Leadership
Hans Kistner – Lead Pastor
I am thankful to have been invited to serve with this congregation since 2000. This church family has become a place where God is given more freedom every day to provide rescue and healing to Santa Barbara, Nicaragua, Africa, Mexico and other parts of the world. Right now we are re-designing our Sunday morning ministries with children, teens and young adults and their families. Our fabric is being remade into a more effective, worshipful, healthy church community for the 21st century.
I’ve been called to this field believing in the emergence of a new, whole, Body of Christ made up of Scriptural, Prophetic, Contemplative and Scriptural streams. I believe revival has arrived in today’s Church and that we will all be singing a new song, soon.
I love living between the mountains and the ocean with my wife and four children. I have an artist’s heart, a shepherd’s schedule, and a custodian’s hands. I have served or currently serve with the leadership of Network Medical, Valle Verde Retirement Community and the Santa Barbara House of Prayer. I completed my ASA 101 sailing certification in 2010 and enjoy not being towed from stormy oceans by the Harbor Patrol...again.
Jesus gives me life in every way. But to be more specific, God placed me with loving parents in Southern Virginia to be introduced to Him on earth and to be entrusted with a Southern accent. I have had godly mentors since, an inspiring season with Campus Crusade for Christ, and an introduction to theology through Fuller Seminary. I am a contemplative Baptist with Presbyterian and Messianic-Jewish chapters. I’m an Associate of the Order of the Holy Cross. I like Germany and many of its theologians, especially Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
If you want to know more, we should be facebook friends or come by some time.
Education / M.Div. Fuller Theological Seminary; B.S. Film Boston University
email: hans@firstbaptistsb.com
Jon Bancroft – Associate Pastor
I’m the director of Journey Ministries which is one of the branches of ministry at First Baptist Church. Journey Ministries will have a few different components. The mission of Journey is: “To develop followers of Jesus by preparing servant leaders through adventure and service opportunities in authentic community.”
First of all, ...adventure! We offer Christ-centered experiential adventure opportunities to both the Santa Barbara local community and afar. I know many ministires do not have the means to provide outdoor experiences for their youth. Journey Ministries offers opportunities, such as rock climbing, mountain biking, surfing, and backpacking, with the purpose of sharing the love of Jesus and building deep and real relationships. The outdoor activities serve as a door to introduce people to the love of Jesus.
Secondly... service! My hope is to see the body of Christ united in Santa Barbara, and help ready them to serve our community in tangible ways. I believe many people want to be involved in getting their hands dirty serving others. This program gives direction and opportunity for local churches, youth groups, small groups, or even individuals to serve in the Santa Barbara community through short-term home and neighborhood improvement projects. The over-arching purpose would be to build relationships, love the community, and share the Word.
Thirdly... community! I’m also a member of the Elder leadership of a new church for teens called NuBranch. NuBranch is a teen-staffed fellowship emerging from a variety of communities in Santa Barbara. NuBranch introduces Jesus to this generation of teenagers and equips them with the practices of listening to God, devotional growth, teaching skills, lifestyles of worship and service, so that they can reach their generation in their own language. Their goals will include inviting others to follow Jesus, growing in their gifts and service, as well as planting other NuBranch communities.
April and I are celebrating over 16 years of marriage and our 4 precious children.
Education / M.A. Religion, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA (in progress) B.S., Southwestern College, Phoenix, AZ
email: jon@firstbaptistsb.com
Tomi Eaton – Children’s Director
I love kids. I love the smiles on their faces and their curiosity. But I really love their perspective. It's amazing what you see when you are so close to the ground. It's beautiful in a raw sort of way. I think it's the good stuff, perhaps that's why Jesus beckoned them to him and blessed them.
I chuckle as I say all of this knowing that there was a time in my life when I was adamant that I would never have kids and didn't want to marry. Fast forward to today where my days are filled with my best friend, my husband, and our two kids and you see why I chuckle. Be careful what you say 'never' to, Jesus has a sense of humor and he's not afraid to use it.
Speaking of humor, by training I am Fashion & Business major who dabbled here and there in Law. A few years back I chose to hang up my heels for a time and be Mom to my kids. Enter a world surrounded by children. And here I am.
I get to bless them, to walk close to the ground with them, to breathe Love on their wonderful perspectives and then to release them. And then I get to excite a whole bunch of people to do the same type of thing that I just did because it takes a village to raise a child.
We have the chance to shape this next generation. As a community, we are stepping out boldly toward them in the name of Love because we believe in their destinies and that they can achieve them. After all, they need us because our ceilings are their floors.
So if you are ever in the mood for snack, swing by the Kid's Room on Sunday morning. We'll share.
email: tomi@firstbaptistsb.com
Council Members
Debbie Price – Vice Moderator
Dessiree Searl – Secretary
God has been very present in my life in recent years, helping to keep me grounded when my husband died and leading me to be more active with FBC. He gave me the desire to learn more about his word and I have started attending two Bible Studies on Sunday mornings, which I had never done before. I also sing in the church choir. He has called me to be more involved in our church and I am now a member of the church council. God has said,
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
So, with the Psalmist I sing, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
I believe that God is leading our church in a new direction with more emphasis on the youth of our congregation and the community, along with more interaction and activities for our seniors.
I am a firm believer that keeping one’s body in shape and good health is so important in conjunction with our spiritual life and that is why I power walk 3-4 times a week. Gives me a time to “talk to God” when I need more time with Him and listen to uplifting music when I don’t have anything to say. My “adventure” through Alzheimer’s disease with my husband for many years, brought me closer to God because I knew I could lean on Him and He would give me strength and guide me on the path that I needed to take.
email: dessi@cox.net
Art Sanchez – Member
Todd Eaton - Member
Joanne Bouslough - Member
Worship
Elaine Parkey – Choir Director
I'm the chief canary! I stepped into the role of Choir Director in 1981 until a replacement could be found... here I am, 30 years later! I love having the opportunity to serve the Lord with this church family and the wonderful choir that will take on challenging and inspirational pieces. I participate in the Santa Barbara Women's Club and enjoy making a regular trip to the Bluegrass festivals around southern California. I'll look forward to meeting you, and... can you sing?
Education: Masters in Music; Piano, University of Southern California.
email: elaineparkey@cox.net
Nancy Sanchez – Worship Team Coordinator
Darrell Degenhart - Organist
We have been residents of Santa Barbara for 34 years. I have been singing bass in the choir of First Baptist Church for 12 years and for the last 10 years I've also been the organist. For more than 65 years I have been involved in printing, including 15 years as publisher of weekly newspapers--nine years in Yucca Valley and six years in Coachella. I graduated with a B.S. in Education in 1953 from a Kansas college prior to moving to California in 1962.
email: ddgraphics3@aol.com
Administration
Belinda Busby – Office Administrator
I have been serving with the First Baptist family since 2003 and my work is front office ministry. I'll help folks schedule weddings, meetings, worship. I provide the various communities with the opportunity to partner in mission on the Veronica Springs campus. I look forward to an having a chance to welcome you! I'm blessed by my husband, four children and my 3 grandsons.
email: office@firstbaptistsb.com