Hometown: Hurt, VA
Education: Bachelor of Arts degree from Bluefield College, Bluefield, Virginia; Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina; Doctor of Ministry degree from Liberty Theological Seminary, Lynchburg, Virginia
Ministry: Pastor Joey began as Lead Pastor at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Colonial Heights, Virginia in October 2015, coming here from Midway Baptist in Phenix, VA where he served for 18 years. Prior to Midway, he served in other pastoral ministries in North Carolina and in Virginia. In addition to his years of pastoring, he has served as a Trustee for the North American Mission Board, SBC, from 2008-2016, as well as serve on the Executive Board of the SBCV. Presently, he also serves as the Ambassador to the Pastors of Virginia for the North American Mission Board.
He and his wife, Angela Massie Anthony, have been happily married since 1988 and have four children and six grandchildren, so far.
Life Verse: Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
Hometown: Denver, CO
Education: Dual Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and Political Science from Jacksonville University; Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Ministry: As a child he moved around to military bases in Alabama, Texas, Alaska, and Colorado again before settling down as a civilian in Boise, Idaho. It was at this time that he trusted Jesus to be his Lord and Savior. After graduating high school, he attended Jacksonville University, where he enjoyed flying and rowing and made lifelong friends before he moved to Virginia.
He met his wife-to-be, Glenice, in Virginia Beach when she moved next door to him. God is so good! They tied the knot and moved to Chicago, Illinois for her psychology residency. They have been blessed with two sons, Benjamin and Grayson.
Although they have been active members of Mount Pleasant since 2001, Mike began to recognize and respond to God’s call to ministry in 2014. He is excited to lead the 55+ & Pastoral Care Ministry. His mission is to bring glory to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, by discipling and encouraging senior adults in their spiritual growth.
Life Verse: …I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. Colossians 1:25-29
Hometown: Chesterfield, VA
Education: Bachelor of Science in Worship and Music Studies from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia; currently pursuing a Master of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky Bachelor of Science in Worship and Music Studies from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia; currently pursuing a Master of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky
Ministry: Pastor Brian began serving as the Worship Arts Pastor at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in September of 2015. Prior to Mount Pleasant, he served for two years at New Bridge Baptist Church in Sandston, VA. He has been married to his beautiful wife, Bonnie for nine years, and they have two children, David and Clara. Pastor Brian enjoys reading and spending time with his family, and is passionate about his ministry – his mission is to lead the body of believers in Christ-centered worship that lifts high the name of Jesus and makes Him known, both in our community and worldwide. His desire is that every day, each member would live lifestyles of worship before King Jesus.
Life Verse: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Hometown: Evansville, IN
Education: Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies from University of Southern Indiana and Master of Theological Studies at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Ministry: He is married to a wonderful and beautiful wife, Alison. We have 2 daughters (Amelia Grace and Harper Jane) and a son (Liam James). He is a huge sports fan, loving anything to do with: Indiana University, Chicago Cubs (2016 World Champs), Dallas Cowboys, or Utah Jazz. He also loves to play sports, spend time with my family, watch movies, and hanging out with students.
He has been in ministry since 2000, and served the previous 4 years prior to coming to Mount Pleasant at Bethel Baptist Church in North Vernon, IN. I also love studying theology and listening to sermons. Some of my favorite scholars are John Piper, Matt Chandler, Mark Dever, David Platt, JD Greear, Russell Moore, John MacArthur and Tim Keller.
We want to partnership around the world in order for the gospel to spread to the ends of the earth. These partners should be biblically focused and missional minded. We pray daily for all of our partners around the world and ask for God to give us guidance on who to partner with in the future.
Life Verse: For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. Isaiah 48:11
Hometown: Berwick, PA
Education: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Liberty University. Masters in Discipleship and Church Ministry from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
Ministry: God called Pastor Garrett into the ministry at the end of his junior year at Liberty University. He has a deep passion for Children’s Ministry and a desire to encourage and equip parents as they lead their kids into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Before coming to Mount Pleasant, Garrett served as the Children’s Pastor at GO Church in Orlando, FL.
Being a big sports fan, Garrett takes advantage of every chance he gets to play and watch sports. On top of that, he enjoys visiting historical landmarks, using his smoker to cook for friends and family, and hanging out with his family and the kids at Mount Pleasant.
Pastor Garrett loves the city of Colonial Heights and strives to create a close relationship with the local elementary schools. He leads Good News Club and organizes different ways to partner with the schools throughout the year.
Pastor Garrett is happily married to Heather Oppel (Pastor Joey’s daughter) and they have two children, Ettamae and Tobias.
Life Verse: “Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.” 1 Peter 5:2
Hometown: Dinwiddie, VA
Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA | Currently Pursuing Master of Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, MO
My Mission: To demonstrate through my words, actions, and lifestyle the joy of being a disciple of Jesus. I aim to encourage and challenge people, especially youth, to follow Jesus Christ.
My Vision: When I was younger, I hated when people said, “Do what I say and not what I do.” But as I have grown, I have learned why people say things like this. It is extremely hard to do the right things. It is hard to show love without selfishness, to be kind and compassionate, to stand for justice and still forgive people who hurt you. It is much easier to say the right thing than to do it. That is why I am so thankful for Jesus Christ.
In Jesus, God demonstrated that He does not sit safely in heaven and say, “Be better!” But as it says in Philippians 2:5-8, He emptied Himself and became a man. A man who lived perfectly and then laid down His life for us. A man who did not merely say, “Do this!” but instead He said, “Follow me.” And that is my goal. I desire to follow Christ. And I desire to call people to follow Christ with me.
I want to walk with the students in this church as we follow Christ. Using whatever means are prudent, be it through personal conversations, small groups, or expository Bible teaching I want to encourage and challenge my brothers and sisters to follow Christ with me. I also want to reach out with them to their neighbors. For I believe that true disciples make disciples. I know that as our students walk as those set apart by God this will be a witness to the world around them. It will be an invitation to follow Him with us.
Life Verse: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8
