John W. Landis, Interim Pastor
The Rev. John Landis began serving as Interim Pastor in November 2011. John is known for his insightful and entertaining preaching. His messages are Biblically based, theologically grounded and contemporary and relevant in application. Rev. Landis received his Master of Divinity Degree from Northern Theological Seminary, Lombard, IL. He is currently writing his dissertation to complete his Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University.
John has served as an intentional interim pastor for a variety of churches over the past fifteen years. He has designed and conducted numerous assessments of congregational health. From those assessments, he has made recommendations which have aided congregations in positioning for growth, establishing solid foundations and/or returning to vitality. He has also assisted churches with strategic planning. In 2005, John served the American Baptist Churches of Michigan as the Consultant for Stewardship and Congregational Health. He regularly serves the Region assisting congregations with their pastoral search processes and as a “Retool” consultant.
For over twenty five years, John was the owner and principal consultant for the Symbiosis Group, LLC, a strategic planning and custom design training company. He is a past president of the National Speakers Association chapter in Michigan. Rev. Landis lives in Canton, Michigan with his wife Nadia and two daughters Anjali and Meera.
David M. Brown
Associate Pastor & Director of Music Ministry
B.A., 1974 - Judson College
M.Div., 1979 - Northern Baptist Seminary
Served in several churches in the midwest as Associate pastor. Also served 4 years as an American Baptist missionary in India (1999-2003). Currently oversees the music ministry of First Baptist Church, and helps with other pastoral duties, including preaching occasionally. Family: wife Susan; son, Benjamin, daughter Meredith. Hobbies: playing trumpet in local community band, working out at the community center, racquetball, reading, occasionally playing piano for restaurants/weddings/parties.
Richard (Rich) E. Williams
Director of Youth Ministries
Graduate of Northwestern College, MN, with a B.S. in Ministry. Serving at the First Baptist Church Midland, MI, since June 2004. Served at the United Methodist Church Hudson, WI, September 1996 - September 2003. Married to Sue Williams. They have two children.
Joseph I. Mortensen
Pastor Emeritus
Dr. Joseph I. Mortensen served First Baptist Church as senior pastor from November, 1969, through June, 1993, the longest pastorate in the church's history. He is a graduate of Wheaton College, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Boston University. Before coming to Midland he served churches in Lowell and Boston, MA, and Mt. Pleasant, MI. He was given the honorary title Pastor Emeritus by the church on the occasion of the congregation's 140th anniversary in 2009.
Since his retirement he has served four Michigan Baptist congregations as interim pastor, served as Central Area Minister for the American Baptist Churches of Michigan for five years, and taught theological seminary classes at Moscow Theological Seminary in Russia (1996, 1998, 2000, and 2006) and at Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit (2003-2011). He edits the bi-weekly American Baptist Churches of Michigan online newsletter, E-Link Online. He teaches an occasional adult class and fills in as preacher from time to time.
He is married to Kathy. They have five children and nine grandchildren.
Deb Green
Office Manager
Joined the staff: April 2003
1981: Associate Degree in Liberal Arts
2002: Associate Degree in Applied Science Graphic Design
Most of Deb's career has been spent in the Office Professional arena. She has worked for Delta College University-Career Development & Placement, Midland Public Schools Attendance Office Professional and also for The Dow Chemical Company where she held such positions as a TAP, Purchasing Assistant, Administrative Assistant, and Senior Administrative Manager. She chose to leave The Dow Chemical Company in pursuit of her Graphic Arts Degree.
She is married to a Midland Firefighter and is the mother of two boys. Her hobbies include: stained glass, fishing, snowmobiling, reading, painting, browsing second hand stores, and vacationing in the U.P. where she and her husband own an 80-acre hunting camp.
John Lastovica
Pianist/Organist
John has served as organist with First Baptist, Midland since May of 2011. Although a full-time Dow employee for 30+ years, he has served as organist in several churches near his Lake Jackson, Texas home town since the age of 16. He and his wife, Tina, moved to Midland in 2004 as part of a job transfer. They have one son, Ryan, who is married and also works for Dow in Midland
Mike Walker
Custodian
Joined the Staff: January 1985