First Baptist Church California, MO

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Staff

Greg Morrow - Pastor

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Greg Morrow has served as Pastor of First Baptist Church of California since April of 1997. Prior to serving First Baptist Church, he had served for 5 years as Associate Pastor of South County Baptist Church of St. Louis, MO, for 3 years as Christian Life Minister of First Baptist Church of Springfield, MO, for 9 years as Minister of Recreation and Youth of First Baptist Church of Jefferson City, MO, for 3 years as Minister of Activities of Maywood Baptist Church of Independence, MO, for 3 years as Minister of Activities of First Baptist Church of Ash Grove, Mo, and for 2 years as Youth Director of Calvary Baptist Church of Sedalia, MO.

Greg is a 1983 graduate of the University of Missouri, where he earned a Masters of Science in Recreation and Park Administration. He received his Bachelors of Arts degree in Church Recreation at Southwest Baptist University (Missouri) in 1976. He graduated from Jefferson City High School (Missouri) in 1972.

Greg became a Christian at age nine, re-committed his life to following Christ at age 14, and surrendered to God’s call to ministry in 1971 at the age of 17. Greg has been married to his wife, Ila, since May 25, 1974. They one daughter, Valarie, and two sons, Patrick and James. They also have 6 grandchildren.

On a Personal Note:

"My life scripture is Romans 8:28- "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Sincerely,
Greg Morrow

Jack Bowlin - Assistant to the Pastor

Jack Bowlin has served as Assistant to the Pastor of First Baptist Church of California since October of 2006. Prior to serving as Assistant to the Pastor, he had served for 20 years as part-time Minister of Music of First Baptist Church during the 1950s – 1970s. He remained active in the church music ministry, served as a deacon, and taught a men’s Sunday School class. He had also been a funeral director for over 60 years.

Jack is a 1949 graduate of Jefferson City Junior College, where he earned an Associates degree. He graduated from California High School (Missouri) in 1947.

Jack committed his life to following Christ at the age of 10 and fully surrendered to God’s call to ministry in 2006 at the age 77. He believes that God has called him to faithfully minister to the shut-ins and older adults that he has known for many years.

Jack has been married to his wife, Carole, since February 25, 1951. They have one son, Tom, who is a deacon in First Baptist Church of Kansas City, MO and two daughters, Lou Ann and Nanellen. They have 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

On a Personal Note:

"Working with the present church staff and Pastor Greg, who is my twelfth pastor, has been extremely enjoyable. I was the first church secretary (1955) and have been actively involved with all the pastors from that time; my present association with our pastor has been the most rewarding. When you are 80 years old, you understand your ability to serve might not be long, but I look forward to all the future ministry that the Lord will allow."

Most Sincerely,
Jack Bowlin

Timothy Burgher - Minister of Music

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Timothy Burgher has served as Minister of Music of First Baptist Church since January of 2007. Prior to serving First Baptist Church, he had served for 8 years as Minister of Music and Education of Hamlin Memorial Baptist Church of Springfield, MO, for 5 years at Minister of Music and Youth of Northside Baptist Church of Princeton, KY, for 10 years as Minister of Music and Youth of Glenstone Baptist Church of Springfield, MO, and for 2 years as Minister of Music and Youth of Second Baptist Church of Marion, IL.

Timothy is a 1978 graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned a Masters of Church Music in Choral Conducting. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Church Music with a minor in Music Theory at Palm Beach Atlantic College (Florida) in 1975. He graduated from Hernando County High School (Florida) in 1971.

Timothy committed his life to following Christ at the age of 9 and surrendered to God’s call to ministry in 1975 at the age of 22. He believes that God’s purpose for man is to bring glory to His name and to worship Him with a true, unreserved heart. Music in worship is a tool to draw the body of Christ to the presence of the almighty God and to point their attention to His provision of forgiveness for sin through Jesus Christ, His Son.

Timothy has been married to his wife, Marcia, since June 18, 1977. They have 3 beautiful daughters and 1 handsome son who all love Jesus. Meredith is married to Patrick who is in the Navy. They have Timothy's first two granddaughters, Madeline and Johanna. Catherine is a graduate from Missouri State University and is the director of Higher Ground, a traveling worship team for Southwest Baptist University. Ana is married to Jesse who is a computer technition. Ana has completed her masters degree at Missouri State University in vocal performance and is now teaching voice in Springfield. Nicholas is a student at Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar. He loves Jesus, music and art.

Kyle Ward - Minister of Youth

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Kyle Ward was called in August to serve as the Youth Pastor at First Baptist Church of California. Prior to California he lead college students at First Baptist Church of Lee’s Summit, a youth group intern at Pleasant Hill First Baptist Church in Pleasant Hill, MO and an intern at Nashua Baptist Church in North Kansas City, MO. Kyle is also a First Lieutenant in the US Army Reserves as a Chaplain Candidate serving with the 139th Medical Brigade in Independence, MO.

Kyle graduated Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Missouri) May 2010 with a Masters of Divinity. He received his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration at Truman State University (Missouri) in 2006, and was a graduate of Lee’s Summit North High School (Missouri) in 2001.

Kyle accepted Christ as his personal Savior his senior year in high school. He felt his call to the ministry in college while leading youth group small groups and teaching soldiers about having personal relationship with Christ when serving in his ROTC Battalion at Truman State. Kyle has been married to his wife, Stephanie, since August 7, 2004. They have two sons, Elijah and Isaiah.

Daniel Puerto - Hispanic Pastor

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"Hello. My name is Daniel Puerto and I am going to tell you a little about me. I was born in a Christian family. My father being a pastor in Guatemala City, and my mother graduating from a Seminary in that Central American country. And when I say that I was born in a Christian home, I want to explain that I heard the gospel from my childhood. I knew all about Bible histories and I remember how often I was exposed to the gospel message. I always participate in kid’s music groups and Sunday school teaching. But being at church and knowing a lot of the Bible is not enough to be in a relationship with God.

My parents are from Honduras, and we went to the south of that country to serve in a church there. I remember a Saturday night, my father called my twin brother and I to his room. He told us about Christ and His sacrifice for us. That night we did the sinner prayer. And from that time I was sure about going to heaven. But I was not walking on the narrow way, walking in the Light. I was walking on the broad way, because even being sure about my salvation I was not living as a regenerated person. I start to do things with my friends that God hate. I dated with two girls that were non-Christians. I was often disobeying my parents. I used my tongue to speak against other church members. I was listening to non-Christian music. I was practicing sin, because I loved sin. But even living like that, I was sure of my salvation.

In February, 2005 I started college. Because of that I had to leave home and went to the capital of Honduras, Tegucigalpa. There I attend and served in a church, and also started a discipleship with one of the youth leaders. Until that time I thought everything was going fine. But God had a different point of view.

One night, a youth leader from the church I was attending came to our house in the capital. I started to ask him for advice in dating and relationship issues. But, even though I was not talking about prayer, he asked me: “How do you pray?” I thought that was a unwise answer to my questions. But in that very moment, I was being confronted by God in my heart: “You do not know how to pray because you do not have a relationship with me through Christ. You are under my wrath, but I want to have a relation with you, I want to save you. I am not a far-away God, I am close to you. I am your God”. That night I got save. God save me through Jesus Christ. He died for me in the cross, He paid the price and He took my place. Now I am justified and being sanctified through the work of the Holy Spirit within me. I praise God because the things which are impossible with men (salvation, election, justification, regeneration, penal substitutionary atonement, sanctification) are possible with God.

Now, God has called me to serve Him full time, and that is the best thing a human being can choose. After finishing my fourth year of Bible training in Texas, God called me to serve at least for a year in the First Baptist Church in California Missouri. I am thankful to God for this great opportunity to serve Him in this country with Latino people (they are great people; I enjoy teaching them the Scriptures). I am learning to love this great Church and we are growing together. Blessings!"

Jo Matzes - Office Manager

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Jo Matzes has served as Administrative Assistant of First Baptist Church of California since September of 2008. Prior to serving First Baptist Church, she had served for 9 ½ years as a Revenue Processing Technician for the Taxation Bureau in Jefferson City, MO. Though she is new to the staff, she is not new to the church family. She and her family have been members of First Baptist Church since December of 1997.

Jo has been married to her husband, Richard, since December 18, 1982. They have three children and two grandchildren. Marjorie is married to Damian and they, along with their two children reside in Harrisburg, MO. Virginia is attending Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO. Charles is a student at California High School.

On a Personal Note:

"I truly believe accepting this position has been an answer to my prayers. I have long desired to work for a faith-based employer- who could ask for more faith-based than to work at a church! I enjoy serving and pray that the Lord will guide me to be all that I can be for Him as I serve His church family."

Keep On Keeping On,
Jo Matzes