Leadership & Staff
Our Leadership
At Bethany, we recognize a leadership structure comprised of a plurality of Elders, Deacons and full-time staff. These men are identified and recognized by the congregation as active servants and teachers. They are not “super Christians”; they are everyday common men who strive to live by the disciplines specifically described in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9, and lead by principles of biblical leadership throughout the Old and New Testaments.
Brian Knight
Elder, Lead Pastor
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Brian and Amy live just outside of Lake Linden and have been married 33 years, as of this August. They have four adult children, two daughters-in-law, and one son-in-law – plus grandchildren. They are blessed to have all of their children living in the same community and walking with Christ.
How long have you been attending BBC?
I grew up as small child attending BBC (in the 70’s) when my father was attending Michigan Technological University, Amy and I returned to the area 20 years ago to that I could serve this church as a pastor.
What is your all-time favorite meal?
I love a good (rare) prime rib or ribeye steak.
What is your favorite book, movie and TV series?
The Word of God.
Amy and I will frequently unplug at the end of a long day by watching a few minutes of the TV series Dr. Pol.
What is your favorite city that you have visited?
I can’t think of a particular city, but if I do have a favorite, I’m sure it’s rural, small, rustic, and has good coffee.
What are two of your hobbies?
Hunting, the outdoors, and (almost) everything that goes with farming.
What is your favorite Bible character/story and why?
Mephibosheth – A son of Jonathon; he was lost, broken, cut off from the kingdom he once knew. God restored him by the grace and kindness of David the king. I too was lost – totally depraved, but restored to God through His grace and kindness in His Son Jesus.
What is the most daring thing that you have ever done?
This one seems hard to me; either backpack hunting in the Rocky Mountains or possibly hunting for bear from a ground blind with a bow?
Three books you’d want if stranded on a desert island?
A copy of the Bible, and now that I’m in my 50’s a pair of reading glasses.
What do you like best about Bethany Baptist Church (why you stayed)?
A group of people who are willing to hear, receive, and act on the teaching of the Word of God.
What is your current job and how did you come to be working there?
Lead pastor at Bethany Baptist Church – by God’s grace.
How did you meet your spouse and what was your honeymoon location?
Amy and I met at the church my family attended in Saginaw at that time of my life. I can still vividly remember the first time I saw her walk into the church as her family was new to the area. It took me nearly 3 years to convince her to pursue a relationship with me… that’s all I have to say about that.
Caleb Jackson
Elder, Associate Minister
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Caleb and Kelsey Jackson have been attending BBC for 5 years. They were married 9 years ago and have three daughters: Hazel (4), Adeline (3) and Emery (2). The Jackson family lives in Laurium.
What is your all-time favorite meal?
A Chipotle burrito: Steak, extra white rice, tomatoes, cheese, lettuce, and guacamole washed down with a root beer.
What is your favorite book, movie and TV series?
Book: Lord of the Rings, Movie: the 1990 cinematic masterpiece Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, TV series: either a nature documentary or the Crocodile Hunter with Steve Irwin
What is your favorite city that you have visited?
We don’t “visit” many cities for the sake of visiting, but Colorado Springs has some really cool trails and wild places.
What are two of your hobbies?
Birding and Waterfowl Hunting
What is your favorite Bible character/story and why?
Probably Joshua. He’s placed into the position of leading the exodus into the Promised Land, and even though he has big shoes to fill, a difficult task before him, and a disobedient and grumbling people behind him, he is resolved to serve and be faithful to the Lord.
What is the most daring thing that you have ever done?
It’s hard to say. There’s a fine line between daring and stupid, and sometimes we don’t know where it’s appropriate position may be. My guess is that it was the failed camping trip that I didn’t take anything that was needed for camping.
Three books you’d want if stranded on a desert island?
The Bible, unless that’s a cop-out. The Chronicles of Narnia or the Lord of the Rings, probably a book on sailing and how to build a boat on a desert island.
What do you like best about Bethany Baptist Church (why you stayed)?
We were sold when we met the people.
What is your current job and how did you come to be working there?
I’m the associate pastor
How did you meet your spouse and what was your honeymoon location?
I met my beloved at a conference where we were both learning about what we needed to do to go on staff with Cru. We honeymooned in a cabin in Hocking Hills, Ohio.
Steve Barnhart
Elder
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Steve is married to Rachel. They are blessed to have celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary this year. They have six children – two girls followed by four boys ( Ella, Elisabeth, Peter, Andrew, Philip and Timothy) ages 18 to 8. Steve and Rachel live in West Houghton, but garden in Dollar Bay. Steve’s been attending BBC since dating Rachel in college in the late 1990’s.
What is your all-time favorite meal?
My all-time favorite meal is anything that goes well with home-made baked beans or fresh sourdough bread. Bonus if it pairs with both!
What is your favorite book, movie and TV series?
Can I just say the Bible, or do I have to pick a book of the Bible? My favorite non-scripture book is Wind In The Willows. My favorite movie is probably a Marx brothers comedy. I haven’t seriously watched TV since the one summer my family got cable when I was in sixth grade.
What is your favorite city that you have visited?
My favorite city that I visited was Sintra, Portugal. I ate my first great calzoni, walked around a Moorish castle, and met a guy who thought he was a chicken.
What are two of your hobbies?
Two of my hobbies are beekeeping and reading about fixing things.
What is your favorite Bible character/story and why?
My favorite Bible character is Ezekiel because he experienced a stunning vision of God’s glory, then was asked to do some incredibly difficult and wacky things which would get just about anybody kicked out of society.
What is the most daring thing that you have ever done?
The most daring thing that I have ever done is to poke an elephant in the eye. I was probably about 5 years old and thankfully was whisked away just before the moment of contact.
Three books you’d want if stranded on a desert island?
I’d take the Bible (of course), Pilgrim’s Progress, and a copy of Boat Building Simplified
What do you like best about Bethany Baptist Church (why you stayed)?
The reason I stayed at Bethany Baptist Church is because God caused me to be united with His people in Dollar Bay. I love that he takes a bunch of different people and makes them one in Christ.
What is your current job and how did you come to be working there?
I am chief engineer for a local engineering firm. I was looking for a job during my senior year at Michigan Tech and was astonished to find a local internship there.
How did you meet your spouse and what was your honeymoon location?
I met Rachel at an Intervarsity group meeting at Michigan Tech and quickly got to know her as I joined her Bible study and group of friends. We honeymooned in the Apostle Islands.
Andrew Black
Elder
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Andrew has been married to the wife of his youth, Leanne, for almost thirty years. They’ve been blessed with six children and spouses, Hannah (& Ryan), Mollie (& Josh), Jeremiah, Mary, Samuel, and Titus – plus six grandchildren besides! Their children range in age from 12 to 28, and the number and spread in ages of their family is a story in itself – one they’d love to tell you sometime.
The Blacks currently live in the greater Hancock area, just up the hill from Dollar Bay. They’ve lived in the area now for six years, and have attended Bethany Baptist since the very beginning.
What is your all-time favorite meal?
Without a doubt, fettuccine alfredo – but most anything with meat gets my approval.
What is your favorite book, movie and TV series?
Book(s): The Bible, Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson
Movie: The Muppet’s Christmas Carol
TV series: Not much into TV series, but am currently a fan of the YouTube series Matt’s Offroad Recovery, Smarter Every Day, and Stuff Made Here.
What is your favorite city that you have visited?
Whichever city is closest to my home.
What are two of your hobbies?
Reading, hiking & spending time outdoors.
What is your favorite Bible character/story and why?
My favorite Bible story is from Luke 22:32-43. It tells of a hardened criminal who is radically changed when exposed to the person of Jesus. It tells of a Savior and God who was ready to forgive the man who had just earlier been reviling him. It shows us the heart of Jesus even while He was suffering, accomplishing the very work that would save the man (and us). It reveals the promise of being with Jesus in paradise the moment after departing this life. It’s a story of great contrasts and hope, and it never ceases to affect me.
What is the most daring thing that you have ever done?
Rappelled out of the bucket of a fire truck, 100 feet over the ground.
Three books you’d want if stranded on a desert island?
My Bible, a medical field guide, and any of Spurgeon’s books.
What do you like best about Bethany Baptist Church (why you stayed)?
The people. We consider the people of Bethany our family, who adopted us without hesitation when we transplanted here.
What is your current job and how did you come to be working there?
I currently work at the engineering company that I founded, Soli Consulting, and I provide software and electronics engineering services to a variety of clients in various industry segments. The story of how I came to be here is full of turns and God’s providence, and I’d love to tell you about it sometime.
How did you meet your spouse and what was your honeymoon location?
Leanne and I met at the birthday party of a high school friend the summer after I graduated high school. We got to talking afterward, and within a few months we were dating. The rest, they say, is history. Our story together is the most exciting part of my life, and Leanne is truly my best friend.
We were young and poor when married, so we drove to the nearest big city (Grand Rapids, MI at the time), and rented the best hotel room we could afford for two nights. That was our honeymoon, and we treasure many funny memories from that adventure.
Deacons
Kit Cischke
Deacon, Worship Team Leader
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Kit has been married to Julie for 23 years. They have three kids: Cameron – 18, Olivia – 16, and Heidi – 14. Kit lives in Houghton, MI and has been attending BBC for 18 years.
What is your all-time favorite meal?
Chicken burrito from Chipotle. Cilantro lime rice, no beans, fajita vegetables, corn salsa, guacamole. Chips and guac on the side with a Mountain Dew to drink.
What is your favorite book, movie and TV series?
Book: Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Movie: Three-way tie between “The Bourne Identity”, “Ocean’s Eleven”, and “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”.
TV Series: Choosing between one of the Star Trek series and “The Office” would be basically impossible.
What is your favorite city that you have visited?
New Orleans, LA. Delicious food, great sights, good weather.
What are two of your hobbies?
I ride bikes a LOT on paved roads, gravel roads, and mountain bike trails. I suppose you could consider playing music on saxophone and guitar a hobby.
What is your favorite Bible character/story and why?
My favorite story comes from Exodus 3-4, which is Moses at the burning bush. God introduces Himself using His name and introduces so much of His character. He has heard the cries of His people and will deliver them, He uses imperfect men to do His will, and stamps His claim on our lives (Exodus 4:11-12). To me, no other passage so perfectly balances God’s holiness and care for His creation.
What is the most daring thing that you have ever done?
A few years ago, my niece was getting married about 300 miles from our house. The week of the wedding, I got on my bike and started riding south, stopping every 100 miles or so to get a hotel room. I had never done back-to-back-to-back days like that before, had never ridden the vast majority of the roads and trails I had mapped out, and was riding alone. Even with all the rerouting I did on the fly, it was an amazing experience.
Three books you’d want if stranded on a desert island?
I mean, the obvious first answer is the Bible. After that, probably “Ender’s Game” and then something like “How to Thrive on a Tropical Deserted Island: A Primer for the Shipwrecked Sailor Or Living Off the Land in Paradise,” or I’m going to meet my creator sooner rather than later.
What do you like best about Bethany Baptist Church (why you stayed)?
Faithful, expository preaching of the Word with worship that has always balanced the great hymns of the faith with modern praise. The people are pretty okay, too.
What is your current job and how did you come to be working there?
I teach processor architecture and embedded systems classes at Michigan Technological University in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department. I’m also close to finishing my Ph.D. in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors, where I study memory and learning in engineering classrooms. Before that, I worked for an engineering company in Minneapolis. Unfortunately, they were moving away from the work I was doing, but luckily Michigan Tech was looking for someone to teach computer engineering classes. I’ve found that teaching is my calling, and I stay here in spite of (and definitely not *because of*) the Upper Peninsula weather.
How did you meet your spouse and what was your honeymoon location?
I was one of the drum majors of our high school marching band and had to get from the front of the field to the back during our first piece. Julie was the cute clarinet player in the line of marchers I had to jump through. She ate lunch with one of the guys from my math class. Since none of my other friends shared that lunch hour, I used my connection to him to start eating lunch with her and her friends. That was the Fall of 1995! We got married in August 2000 and honeymooned in the Smoky Mountains.
Matt Fifield
Deacon
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Adam Gill
Deacon
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Adam married the lead pastor’s youngest daughter, Clara in 2015. Adam, Clara and their three children: Brantley (6), Grace (4) and Sonny (2), live just outside of Lake Linden on an 80 acre hobby farm. Their farm is actually the “ORIGINAL” Jilbert’s Dairy farm. They have 3 dogs, a cat, with occasional extra farm animals running around. Adam has been attending Bethany since 2014. Bethany Baptist is the only church I have been a “member” at. Bethany is where he came to know and love the Lord. When he was a young man, Pastor Brian shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with him and was instrumental in helping Adam understand that he was a wretched sinner and taught him about the “saving grace” in Ephesians 2. It was at that time that Adam felt the entire church family at Bethany encourage and disciple him in his walk with Christ.
What is your all-time favorite meal?
Steak! I love me some Ribeye!
What is your favorite book, movie and TV series?
Book: …The Bible? (Is this a trick question?)
Movie: Miracle on Ice.
Tv Series: the office 🙂
What is your favorite city that you have visited?
I really enjoy visiting Louisville, Kentucky. I also enjoyed every city I have been able to visit in Alaska!
What are two of your hobbies?
Deer Hunting (Bow and Riffle)
Guitar. Playing as a part of the worship team!
What is your favorite Bible character/story and why?
As cliché/unoriginal as it will sound, the Apostle Paul. We see all through the New Testament all the trials that Paul went through. And sometimes I can have the nerve to think my life is hard… Paul’s life was filled with all of these terrible things and he brought glory to Christ through it all. He always kept the SON in his eyes. Paul teaches us all and is a perfect example that Christ will hold us fast. (If you’re reading this go and listen to the beautiful Hymn, “He will Hold me Fast”, and just dwell on Paul’s ministry and find confidence and comfort in the truths in Philippians 1:6. “He will hold me fast!”)
What is the most daring thing that you have ever done?
While I choose not to answer this question specifically, I will say that growing up as an unbeliever I lived a very worldly lifestyle for a lot of years. I am reminded of God’s AMAZING GRACE, “for I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind, but now I see.” Luke 15:4-7. Praise the Lord!
Three books you’d want if stranded on a desert island?
My Bible.
Strong’s Concordance
Hymnal
What do you like best about Bethany Baptist Church (why you stayed)?
Bethany has such a great group of people to be able to live life with. People from all different back grounds. Young families and people that have been members for a LONG TIME… Younger men, older men… Younger women, older women… (Just like we see it the book of Titus.) All of Bethany coming together and worshiping our Savior as one body, discipling each other, and bearing burdens with one another. The way that Christ has designed HIS church and knitted us together is something that I always find encouragement in.
What is your current job and how did you come to be working there?
I am the Executive Director at Gardenview Assisted Living and Memory Care in Calumet. The way I ended up at Gardenview is definitely a “God-thing”. It can be a long story as to how it all happened, but I am thankful for the way the Lord provided us with opportunities when He did.
How did you meet your spouse and what was your honeymoon location?
I met Clara while we were in Highschool. While we went to different schools, we had several friends in common. After high school Clara and I went to New Tribes Bible institute, where we got engaged and married the next year… For our honeymoon we went on a cross country road trip but the main destinations were Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Amory, Mississippi.
Alex Knight
Deacon
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Alex has been married to Maddy Knight for almost 3 years (10/24/2020). They live in the Lake Linden area (Bootjack more specifically). Alex has been attending BBC for 20 years.
What is your all-time favorite meal?
That’s a hard one. Probably Alfredo Pasta. Good Mexican food would be a very close second though.
What is your favorite book, movie and TV series?
Book: I don’t know that I have a favorite book. Lots of good books. I don’t know that I have a favorite.
Movie: I don’t know that I have a favorite movie. Lots of good movies. I don’t know that I have a favorite. Maybe the Patriot or Gladiator, but I don’t think I would recommend either of those to the church.
TV series: The Office (I’m not sure I would recommend the Office though. Crocodile Hunter with Steve Irwin would probably be number two for nostalgic reasons. If I had to recommend one to the church (kids, teens, adults) it would be Crocodile Hunter, not the Office.)
What is your favorite city that you have visited?
I don’t know that I have a favorite city. There’s no place like home. I have good memories visiting Chicago and Phoenix, but that has more to do with the people I was with than the place. There are some amazing places in Alaska and some western states that I wouldn’t mind visiting again, but I don’t think they would fit in the “city” category. Haha
What are two of your hobbies?
First, I hunting and hunting related activities. Second, house/property projects. This might not count as a hobby, but is one of the most satisfying things I do with my time.
What is your favorite Bible character/story and why?
Mephibosheth (Jonathan’s son, Saul’s grandson) and David.
My disclaimer on this is I had this portion of my response drafted before I knew my dad was planning to preach on it, so I’m not just copying him. It’s a story that my dad loves and I heard growing up as a kid (he might have the same choice). Great story of mercy and kindness shown to someone that didn’t deserve it. Great picture of Christ’s love for us.
What is the most daring thing that you have ever done?
Asked my wife on our first date.
Three books you’d want if stranded on a desert island?
A.) Bible
B.) Pilgrims Progress. I haven’t read it, but a desert island would be a good place with out distractions. Plus some fiction reading would be a nice change of pace.
C.) Maybe a hymnal or song book of some form. I don’t have a specific on picked out, but I think that even a non-musical person like myself would be encouraged by music on a desert island.
What do you like best about Bethany Baptist Church (why you stayed)?
The people. God has built his church and it’s a blessing to see his sovereign plan in the people he has placed in this church and how he uses them to build up the church for his glory.
What is your current job and how did you come to be working there?
I work at GS Engineering as a Test Engineer. I worked as a student intern at GS Engineering while attending MTU. After graduating I was offered a full time position.
How did you meet your spouse and what was your honeymoon location?
We met through Maddy’s sister and brother in-law (Matt and Valerie Radue). They were members at BBC and good friends and introduced us. We honeymooned in Phoenix, Arizona area.
Grant Olson
Deacon
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Grant has been married to Peg for 25 years. They have three sons, Andrew who is 23 and twins, David & Paul who are 18. The Olson family lives in Hancock and has been attending BBC for about 14 years.
What is your all-time favorite meal?
Cheeseburger (medium-rare), French fries, tossed salad, root beer float
What is your favorite book, movie and TV series?
Books: Endurance, The Klondike Fever Movie: Field of Dreams, It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World TV series: Andy Griffith Show, Hogan’s Heroes
What is your favorite city that you have visited?
Duluth, MN
What are two of your hobbies?
Playing hockey with the seniors, and playing sports with my sons. Hiking with my wife.
What is your favorite Bible character/story and why?
The parables, because they are about salvation. Favorite Bible character- Paul, I would have loved to have met him.
What is the most daring thing that you have ever done?
Hopped on a moving Illinois Central Railroad freight train to get home from college for Thanksgiving.
Three books you’d want if stranded on a desert island?
The Bible, Endurance, and Rand McNally atlas
What do you like best about Bethany Baptist Church (why you stayed)?
The caring congregation, consistent expository preaching, Bible-based teaching
What is your current job and how did you come to be working there?
Veterinarian, opened my own private practice 15 years ago in Hancock, MI
How did you meet your spouse and what was your honeymoon location?
Peg brought her troublesome dog to the veterinary clinic in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Honeymooned in New Zealand.
Office Staff
Chelsea DeKryger
Secretary
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Chelsea and her husband, Peter, have been married 8 years. They live with their two children – Jack (7) and Magnolia (5) – in Mohawk, a small town north of the church. Chelsea and Pete have been attending BBC for 6 years.
What is your all-time favorite meal?
Carnitas.
What is your favorite book, movie and TV series?
The Harry Potter series, Pride & Prejudice (the 2005 adaptation) and Downton Abbey.
What is your favorite city that you have visited?
New Orleans.
What are two of your hobbies?
Reading and cooking.
What is your favorite Bible character/story and why?
Paul (for the person he was and the grace he was shown). Philippians was the first book of the Bible that I did an in depth study on as a new believer.
What is the most daring thing that you have ever done?
I pet sharks!
Three books you’d want if stranded on a desert island?
The Bible, Harry Potter and How to Survive in the Wilderness.
What do you like best about Bethany Baptist Church (why you stayed)?
We stayed for the Bible based preaching. The bonus was finding a home church that also has a beautiful sense of community among the body.
What is your current job and how did you come to be working there?
I am the BBC Secretary. There was a vacancy in the position and I felt called to serve the church in this capacity.
How did you meet your spouse and what was your honeymoon location?
We met in college through one of my family members. We stayed local to our college town at the time to honeymoon.
Julie Cischke
Administrative Assistant
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Julie has been married to Kit Cischke for 23 years. They have three children – Cameron (18), Olivia (16) and Heidi (14). Julie and her family live in Houghton and have been attending Bethany Baptist Church for nearly 18 years.
What is your all-time favorite meal?
Grilled shrimp and veggie kebobs
What is your favorite book, movie and TV series?
Swiss Family Robinson, Cinderella (2015), The Brady Bunch
What is your favorite city that you have visited?
Valetta, Malta
What are two of your hobbies?
Cleaning, Walking
What is your favorite Bible character/story and why?
After confronting the king Ahab and prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, Elijah succumbs to discouragement and despair. Then God provides rest, nourishment and a glimpse of Yahweh in “a whisper”. (1 Kings 19:1-19) Amidst the busyness of life it is so encouraging to know that our God knows my worries and can care for my entire being – physically, emotionally and spiritually.
What is the most daring thing that you have ever done?
Took 6 children (all under 9!) to the emergency room so one could be treated for a broken arm.
Three books you’d want if stranded on a desert island?
Bible, Swiss Family Robinson, Dictionary
What do you like best about Bethany Baptist Church (why you stayed)?
Sound teaching and people seeking to live out their faith
What is your current job and how did you come to be working there?
I started working as an Administrative Assistant to assist with staffing transitions in the office and as a way to stretch my “engineering-muscles” after the blessing of being home with our three kids.
How did you meet your spouse and what was your honeymoon location?
Kit and I met in high school – in the marching band. We spent our honeymoon in the Smoky Mountains.