Abundant Life Assembly of God

Pastor Jeff  Baker and his wife Chris have been in the ministry for more than twenty years.  In 1985 the couple married and moved directly to Springfield, Missouri to finish Pastor Jeff's education.  After graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Biblical Studies, the couple began pastoring their first church in Industry, Illinois.

Pastor Jeff has always had a love for the media.  In high school he worked as a weekend D.J. at WGGH.  He worked four years in the circulation department for the Southern Illinoisan Newspaper.  In 1984, when WTCT went on the air, Pastor Jeff was among the first employees hired to run the TV station.    

When the couple moved to Springfield, Missouri, Pastor Jeff continued to work in television working for two different commercial stations in the production and engineering departments.  The couple also served as Children's Pastors at Oak Grove Assembly of God, a large church in Springfield, Missouri.  Along with working their other jobs and pursuing Jeff's education, it was a very busy time in their lives.

The Bakers pastored in Industry, Illinois from 1988 until 1991.  From there they took the reins of Christian Life Assembly in Coal City where they pastored from 1991 until 1995.  In June of 1995 Pastor Jeff joined his father copastoring Abundant Life Assembly.  In January 1997, Pastor Jeff was elected as the Senior Pastor when his father, Roy, left to begin pastoring in Carbondale.

Pastor Jeff also served as the presbyter for the Southern Illinois District Council of the Assemblies of God for 5 1/2 years.  He was elected to that position in 2003.  Pastor Jeff is still involved in the media serving as host of the Ask the Pastor program and other programs on the TCT TV Network.

Pastor Jeff and Chris reside in Marion and have four children.

 

 

Earl Culp

This is the first time Earl has served as a deacon.  Earl and his wife Betty live outside of Marion in an old church they have made into a beautiful home.  He worked at GM for 17 years in Lansing, Michigan where he and Betty met and fell in love.  He started out in the production line and worked his way to Safety Coordinator.  Earl & Betty felt the call of God on their lives to move to southern Illinois where they attended Calvary Campus for 18 years.  While at Calvary Campus, they took international students into their home, a total of 17 different nations with 109 people living with them from a few days to 2 1/2 years.   Together, they have 5 children and 11 grandchildren. 

Earl's hobby is to make and fix things since he is now retired.

Earl hopes to see people from different nations and backgrounds all praising God here at Abundant Life.  And for the people here to be known as good, moral people, to be filled with the Spirit of the Lord and a church with an excellent reputation in the community and throughout the world.  A place where the building and parking lot is full to overflowing.

Craig Hostetler

This is the first time Craig has served as a deacon.  He was raised in Marion and graduated in 1987 from Marion High School.  He tried to be a rock star in Phoenix, Arizona and Los Angeles, California for a few years.  He came home and met and married the beautiful Gina.  They both finally came to Jesus..were called into the ministry, and eventually pastored a church for a time. God's move and Spirit led them to Abundant Life where they are now in the process of being credentialed with the Assemblies of God.  Craig & Gina have three incredible, wonderful, intelligent and cool kids: Max, Nicholas and Mary Anne.  Gina works in the church office as the church secretary.

Craig works for Heartland Mechanical Contractors.  He is an estimator and project manager.  They are a commercial heating and cooling company.

Craig reads the Bible, plays the guitar, and hangs out with Gina and the kids in his spare time.  He is addicted to Starbucks, likes long walks on the beach, sunsets and dinners for two.

Craig hopes to see Abundant Life reach the community in a relevant manner, propagating the message of Jesus Christ with clarity and biblical integrity.  Not being bound by tradition or seeming limitations but being inspired by what God wants to do in this time and in this place.  He hopes to see Abundant Life continue in and expand her rich history of loving one another and loving God. 

 

Rick Kraniewski 

 This is Rick's first time to serve as deacon.  He is married to Donna and they have 2 beautiful daughters, Lindsey and Kate.  Rick enjoys doing anything with his family, photography, hiking and sports.  He is self-employed and owns the "The Job Shop" where he does welding,metal fabrication and painting.  Rick was born in Chicago, moved to Marion when he was 6 years old and met Donna at the age of 10. 

Rick also works in our sound booth at the church and keeps things going smoothly for Pastor Jeff and the worship team. Rick is getting ready to start a new and exciting part of ministry, he is being called to preach the word of God.  He comes from a different religious background and has found this family of God to be truly remarkable.  Rick believes the vision Pastor Jeff has of this church is given by God and prays  for the leadership and ministries of this church to follow God's Word and to be ready for the incredible blessings that are coming!  One of his favorite songs says: Greater Things Are Yet To Come!

 

Bill Minton

Bill has served as deacon before at Abundant Life so this is his 3rd term as deacon.  So he comes in with plenty of experience.  Bill is married to Marcy and they live at the Lake of Egypt.  They have 3 children, 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.  Bill and Marcy have attended Abundant Life since 1995.  Bill is a retired construction electrician and worked as an electrician for 37 years. He was in the USAF for 4 years.  Marcy retired from the Mars factory and now enjoys staying at home.

Bill's main hobby is playing golf.  He is also a volunteer firefighter and EMT for the Lake of Egypt.

Bill hopes to see Abundant Life grow and build an all purpose building sometime in the future.  

 

 

James Short 

 James worked for Freedom Transport as a dispatcher until he had a heart attack.  He now volunteers at Heartland Hospital and in the church office.  James has been married to Beverly for 31 years.  They have 6 children and 2 grandchildren. Beverly babysets for children in their home.  James has been on the deacon board off and on for a total of 24 years.  He is asking for his entire family to be saved.  This is to say, his ENTIRE family, not just immediate family, but Aunts, Uncles, cousins, etc.  this is a tall order, but he knows nothing is too much to ask of God.  This is his heart's desire.  James isn't sure what God has in store for him, but he is certain God will be with him every step of the way and will lend him the strength and wisdom to do His will.

James has attended Abundant Life for the past 24 years.

Articles & Resources for Church Workers

  • Starting a Greeter Program
    Four years ago I accepted the challenge of evangelism chairperson for our church. One of the first programs the pastor and I developed was the Sunday morning greeter program.
  • Motivating the Right Person into the Right Ministry
    One of the greatest challenges for most leaders is selecting and motivating the right people into the right ministry positions in hopes of minimizing turnover and frustration. Even in the smaller church with limited personnel, it is important to coordinate people and ministry as much as possible.
  • “I TRIED, BUT NO ONE EVER CALLED ME”
    “I tried, but no one ever called me” are painful words for a leader who has much work to do and not enough people willing to do it. These words are painful for the person who wanted to contribute, but was never called. These are also painful words for a person who is committed to helping people connect and contribute in meaningful ways within the church.