Our pastor grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan. He graduated from Springfield High School in May of 1987. Seven months later he married his high school sweetheart Kim Hacker on January 9, 1988. In June of that year, he entered the United Sates Air Force where he served his country proudly for 12 ½ years. In the Air Force he was a Law Enforcement Specialist, Security Police Investigator and a Recruiter. Their oldest child Sean was born in June of 1990. In December 1991, he departed for an assignment to Woodridge RAF, England. It was in England that he was born again. On January 2, 1992, after his supervisor, SSgt Paul Simonson, explained the Gospel message to him, he bowed his head and called upon Jesus Christ to save his soul. He was baptized and joined Faith Baptist Church of Bromeswell, England, under the leadership of Pastor Greg Iehl. After a year and a half in England, the base closed down and he was transferred to Rein Main Air Base just outside of Frankfurt, Germany. In Germany, they were members of First Missionary Baptist Church under Pastor Ronnie Munson. It was there, that Pastor and Mrs. Letson’s second child, Rachael, was born. In January 1995, Pastor Letson was called to preach during a Missions Conference. In January of 1996, they transferred to Muskegon, Michigan where he was an Air Force Recruiter. While stationed in Muskegon, he was a member of Broadway Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Robert Evans. He served as Youth Leader, Bus Driver and Deacon. He preached regularly at the local Rescue Mission and filled the pulpit for his pastor, as well as other churches, when the opportunity was available.

In November 1999, the Letson’s transferred across state to a recruiting assignment in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where Pastor Letson recruited Health Professionals for the Air Force. They became members of North Sharon Baptist Church in Grass Lake, Michigan, under the leadership of Pastor Bobby Toler. At North Sharon Baptist Church, he preached in the local jail, was involved in the Bus Ministry and teaching a Young Adult Sunday School Class. In January of 2001, the Letson’s separated from the Air Force and moved back to Muskegon, where he became the full-time Youth Pastor. After a year and a half, Pastor Evans resigned, and the church called Pastor Letson to become their next Pastor. He served faithfully at Broadway Baptist Church in Muskegon, Michigan, for just shy of 14 1/2 years, before God called him to First Baptist Church of Brighton, Illinois, in May 2015. Pastor & Mrs Letson have been blessed with 2 children, and 7 grandchildren.

Our Assistant Pastor, Stephen Teaney, was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He grew up in nearby Marion, Iowa, where he and his family were member s of Grace Baptist Church under Pastor Cecil Ballard. At the age of four, Stephen trusted Christ as his personal Saviour. He attended Grace Baptist Academy from 1st grade until graduation in May of 2009. During this time, he actively served in many church ministries including nursing home, bus, soulwinning, choir and song leading. God called him to preach at Midwest Christian Boys Football Camp in August of 2006. In the fall of 2009, Stephen enrolled at Providence Baptist College in Elgin, Illinois. He graduated in 2014, having received a degree in Pastoral Studies. The best thing that came from his college experience was, of course, his wife Rose! Rose grew up in Ottumwa, Iowa, and faithfully served the Lord at Ottumwa Baptist Temple. She was saved at the age of six. They began their courtship in late spring of 2014, and were married on October 10th, 2015. Upon returning to Grace Baptist Church, the two of them did not waste time getting heavily involved. 

Stephen began working with the teenagers and regularly filling the pulpit, as well as the same ministries he had before he left. Rose was an important part of the music program, as she plays the piano beautifully. They served together at Grace Baptist Church for five years. During the summer of 2020, he received a call from Pastor Don Letson in regard to being the Assistant Pastor of First Baptist Church in Brighton, Illinois. On August 9th, 2020 he accepted the invitation, and moved his family on October 6th, 2020. God has blessed Stephen and Rose with three wonderful children.