Our Pastor

I grew up in the home of missionary Bob Ballou. In 1987, we began deputation to be missionaries to the Philippine Islands. In 1989, we began shipping containers to the Philippines for the Independent Baptist missionaries and churches there. We also shipped to Albania, South Africa, and Nigeria in the early 90’s. In 1992, we began a printing ministry in the Philippines. We printed gospel tracts, Bibles, books, and Sunday School materials for over 4000 Independent Baptist churches in the Philippines. I was saved at the age of five years old when I realized I was a sinner and I needed Christ. I was baptized shortly thereafter and felt the call of God on my life to preach the Gospel. When I graduated from high school, I was traveling with my family, singing in churches and conferences while my dad preached and presented the ministry. As my dad spent more time in the Philippines with the printing ministry, I began to represent the ministry in churches here in the U.S. At that time, I also had several invitations to preach in youth meetings and churches that we knew. Our family has produced five musical recordings and has ministered in music for several years. While traveling, I had the privilege of preaching in about 200 different churches and many youth conferences and other special meetings. In January 2006, the Lord led us to come off the road and opened the door for us to begin working a job and helping in our local church. For over two years we served at Berean Baptist Church in Adrian, Mi. Then in early 2008 Stephanie’s dad began preparations to start a church in Shipshewana, IN. Shortly after they started the church, we moved to Indiana to assist in the work there. We remained in the work there for 13 years until we were called to Community Baptist Church in Curwensville, PA as the Senior Pastor. 

After resigning from Community in December 2023, we began praying about where God would have us serve. For the last couple years, I have seen the great need for church planting here in Pennsylvania. There are many towns and areas that have little to no gospel preaching, soulwinning churches. So, having a burden for the need for churches in Pennsylvania, it seemed that God would not let us leave this state. We began praying and looking hard at the churches and areas of need, and after much prayer God has directed our family to New Castle to start an Independent Baptist Church. We are excited to begin reaching the people of New Castle with the gospel.