Our Leadership

- Our Leadership -

Elders

Josh Holler, Lead Pastor

Josh was born and raised in Southwest Kansas. Immediately following high school he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served on two deployments to Iraq between 2007-2009 with 1st Battalion 7th Marine Regiment. Following his service, he attended Wheaton College where be attained his BA, Covenant Theological Seminary for his MDiv, and he is currently a PhD candidate at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Biblical Studies & Ethics. He is the author of Redeeming Warriors (2020, Christian Focus), and is a lover of Christ, theology, writing, occasional poetry, and expositional preaching. In 2009 he married the love of his life, Laura. They have five beautiful children.

Curtis McClain, Teaching Pastor

Dr. Curtis McClain is a professor of Bible and former Director of Christian Studies at MBU, where, in 2024, he began his 37th year of service. He comes from a rich heritage of ministry in Southern Baptist life. During college and seminary days, he
worked in two youth ministries, participated in mission trips to Mexico and Wyoming, pastored two churches, and taught in a school for children with learning difficulties. He came to MBU near the end of seminary training. While serving MBU, he has been the interim pastor of nine churches, participated in mission trips to Latvia, Australia, and Africa. In addition, he has been to Israel twice.

Curtis and Patsy, his wife of 42 years, have two wonderful daughters and nine
grandchildren. Their first daughter, Beth, married Joshua Porch. They have seven
children: Faith (13), Grace (12), Angel (11), Samuel (10), Nathaniel (10), Ruth (9),
and Levi (5). Their youngest daughter, Meredith, married Trevor Clevenger and
has two children: Remington [(Remy) 2] and Skylar (1 month). Beth’s family live
next door to Curtis and Patsy while Meredith’s live within two miles. Meredith’s
family currently attend FBC, St. John as well.

We are in the prayerful pursuit of other men to raise up as elders in our church.

Deacons

Stephen "Pie" Peistrup

Stephen "pie" Peistrup and his wife Gail, have been at FBC St. John since '96. He studied Music Ed. at William Jewell College and Christian Ministry and Leadership at Missouri Baptist University. They have adult twin daughters, both are married, and have one granddaughter. Gail and Pie have been retired since '21. They enjoy going to Cardinal games together and watching college football, separately. She is a 'Bama fan and he loves Mizzou. They love serving the Lord together, both having led the youth as a team for 20 plus years, and hope to find new opportunities going forward. Soli Deo Gloria.

Bryan Clay

Born and raised in the Lou to James and Mary Clay. He is the youngest of their three children. Bryan has been married to his wife Dawn for 30 years and they have two adult children Bryan and Brandon. Brandon is Married to Rebecca, and they have two children Nora and Peyton. He enjoys traveling with his wife and trying new food in different places where they go. In Bryan's own words, "It is God who has made me a better father, husband, and friend. He has shown me how far I have come but I still can't see how far I have to go. All praise to my God who broke me only to grow me. "

Gary Beck

Gary was born in St. Louis and has lived here his entire life. He is a husband to Danielle, and father to Brody, Lucas and Abigail. He has received theological training from Brookes Bible College. He enjoys smoking meat, studying theology, and spending time with his family. Aside from serving as a deacon, Gary teaches an adult Sunday School discipleship class and helps lead the Men's Ministry.

Joe McCaslin

Joe has been a member of FBC St. John for 32 years and has served the church in many ways including his current office as a deacon. Joe loves watching the St. Louis Cardinals, cooking, and His savior, Jesus Christ.

Music Minister

Jamie Stull

Jamie Stull was born in southeast Missouri. He has lived most of his life in St. Louis
County. Jamie has a B.S. in elementary education from UMSL and a M.Ed in
educational processes from Maryville University. He has been a middle school teacher
for 29 years in both public and private schools. He has also been involved in
homeschooling his own children. Jamie also taught English classes for three semesters
at Brooke’s Bible College. Along with pursuing a teaching career, Jamie has served
bi-vocationally as a Music Minister/Worship Leader at four different churches in the St.
Louis area. He has worked as director of development for a local Christian non-profit,
has been involved with a church plant, and has enjoyed serving on multiple short-term
mission projects.

Jamie enjoys many hobbies including home and garden projects and hunting, but
singing and being involved in music is at the top of his list. In addition to his long-time
involvement in music ministry, Jamie was also privileged to sing for several years with
the international champion men’s chorus, the Ambassadors of Harmony.

Jamie, and his wife, Betsy, have four adult children and one grandchild. They enjoy
being involved at FBC St. John, as it is the church where Jamie came to a saving faith
in Jesus Christ as a teenager, and where he and Betsy first met over 40 years ago.

Staff

Donita Forsythe, Church Secretary

Donita is married to Todd and is very proud of her two adult children, Ryland and Emily. Donita has been a church secretary at FBCSJ since 2000. When you call the church she will be the one on the other end and will probably be able to answer any questions you may have. Donita came to FBCSJ through our Mother’s Day Out program with her children and has been here ever since. Donita is an Iowa girl and a diehard Chicago Cubs fan first and St. Louis Cardinals fan second. She loves to travel and explore, enjoys most sports and loves to laugh.