Michael Felkins

 Lead Pastor

Michael is our lead pastor. Along with preaching, Michael oversees the staff, elder board, and ministry planning team, along with oversight of the ministries of small groups, missions, college, family, and children. Michael also gives leadership to the elder team. Michael says his mission in life is to glorify God through the ministry of preaching, […]

Eric Schumacher

 Associate Pastor

Eric is our Associate Pastor and oversees the worship service planning and coordinating, and the ministries of Adult Foundations, Mens/Womens Ministry Team, Membership Classes, and general pastoral ministry. Eric is married to Jenny and they have five-school aged children: Josiah, Micah, Elijah, Ella, Judson. Eric is from Glidden, Iowa and has lived in Iowa almost […]

Terry Martens

 Elder

Terry serves as an elder as well as a small group leader and a leader in the children’s ministry. Terry has been at Grand Avenue Baptist Church for 38 years. Terry is married to Debbie and they have seven grown children, four of whom are married. They also have five grandchildren and one foster grandchild. […]

Dixie Carpenter

 Secretary

Dixie has served in our office for 20 years, 8 years as an office assistant and 12 years as the secretary. Dixie has been a member at Grand for 41 years. Dixie has been married to her husband Jim for 32 years and they are parents of an adult daughter, Kelsey, who is married to […]

Eric Brumm

 Deacon of Finance

Eric has the privilege of providing financial direction and oversight for the church. He enjoys serving in this practical way and using his gifts for the glory of God in the local church and in the workplace. He values time with his wife (Kim) and three young boys (Victor, Noble, Royal). He can usually be […]

Luke Jensen

 Deacon of Hospitality

Luke calls Ames home, where his family has lived since 1995. He ventured out for several years to the University of Northern Iowa where he obtained a dual-degree in Real Estate and Finance, and worked in Kentucky before coming back to Ames in 2008. Since his return to Iowa, he has continued to work in […]

Tim Thorsbakken

 Deacon of Properties

Tim has lived in rural Story County most of his life and claims Huxley as his hometown. He graduated from Ballard High School in Huxley and went to DMACC where he majored in business. Tim is married to Cathy and they have three sons, three daughters-in-law and 6 grandchildren with another one due in July. […]

Troy Jansen

 Benevolence Ministry

Troy oversees the benevolence ministry as part of a team that considers requests from those in need. His duties also include general supervision of our food pantry. Troy grew up in Parkersburg, Iowa, as the youngest of seven children. Troy is single. Troy graduated from Wartburg College in 1990 with a degree in Elementary Education. […]

Terry & Debbie Martens

 Children's Ministry

Terry and Debbie oversee the Children’s Ministry, grades K–5th grades at Grand Avenue. They help coordinate the Wednesday night program of grow252, Children’s Foundations on Sunday mornings and Backyard Kids Clubs in the summer months. Terry and Debbie both attended Iowa State University and first met when attending Grand Avenue Baptist as college students. Terry […]

Stacy Felkins

 Nursery/Preschool Coordinator

Stacy is the Nursery/Preschool coordinator and leads our nursery/preschool ministry team. Stacy is married to Michael and they have three children – daughters Sam and Alex and a son Mac. Stacy is originally from Louisiana but moved to Texas when she was 9 years old. She moved to Ames with her family in May of […]

Gary & Barb Fry

 Overflow Ministry