't happen until after this Detroit native graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering. Following a path only God could orchestrate, Mark went on to attend Dallas Theological Seminary, then served as youth pastor followed by associate pastor at a church in Minnesota.

In 2003, Mark's journey led him and his family to Pekin, where he filled our need for Senior Pastor. Since that time, much has changed for Mark and his wife Jenny. Their three oldest – Jonathan, David, and Laura - are out of the house, and Kathryn is in high school. And while a smaller household has its lonely moments, God's faithfulness to them has remained the same. They continue to fall more in love with the Lord, each other (nearly 30 years of marriage!) and the people of this community - especially when we keep him well supplied with chocolate!

Fun Facts about Pastor Mark

Favorite Verse | Romans 8:38-39

Childhood Aspiration | To be a Veterinarian (until I fainted at site of blood)

Must Have Guilty Pleasure | Chocolate - ANY way!

Hidden Talent | Playing piano by ear

Weekend Relaxation | Watching a movie with my wife

Bookshelf Picks | The Singer, The Song, & The Finale (Calvin Miller)

We are pleased to introduce Chris Garrett as our new Worship Pastor. He, his wife Kristin and their son Samuel have moved here and we're so blessed to have them. Pastor Chris leads both traditional and contemporary worship here at First Baptist. He has a passionate heart for worship. Chris has Bible education from Columbia Bible College, has written curriculum, taught high school Bible... and is a great addition to our staff.

Fun Facts about Chris

Favorite Verses | Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 5:21; I John 5:3

Favorite Food | Chocolate, Cheese, Bacon, Steak

Childhood Aspiration | To be a trick biker

Gotta Love Movies | "The Lord of the Rings Trilogy" & "Forrest Gump"

Way to Relax | Dim the lights, play soft music, drink something warm (coffee or tea)

Favorite Vacation Spot | My Dad's cottage in Michigan. Time vanishes there...

Bookshelf Picks | "Desiring God" (John Piper), "What's So Amazing About Grace" (Philip Yancey), "Through the Gates of Splendor" (Elisabeth Elliot)

Brad and his wife Jeanne have known each other since they were small children. They started dating in 1975 and were married in 1979. In 1988, they started attending First Baptist and have loved being part of this family. By 2002, they were not only members, the Deacons licensed Brad to become one of our pastors. Brad's heart is to help those that are hurting, which makes him the perfect person to head up our DivorceCare and GriefShare ministries. He also heads up our Food Pantry and is working on getting a couple other ministries started to help those in the church and in our community.

When he's not busy helping others, Brad can be found hunting, fishing, making pottery and riding his Harley. And while he may not walk around the church dressed in leather, this Harley-Davidson lover hits the road with his bike anytime the day promises good weather.

Fun Facts about Pastor Brad

Favorite Verse | John 14:6

Must Have Movie Grab | Band of Brothers

Fun Thing You Like To Do |Ride my Harley out west

Favorite Food |Crawdaddys

Hidden Talent | Artist

Jeremy originally came to First Baptist to be our Junior High intern in 2008... and to spend more time with his then fiance, Ashley Over. Soon after he graduated from Lincoln Christian College, however, Jeremy married Ashley and moved into the lead position as our youth ministries director, heading up both junior and senior high activities. Jeremy and Ashley are now the very proud parents of a son, Isaac Matthew Elliott!

If he's not at the church, you'll likely find this theological-loving conversationalist strumming a new tune on his guitar, riding his motorcyle, working up designs on his computer (only Apple will do), hiking State Parks, relaxing at coffee shops, or simply spending time with Ashley. Oh, and beware of any pizza you leave lying around... Jeremy could eat it for every meal, every day of the week.

Fun Facts about Jeremy

Favorite Verse | John 10:10

Must Have Guilty Pleasure | Mountain Dew

Childhood Aspiration | Police Officer

Strangest Thing You've Done | Stretched my earlobes

Oddest Thing at Desk | Dead rubber ducky

Becky loves teaching children about God and helping them grow spiritually. Whether she's bustling in and out of rooms on Sunday morning or pushing a cart through Walmart, hearing "There's Miss Becky!" from an excited child's mouth is reassurance that all the work she and the Children's Ministries Team put in on Sunday and Wednesday nights is changing young lives. Becky began working as our Children's Ministries Director in 2004. Prior to that, she had served as a volunteer in the nursery, in children’s Sunday School and AWANA. She also facilitated women’s Bible studies and co-led adult Sunday school classes with her husband Brian.

In the little free time she has, Becky is busy supporting her three daughters - Lizzie, Kate and Gwen - in all their musical and academic endeavors. She also enjoys cooking, gardening, the occassional costume job and is an avid fan of "Mystery" and British TV in general.

Fun Facts about Becky

Favorite Verses | John 10:27-29 & Numbers 6:24-26

Movie Picks | Anything OLD (30s/40s film noir, mysteries, westerns)

Love to Go Vacation Spot | Scotland

Proudest Moment | Anything my kids do

Bookshelf Pick | To Kill a Mockingbird

Also known as the "glue" that holds everything together, Connie has been with us since 2005. She is in charge of the running of our church office, including the production of all the church’s printed materials, and keeping Pastor Mark in line.

Married to Tom - her husband of over 28 years, they still act as much in love today as if they were newlyweds. Both have spent numerous hours helping with pre-marital counseling at the church and thank God regularly that they are blessed to be married to their best friend. Connie and Tom also sing on our Sunday morning praise team, special ensembles and the seasonal choir. They have four grown children - Jenni, Josh, Kelli and Cory - and have 7 grandchildren.

Fun Facts about Connie

Favorite Verse | James 1:17

Guilty Pleasures | NCIS marathons

Favorite Things To Do l Alone time with hubby

Gotta Go Vacation Spot | Branson, anyplace with water

Bookshelf Picks | In the Eye of the Storm & Just Like Jesus (Max Lucado)

A former Eagle Scout, all-around sports fanatic, and electrical & plumbing extraordinare, Kendal brings many hats to the table and does a great job keeping the church and the grounds surrounding it looking good.

Kendal and his wife Annjlee have two children - Brandt and Kristen. Both Kendal and his wife are active with the church choir and various vocal ensembles.

Fun Facts about Kendal

Favorite Verse | Nahum 1:7

Sought-after Superpower | To make everyone drive like I do!

Strangest Thing You've Eaten | Fried pork brains & mountain oysters (both delicious!)

Best Childhood Memory | Watching movies from the balcony of my grandma's theater

After-hours Hobbies | Golf, Reading and Camping

Helping keep the church in pristine condition since 2006, Janet is just another important behind-the-scenes worker at First Baptist Church.

Hobbies | Quilting, ceramics, gardening, making Barbie clothes

Strangest thing ever eaten | Alligator

Best way to relax | Fishing

Hidden Talent | Making fly fishing lures