OUR STAFF
 
Gerald Collier – Senior Adult Pastor
 
From my first experience of worship and meeting this church family we have felt a part of a loving caring congregation; that is open to people who may not be like me and yet there is unity among us.
 
From the time I became a Christian, I have had a love for working with older adults. Every church I have pastored and my work as Chaplain at The Baptist Home, working with Senior Adults seemed to be my strength. Senior Adults are people who can teach you something and often express a desire to know God better in their old age.
 
I have earned a BS Degree, and a Master of Divinity Degree.
 
My wife (Betty) and I were married in 1965. We have two sons and three grandchildren.
 
I like to do landscape photography
 
Proverbs 3:5-6; Ephesians 2:8-10.
 
Erin Pind – Ministry Assistant
 
From the first moment I walked in, the people of FBC have made it feel like a second home.  They are there for you whenever you need them, whether it’s dinner delivered to your door when you’re sick or just a little pick me up. It’s wonderful to see a church come together to make the community a better place and help out as much as possible. 
 
As a ministry assistant, I am able to be involved in a lot of different areas of the church.  Not only does this keep me busy, it also keeps me on my toes! I enjoy planning, organizing and making sure everything runs as efficiently as possible.
 
I have a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Southeast Missouri State University.
 
My husband, Wes, and I married in May 2014 and welcomed our beautiful daughter, Adelyn, in January 2016 and our handsome son, Nathaniel, in April 2019. We spend our time making memories, chasing down a toddler, trying to find time to sleep and wishing we exercised more.
 
My hobbies include, but not limited to: Pinterest fanatic, DIY wanna-be, ROM-COM movie watcher and ice cream.
 
He has made everything beautiful in its time. – Ecclesiastes 3:11
Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. – Matthew 6:34
Erin Kenkel – Interim Director of Family Ministries

This ministry is very important to me because children and families NEED this ministry! It is vital for children to not only to come to church, but to build a faith-based relationship with their families in their own homes.  According to Jim Burns at “Home Word Ministries”, “kids that talk about their faith at home with mom and dad have a 80% chance of remaining in church once they leave the home.” I want the Children’s Ministry here at FBC to continue to grow and to look toward the future. I look forward to working with our children and their families!

My family and I have belonged to FBC since 2011. I quickly stepped in as VBS Director and Sunday School teacher for grades 1-4 and my husband, Lawrence, took on the role as Youth Leader. We have loved our positions from Super Sundays to Youth Nights! Our own children, Maysie 10 and Alysa 13, definitely know their way around the church.  They love being involved and now that they are getting older they like the opportunity to volunteer.

Outside of church, I am also a full time paraprofessional for the Jackson R-2 School District. Special education is something that has always been very important to me. I have worked for the district for 8 years and have loved every minute of it. 

When I’m not working or at FBC, my family and I love to spend time together! You can find us having a movie night, playing Monopoly, swimming, playing video games, or cheering for the St. Louis Blues!

My favorite bible verse is  “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

 
 
 
Becky Gentry – Minister of Music
 
I am the Minister of Music at First Baptist Church. I absolutely love working with the choir and helping lead others in worship on Sunday mornings. The choir is family to me and being with them in rehearsals is always a bright spot in my week.
 
I hold a Bachelor of Music Education from Jacksonville State University (1987), a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Louisville (1994), and have completed 23 hours post Master’s.
 
My husband, Bruce, and I are parents to Lydia, our very cool, violin playing, 18 year old daughter. We also have a wonderful dog, who is known as Holly the Collie.
 
First Baptist Church is a loving environment for people who are thriving and for those who are searching. It’s a church where you can come as you are—flaws or fabulous. We might not all agree on every idea, but your ideas are respected. Our church members are friendly and welcoming. We are eager to get to know new people who attend our church.
 
With teaching full time and church work added in, there’s not a lot of time for hobbies. When I can fit it in, I enjoy spending time with Bruce and Lydia, scrap-booking, and vacationing.
 
One of my favorite verses is Philippians 1:6 “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”  Another favorite is Proverbs 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 will direct your paths.“
 
 
Lawrence Kenkel – Youth Director
 

Since our first time coming in 2011, I have always felt at home and involved, very inclusive group of fantastic people.

I love being able to interact with youth and share my experiences as a teen. Getting to know them on a personal level makes the job even more rewarding.

I graduated high school and had some college and technical school.

My family is amazing and really close always having fun. We all take part in different areas of the church as well as a full schedule of activities outside of church. Always on the move.

I love the outdoors, being with my wife and kids, and building or tinkering with anything I can!

This may be cliché but John 3:16 as a kid it really stuck as well as the fact that it says so much about no matter what God love is.

Psalms 139:23-24 I love how true this is in say that see me and my thoughts, help me to stay pure and guide me in your ways, something that I used to struggle with. Something we all struggle with.

 
 
Chadie Fruehwald – Organist
 
I’m the organist at FBC. I love that I’m allowed to play anything. I try to fit my selections into the themes of the service, but if I can’t or choose not to, it’s OK.
 
I studied organ/church music at the University of Louisville, where I met my husband, Robert. He’s a composer and flutist who has taught at SEMO since 1989. When we fist moved to Cape Girardeau, I didn’t have a church job for the first time since I left school. This allowed me to begin to study the harp, something I had wanted to do since I was a child. I occasionally play it here at FBC, and I play with the Southeast Orchestra, and occasionally with other orchestras in the area.
 
FBC is the kind of open, tolerant, and loving community that I wish all that churches would be. It is a joy to play here.
 
A Bible verse that means a lot to me is John 3:16 – ” For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son”. The John Stainer setting of those words always comes to my mind.