First Baptist Church of Stryker
Staff
Lead Pastor
Pastor Sean was raised in a nominally Christian home that did not regularly attend any church. He was exposed to the gospel message several times through visiting Sunday school and VBS with childhood friends and, as a result, received Christ as his savior at the age of 12. However, because of the environment at home he did not grow in his Christian walk. After the birth of his first child he came to understand that true faith is reflected in a life of obedience to Christ’s commands and began his journey towards a more Biblically-consistent lifestyle. After serving for several years as a youth sponsor and Sunday school teacher, his pastor suggested that he should consider full-time vocational ministry. He enrolled at Baptist Bible College (now Clarks Summit University) in Clarks Summit, PA earning his B.Sc in Bible in 2002 and then his M.Div from the seminary in 2007. He was with Cornerstone Baptist Church in New Albany, OH for six years before coming to First Baptist of Stryker.
Pastor Sean’s life verse is Prov. 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” He and his wife, Kathee, have been married for 28 years. They have four adult children: Nathan and his wife Christine, who live in the Dayton area, Bethany, and Lucas.
“I’m looking forward to meeting you – drop me a note and let’s get together for coffee sometime!”
(614) 282-1181
Pastor of Family Discipleship
Tim accepted Jesus as his Savior November 14th, 1994 during his first semester of college at Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, PA. Tim studied and trained the rest of his college career at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, MI, graduating in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in Science in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. Tim worked at Camp Cedine in Spring City, TN during the summer of 1995, and Spring Hill Camp in Evart, MI during the summer of ’96 and ’97. Tim did his internship with the Clinton County Juvenile Court PEER Program working with at risk youth, helping them see a better way by becoming active in their community and doing service projects. This opportunity that God gave him developed a passion in him to work with and care for children of all ages. Tim was also provided an opportunity in 1999-2001 to work at the Northwest Ohio Juvenile Detention Center which showed him a need for mentoring and discipleship ministry among teens and also their parents.. From 2002-2011, Tim served as a youth leader, and from 2011-2015 served as the worship leader at First Baptist Church of Stryker. Tim and his wife, Mindy, have 2 children, Caiden and Graisen.
One of Pastor Tim's favorite challenges from the Word of God is "Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2) "I am glad that we can look to Jesus as our example as to how we should face the trials and tribulations of this world. God as the SOURCE and PERFECTER of our faith, gives us assurance that He will be the one that helps us through.”
Pastor Tim desires to make disciples of Jesus Christ who in turn then can and will make disciples of Jesus Christ. As a pastor of family discipleship, he purposes to equip all members of the family to be able to first be a follower of Jesus, and then be able to live as an example and teach others to also be disciples of Christ. Tim also purposes be a resource to parents as they pick-up their biblical role as the primary, spiritual care-givers to their children.
Pastor Tim welcomes questions and conversations.
(419) 553-0491
