Dr. Juston Gates has been married to his wife Amanda for 25 years. They are the proud parents of three children: Elizabeth, Caleb, and Leah Madelyn. Juston has been a pastor of churches in Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, and now Missouri since May of 2000. Prior to entering vocational ministry, Juston was employed in the realm of law enforcement with police departments in Memphis, TN, Tupelo, MS, and Allen, TX, while also serving as a Federal Agent with the United States Border Patrol.
Juston earned his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky and his Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) from Luther Rice Seminary in Georgia. He is an adjunct online instructor for Itawamba Community College, as a part of the Philosophy and Religion Department, while also serving as an adjunct instructor for College of Ozarks as part of the Criminal Justice program.

Jay Todd has been married to Christina since 2002, and they have three children: Maisy, Lily, and Isaac. He currently serves as Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at the College of the Ozarks, where he has taught since 2011. He earned his Master of Divinity (2006) and Doctor of Philosophy (2010) from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, and he is the author of Sinai and the Saints: Reading the Old Covenant Laws for the New Covenant Community 2017).

Jeff has been married to his wife, Megan since May of 2010. They have 2 daughter Jackie (2012) & Ellie (2014). Jeff grew up in Crestview, FL & attended the University of West Florida earning a B.A.. During college Jeff felt a call to the ministry as a Student Minister. Jeff earned his Master of Arts in Family Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Jeff served as the Associate Pastor of Family Ministries at First Baptist Kershaw, South Carolina from 2011 to 2017. Jeff has been serving First Baptist Forsyth since 2017.

Steve has been happily married to Debbie since 1981 and has a daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. Steve has degree in Biology, specializing in wildlife conservation and management. He spent 30 years with the Missouri Department of Conservation. He was a supply pulpit preacher for many years filling pulpits in central and northeast Missouri. Steve answered the call to be a pastor in 2007 and joined our staff in 2020 as Associate Pastor of Senior Adults and Pastoral Care.  He also oversees the First Impressions Ministry.

Megan serves as the Children's Director and serves on the Reflections Women’s Ministry team as staff liaison. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Counseling from Boyce College.  Megan has been serving with her husband, Jeff, in ministry for the past ten years. She is passionate about helping families flourish, and is excited to work with the rest of the FBC Forsyth staff to glorify Christ by strengthening His Church.

Kendra has been married to her husband Hayden since June of 2020. Kendra was raised in Forsyth MO and grew up attending FBC Forsyth. She received her Bachelor of Science in Applied Ministry and Religion: Christian Counseling from Liberty University. She is excited to join the FBC staff and serve the families of the church.

Shad has been on staff since 2017 & the Worship Leader since 2018. Shad also works at Sight & Sound Theaters in Branson. Shad is married to Me’lissa & they have a daughter, Rynn, & a son, Reid.

Richard has been on staff at First Baptist since 2019 as the leader of the Traditional Worship Service. Richard also works as a teacher at School of the Ozarks. He is married to Janice, they have four children, Jackson, Annabeth, Ashleigh, & Kevin.

Martha has served at FBC Forsyth since April 2008 and as Financial Secretary since 2013. She & husband Chris have been married since 2002 and have two children. Martha received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from College of the Ozarks & is currently pursuing a Masters Degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Fun fact: Martha and Chris were the first couple married in our current church building.

Renea has been married to Randy for 28 years. They have two daughters, Randa & Shelby. They moved to Missouri in 2016. Shortly after moving to the area they started attending First Baptist. Renea began working at First Baptist as Church Custodian in July 2018. In January of 2024, she began work as the Administrative Assistant.

Justin has grown up at FBC Forsyth and serves in numerous ways at the Church, including in the Student Ministry. Justin has been on staff at FBC since 2022.