Staff
"...God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth..."1 Timothy 3:15 (NIV)
The church is nothing but an empty building without it's members, each of whom plays an important role. Below are a few of our pillars that help provide for the basic spiritual needs of the whole congregation.
John Hessel - Pastor
John L. Hessel is the pastor of First Baptist Church. He came to us as our interim pastor in January, 2006. On Easter Sunday, 2008, John officially became our pastor. Pastor John and his wife of 42 years, Brenda, have three married daughters and eight grandchildren, all living in the St. Louis area. John and Brenda both grew up in Alton, IL, and were high school sweethearts. He is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Formerly the senior pastor of South County Baptist Church for eight years, Pastor John has been in the ministry for 43 years. First called to preach as a teenager, he has a deep love for God’s Word and for God’s people. His hobbies include golf, travel with his wife, old cars, and riding his motorcycle.
Our Pastor also has a consulting ministry, assisting churches with financing for building programs, a ministry he has been doing since 1983. He has assisted over 200 churches throughout the Midwest in raising over $100 million dollars to expand or improve their building facilities.
John Gorse Jr. - Music Director
John M. Gorse is the worship music leader of First Baptist Church, directing the choir and congregation in worship while playing a keyboard. He became the church pianist at age 13, in 1972, and served in that capacity for 20 years. In 1992, he became the Church music director. He is an accomplished musician and has arranged several hymn medleys for the piano and keyboard. The adult choir has performed many seasonal cantatas, and has performed at several assisted-living homes in the St. Louis area. In 2004, John began working with the children’s choir. John’s son, Justin, is a CBC graduate and a freshman in college. John’s parents are active members of FBC, where his father is also a deacon. His hobbies and interests include watching and playing volleyball and softball with his son, watching the Cardinals, listening to music, and collecting baseball cards. He has an Associates Degree from Meramec Community College, and owns a landscaping and lawncare business that he began in 1981.
Nancy Stanley - Secretary
Nancy Stanley is the Church Secretary at First Baptist, Oakville. She has served in this position since 1993. Nancy and her husband John have been married 33 years, and have two married sons and two grandchildren, with a third grandchild expected soon. Nancy grew up in the family of First Baptist Church where her parents, Moe and Adelaide Sadler served the Lord for many years. Nancy enjoys antiquing, traveling with her husband, and watching her grandchildren.