Mark Conn is the Senior Pastor here at FBC. He and Mychere began ministry at First Baptist in January, 2010.
Having been raised in a pastor’s home (as was Mychere), Mark was determined to not go into ministry and instead had planned to attend the United States Air Force Academy and become a lawyer..that is until he felt God calling him into ministry (which he fought and tried to argue with God about – God won). He finally got tired of running and surrendered to full-time ministry in the spring of 1982.
Mark convinced Mychere to marry him in 1985. They have two sons: Marshall, a junior at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri, and Marty, a Freshman at Mott Community College.
As a family they have ministered in churches in South Carolina, West Virginia, and Missouri.
Mark’s unique communication style and authentic, practical, relevant biblical teaching has been the hallmark of his ministry. He is passionate about introducing people to Jesus Christ, and is often heard saying “I’m willing to do anything short of sin to win people to Jesus!”
You can friend Mark on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/mark.conn, or follow him on twitter by going to http://twitter.com/markconn. Mark’s email address here at FBC is mark@fbcmm.com.
Joey Henry Has been the Worship Arts Director since the beginning of January 2010 as a part of several new “firsts” in the life of First Baptist Church.
His passion for worship in all of its aspects are reflected in the many presentations seen such as interpretative dance, poetry reading, and visual arts with others yet to come.
He is partnered with his true love and best friend, Toni. Together, they cast the vision for the Worship Arts at FBC. Toni is an instrumental part of the praise team leading the vocalists and making sure even Joey sings on key! Joey and Toni met in the fall of 2002 at a Music conference in Nashville, TN and married 2 years later in January 2004.
Both Joey and Toni graduated with music degrees from Baptist Bible College.
They have 3 children: Jocelyn, Reese, and Londyn.
Joey’s vision for the Worship Arts Ministry at First, is to create and develop teams with creativity so that they can help people who don’t know God encounter Him in an engaging way. For those who have known God for a long time, he wants to help breathe new life into their relationship with Jesus by creating new avenues to help them encounter God. Here at First, our Worship Experiences will always be done with purpose and excitement fueled by the Holy Spirit. From the first chord to the last amen, all who come will know they have met with Jesus.
You can email him at joey@fbcmm.com.
Brenda Milks is the Director of Discipleship Ministries here at First. Brenda Married Ken in 1961 and have two children and six grandchildren. Their son, Larry serves with SEND International in Budapest, Hungary, and daughter, Carolyn directs After-School Programs in the Mt. Morris School District.
Brenda graduated in 1965 from Olivet Nazarene College with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and from Saginaw Valley State University in 1994 with a Master of Arts in Teaching, specialty in Early Childhood.
Brenda taught elementary school for 34 years in the Beecher Community Schools, part of that time as a literacy specialist.
Brenda directed a private preschool here at First Baptist for three years, and has been a member of First Baptist for about 20 years.
Brenda’s passion is helping people grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ through knowledge of His Word. As Director of Discipleship Ministries she works towards fulfilling our church’s vision by creating environments that will help people of all ages begin, renew or intensify their relationship with Jesus Christ.
You can reach Brenda Milks via email at brenda@fbcmm.com.
Julia Smithwick has enjoyed her position as The Office Administrator at FIRST, since the beginning of 2010. Julia Has been a member of First Baptist Church since she was fourteen at which time she and her family moved to Mt. Morris, Michigan. She was very involved in the youth group, choir, and children’s ministry during her Highschool and college years. After college she went to work at Dalat International School in Penang, Malaysia for four years as a dorm assistant working with the boarding students program. In the summer of 2008 she moved back to Mt. Morris, Michigan and married Kevin Smithwick who is the Church Clerk. They now have a son, Josiah. Along with working at the church, she enjoys artistic endeavors, such as teaching after school art classes, doing graphics for a screen printing company, and co-ordinating the church nursery. You may contact Julia by sending an email to office@fbcmm.com.
Mark McCallum is the Director of Next Generation Ministries at First Baptist Church. He has an intense passion for young people, and it is his desire to direct their energies to loving & serving God with their whole heart. He also enjoys teaching Martial Arts in order to teach people physical and spiritual discipline. Mark also loves to dive into the crazy world of teen life, full of fun, intensity, games, activities, and many times, pain!!! (but full of laughs)! Mark is very passionate about Jesus Christ, and it is his desire to show people that He is sufficient to meet ALL their needs, and deserves the preeminence in their lives (Colossians 2:8-10).
Mark is married to his Queen, Mary, and they have 3 children together, Joel, Simon, & Helena. Mark and Mary are both graduates of Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. Mary’s sweet and compassionate heart help drive their ministry together as they reach today’s youth and train them to become tomorrow’s leaders by making a difference now.
Their vision for the Next Generation Ministries is to raise an army of youth that are on fire to share the unconditional love of Jesus Christ with their community in actions, words, & creativity. Mark believes that if young people channel their energies for God, then they would become an unstoppable force that can bring powerful positive change to our community and to our world. You can reach Mark by emailing him at markm@fbcmm.com.
