Senior Pastor, Jonah Beckermann

Pastor Jonah began his ministry as senior pastor at First Baptist Church in September 2009. He is married to Jessica and has two daughters, Elianna and Abigail. Pastor Jonah enjoys sports and almost any outdoor activity. He also loves to read, travel and hang out with his family. His passions for ministry are in preaching/teaching, discipling and ministries of social justice.

One Life Verse (of many): He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8-NIV)

Favorite Missions Trip: Legaspi City, Philippines 2008 (Teaching systematic theology to pastors and church leaders).

Favorite Authors: Eugene Peterson, Jonathon Edwards, John Stott

Favorite Pizza: Meat Lovers

Most Embarrassing Ministry Moment: Leading a communion service and discovering the grape juice was moldy.

Youth Pastor, Matthew Thiner

Having grown up in the Worthington area, I am excited to return and serve this community after ministering in a small community in Illinois for four years.  Working with youth has been a joy and passion in my life as I aim to build personal relationships with those I am serving and seek to instill biblical truths in our youth.  My favorite thing to do is to spend time with others usually in some form of competition, especially sports.  I also enjoy reading and spending time with my family.  My wife, Michele, and I have three boys, Jude, Xander and Silas. I am excited to serve with you and meet the needs of those in our community.

Children's Ministry Director, Bonnie Beman

My name is Bonnie Beman. I work at First Baptist Church as the Children’s Ministry Director. I have been working here just a short time but have attended this church for about 15 years. Previously I worked with the Head Start program as a teacher, administrator and a bus driver here in Worthington. I have always been drawn to children and believe that they are the true legacy to the world.

I grew up in Worthington area and married my high school sweetheart, Jeff. We have two girls, Brenda Oberloh and Tammi Landers. I have three grandchildren whom I adore.   I love this little city of beautiful parks, great festivals and diversity. I am proud to be from this community and believe that there is a lot of potential here for our church and evangelism.

I love to travel, watch a great love story and I love, love a great cup of coffee. 

The world is changing quickly and kids need all of us to love, care and guide them. I believe there is an “urgency” to heed the Lord’s calling and gather in the harvest.

One Life Verse:  A favorite verse of mine is found in Psalm 119:105; Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. 

Worship Director, Amanda DeYounge

My name is Amanda DeYounge and I am honored to be leading worship at First Baptist Church. I am married to Ryan, and we have a baby boy named, Levi. We moved to Worthington from my hometown of Fergus Falls, MN, just over a year ago.

I pray that God reveals Himself through our praise with songs that minister healing, hope, and truth. My desire as a worship leader is to draw people into the presence of the most High God…to be changed and to see Him magnified.

I am also passionate about health and love my job as a wellness educator. I enjoy running, playing soccer, reading, jet skiing, stroller rides, and spending time at the lake with my family. I always start my day with a hot cup of coffee and end with a cold cup of ice cream.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

Administrative Assistant, Mary Stewart

It has been my privilege to work and serve at First Baptist Church for 15 years since moving to Worthington in 1981. This has been where we raised our three children, Lindsay, Andrew, and Alex. Lindsay, husband, Brad, and granddaughter Ella live in Harrisburg, South Dakota. Andrew lives and works in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Alex is a senior at Bethel University.

I love serving the Lord in many ways through singing on worship team, helping with various ministries, and working in the office at FBC.  I love to read, cook, go on walks, travel and my new love is being a grandmother. My favorite places to travel have been Mexico,  Paraguay, and Germany . My husband and I love to spend time with our family and together with dog Sam.

Facility Maintenance, Tim & Camilla Aker

Senior Pastor, Jonah Beckermann

Pastor Jonah began his ministry as senior pastor at First Baptist Church in September 2009. He is married to Jessica and has two daughters, Elianna and Abigail. Pastor Jonah enjoys sports and almost any outdoor activity. He also loves to read, travel and hang out with his family. His passions for ministry are in preaching/teaching, discipling and ministries of social justice.

One Life Verse (of many): He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8-NIV)

Favorite Missions Trip: Legaspi City, Philippines 2008 (Teaching systematic theology to pastors and church leaders).

Favorite Authors: Eugene Peterson, Jonathon Edwards, John Stott

Favorite Pizza: Meat Lovers

Most Embarrassing Ministry Moment: Leading a communion service and discovering the grape juice was moldy.

Youth Pastor, Matthew Thiner

Having grown up in the Worthington area, I am excited to return and serve this community after ministering in a small community in Illinois for four years.  Working with youth has been a joy and passion in my life as I aim to build personal relationships with those I am serving and seek to instill biblical truths in our youth.  My favorite thing to do is to spend time with others usually in some form of competition, especially sports.  I also enjoy reading and spending time with my family.  My wife, Michele, and I have three boys, Jude, Xander and Silas. I am excited to serve with you and meet the needs of those in our community.

Children's Ministry Director, Bonnie Beman

My name is Bonnie Beman. I work at First Baptist Church as the Children’s Ministry Director. I have been working here just a short time but have attended this church for about 15 years. Previously I worked with the Head Start program as a teacher, administrator and a bus driver here in Worthington. I have always been drawn to children and believe that they are the true legacy to the world.

I grew up in Worthington area and married my high school sweetheart, Jeff. We have two girls, Brenda Oberloh and Tammi Landers. I have three grandchildren whom I adore.   I love this little city of beautiful parks, great festivals and diversity. I am proud to be from this community and believe that there is a lot of potential here for our church and evangelism.

I love to travel, watch a great love story and I love, love a great cup of coffee. 

The world is changing quickly and kids need all of us to love, care and guide them. I believe there is an “urgency” to heed the Lord’s calling and gather in the harvest.

One Life Verse:  A favorite verse of mine is found in Psalm 119:105; Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. 

Worship Director, Amanda DeYounge

My name is Amanda DeYounge and I am honored to be leading worship at First Baptist Church. I am married to Ryan, and we have a baby boy named, Levi. We moved to Worthington from my hometown of Fergus Falls, MN, just over a year ago.

I pray that God reveals Himself through our praise with songs that minister healing, hope, and truth. My desire as a worship leader is to draw people into the presence of the most High God…to be changed and to see Him magnified.

I am also passionate about health and love my job as a wellness educator. I enjoy running, playing soccer, reading, jet skiing, stroller rides, and spending time at the lake with my family. I always start my day with a hot cup of coffee and end with a cold cup of ice cream.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

Administrative Assistant, Mary Stewart

It has been my privilege to work and serve at First Baptist Church for 15 years since moving to Worthington in 1981. This has been where we raised our three children, Lindsay, Andrew, and Alex. Lindsay, husband, Brad, and granddaughter Ella live in Harrisburg, South Dakota. Andrew lives and works in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Alex is a senior at Bethel University.

I love serving the Lord in many ways through singing on worship team, helping with various ministries, and working in the office at FBC.  I love to read, cook, go on walks, travel and my new love is being a grandmother. My favorite places to travel have been Mexico,  Paraguay, and Germany . My husband and I love to spend time with our family and together with dog Sam.

Facility Maintenance, Tim & Camilla Aker