Our Pastors
Pastor Russ Reemtsma
Pastor Russ graduated from Pillsbury Baptist Bible College of Owatonna, Minnesota, with a B.S. degree in 1981, and from Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree in 1986. The year following his graduation from Calvary he was called to be the pastor of Grace Baptist Church of Marshfield, Wisconsin where he served for over 12 years. Then God called Pastor Reemtsma and his family to Clarkston where he has ministered since July, 2000. Pastor and his wife, Kathryn, have three grown children: April, Justin, and Jocelyn.
Pastor Brandon Siwula
Pastor Brandon has had the opportunity to serve in youth ministry for over a decade and is excited to lead the Next-Gen ministry at First Baptist Church of Clarkston. He earned his B.A. in youth ministries and is currently working his masters in Christian Ministry at Shepherds Theological Seminary. He previously served as an assistant pastor in the Chicagoland area and assisted a Church plant in North Carolina. He is married to Noel, and they have one daughter named Hope.
Pastor Dan Campbell
Pastor Dan grew up in Clarkston and was led of the Lord to attend Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, Wisconsin, graduating in 1990. He became the associate pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Beloit, Wisconsin for four and a half years before becoming the founding pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Leonard, MI. After 14 years of ministry in Leonard, the Lord led him and his family to First Baptist of Clarkston as the associate pastor. Pastor Dan and his wife, Sharon, have three grown children: Bethany, Justin, and Clayton.
Purpose & Growth
The purpose of First Baptist Church is to make and multiply followers of Jesus Christ, who will glorify God by winning others to Christ, building others in Christ and equipping others for Christ.
Our Focus: GROWTH
To accomplish our mission of winning others to Christ, building others in Christ, and equipping others for Christ, First Baptist Church strives to focus on six Biblical objectives. (Hover over the below boxes to learn more.)
G
G
Grounding ourselves in God’s Word through Biblical preaching, teaching, and personal study
Acts 2:42 – And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
R
R
Relating Biblical love through fellowship within the body
Acts 2:44-45 – They had all things in common and shared what they had with others.
O
O
Outreaching with heart-felt compassion to a lost and dying world
Acts 2:47 – God added people to the church who were being saved.
W
W
Worshiping the Lord through Biblical praise and excellent service
Acts 2:43 – Fear (an attitude of awesome reverence) came upon every soul.
T
T
Training leaders through Biblical teaching and Christian service
Acts 2:42 – They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching.
Acts 2:44 – Now all who believed were together and had all things in common.
H
H
Humbly praying with dependence on God
Acts 2:42 – They continued in prayers.
Our Core Beliefs
Becoming A Member
Here are eight reasons why we think believers should also be members of local churches:
- To fulfill the “one another” commands of Scriptures (Gal 5:13; Rom 12:10).
- To fulfill biblical responsibility towards [leaders] (Heb 13:7, 17).
- To clearly identify oneself as a believer (Acts 2:41-47).
- To promote order in the church (1 Cor 14:40; 1 Pet 5:1-2).
- To make one’s commitment to Christ public.
- To fulfill ministry responsibilities (1 Pet 4:10).
- To enjoy ministry privileges.
- To be held accountable (Gal 6:1-5).
Taken from Wayne Mack, To Be or Not to Be a Church Member? That Is the Question! (Calvary Press, 2004).
We realize that many people will have questions about what they are signing up for if they choose to join First Baptist Church. We provide a membership class/packet to help answer these questions. This class is available as needed.
Every prospective member is interviewed by a pastor or deacon. Upon the recommendation of the pastors and deacons, each prospective member is presented to the congregation to be formally accepted into membership.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. We are an independent church. This means that we are self-governing and are not connected with
any denomination. We, from time to time, have participated with other like churches to do missionary
work and other cooperative projects.
For preaching and teaching, we use the New King James Version.
Our worship slant is conservative. We sing old hymns as well as newer songs and choruses.
When you come to First Baptist Church, you’ll find some business casual, some “Sunday Best,” and some dress casual. We aren’t concerned with what you are wearing when you join us…we just want you to join us.
Pastor Russ is committed to expository preaching. That means that you’ll hear a Bible message based on the Biblical text right before you.
Feel free to contact the church and someone will be very happy to answer them for you.
Knowing God
Have you been wondering how to really personally know God? God hasn’t left us in the dark about how to know Him. He’s made it very clear in His Word, the Bible.
First, He created mankind with the intention for mankind to know Him. He made man in His image (Gen 1:26-27), but mankind rebelled, plunging everyone into a state of sinfulness and separation from God (Gen 3; Romans 5:12).
But God, in His love, sent His one and only Son, Jesus, the perfect God-man, to pay the penalty for our sin, so that we may have eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus, being innocent, lived a perfect life, died for us and was buried, then He rose from the dead (1 Cor 15:3-4). Those who repent of sin and trust Him alone will be saved (1 John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23).
Would you turn from sin and trust Him today? Contact us; we would love to help you.
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