MBU Ministry Team Bios
Name: Matt Anthony
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Church: Manchester Baptist Church
Major: Religion (Biblical Studies)
Year in School: Sophomore
Matt Anthony returns to Missouri Baptist this year as a sophomore who is excited and ready to get this new ministry up and running. Matt believes that anyone and everyone should hear the gospel, so he has made it a goal to do anything he can to make that happen. He wishes to allow God to use him as a tool and hopes to see the ministry plant seeds and spark interest in all ages.
Matt says that God led him to this group because he has a heart for ministry. He describes himself as being somewhat musically talented, and one that holds very tightly to the Truth that has been made known. Passion is the biggest asset Matthew brings to the group.
Motivation for Matt comes from the passage in 1 John 3:16 which states, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” Also, his favorite song is by Chris Tomlin – “Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone”.
Favorites:
Color: Metallic Orange
Class: Greek
Restaurant: Wendy’s
Destination: Anywhere north where he could see the Northern Lights just once
Name: Nathan Gruen
Hometown: Greenfield, IL
Church: Faith Bible Church and Manchester Baptist Church
Major: Worship Arts and Technical Communications
Year in School: Junior
“Brining glory to God!” is his passion, Nathan says. In addition to that, his wife, music, friends, studying the Bible, and growing and discipling other Christians make the list. Nathan feels like many times when groups go to lead worship at a church they don’t accomplish as much as they should. This group plans to be more intimate and relationship oriented.
Because they are incredible men of God and have left a great example for him, Nathan credits his father and grandfathers as having the biggest influence on his life.
A few years down the road Nathan can see himself raising a couple kids, leading worship on weekends, and working for his dad during the week. No matter what, he will worship God in every area of his life and be a good steward of the gifts God has given him.
Sanctus Real and Charlie Hall are a couple of Nathan’s favorite artists. He also enjoys watching Seinfeld and The Office on TV, and savoring a bowl of cookie dough ice cream.
Favorites:
Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11
Vacation Destination: Georgia to see his family
Class: Old and New Testament
Number of States I’ve Visited: 30
Name: John Barnes
Hometown: De Soto, MO
Church: FBC of De Soto
Major: Worship Arts
Year in School: Junior
As a junior at Missouri Baptist John has been awarded the Presidents Citation and made Honor Roll three times. In addition to the MBU Ministry Team he also sings in Chamber Singers and Chorale. John desires to use his musical abilities to display God’s everlasting love, grace, and holiness.
John looks to Peter from the Bible to find encouragement. “He (Peter) put his foot in his mouth so many times, yet God used him greatly in the beginnings of the church,” he says, “My passion is to express Jesus Christ through every action of my life and let my “light” shine before men so they might praise my Father in heaven.” John hopes to see God use this group to magnify who God truly is by being illuminated by the Holy Spirit.
Some of John’s favorites include Domino’s pizza, the book “Don’t Waste Your Life”, and the groups Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, and Rush of Fools.
Favorites:
Ice Cream Flavor: Cake Batter
Color: Dark Blue
Place to Someday Visit: Japan
TV Shows: Sports Center, CSI, The Unit
Name: Jonathon Aubuchon
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Church: Passage Community Church
Major: Worship Arts
Year in School: Sophomore
Jonathan comes to this ministry simply to use the gifts and talents that God has given him to glorify God in any way possible. “My passion is music. I feel so blessed that God has given me the opportunity to use my passion for Him and my passion for music to glorify Him and worship His name,” he explains.
One of the things that attracted Jonathan to the group was its acoustic setting and the worship music, through which he hopes the group can impact people in a powerful way. Jonathan believes that he adds strength to the group due to his experience in leading worship weekly and his ability to play the djembe, guitar, piano, and sing.
The story of David is Jonathan’s favorite because although David made some stupid mistakes, God still used him in a powerful way. Jonathan feels that he can relate. He also acknowledges Mark Cote, his former youth minister, as having the greatest influence on his life because Mark encouraged him to be more outgoing and more of a leader.
Favorites:
Restaurant: Rookies
TV Show: Baseball Tonight
Book: The Heart of the Artist
Vacation: Florida with the Baseball team
Name: Mandi Lee
Hometown: Bell City, MO
Church: The Journey
Major: Worship Arts
Year in School: Freshman
Beginning her first year at Missouri Baptist, Mandi brings some honorable achievements with her. She was the Salutatorian of her high school class, was a member of Who’s Who Among American High School Students, the United States Achievement Academy, and All-State Academic Volleyball.
Even with her many accomplishments, Mandi’s goal is to show and minister to people about worship as life. She wants to communicate that from the moment you wake up till the time you fall asleep; Jesus should be on your mind. “To be in constant awe of the Lord, that is worship, and I want people to feel Jesus,” she proclaims. Mandi believes that God led her to the group because of His plan to use her to reach people and touch their lives- what she has always wanted to do.
Mandi’s favorite Bible verse is Philippians 3:7-11 which communicates Christ’s love for us and how we should live our lives for Him. She also likes the song “My Savior My God” by Aaron Shust.
Favorites:
Food: Italian
Favorite Movies: Braveheart, Tommy Boy, and many, many others!
Ice Cream: Reese’s PB and Chocolate Swirl
Vacation: Germany
Name: Bailee Rankin
Hometown: Fenton, MO
Church: Fenton Crossing Bible Chapel
Major: Plans to pursue a major in Environmental Engineering
Year in School: Senior in High School/Dual-Enrollment Student
Bailee is a home-schooled senior in high school, but attends MoBap in her second year of dual-enrollment. Although she is currently not seeking a specified degree, she plans to pursue an Environmental Engineering major and a Worship Arts minor. Down the road in life she could see herself working in the Appalachian Mountains or overseas as an environmental engineer, designing water systems for rural and impoverished communities. She also hopes to become a missionary, be deeply involved in the local church, and perhaps be involved in church planting.
Within the ministry group Bailee hopes to see God use the team to, first, draw each member closer to Himself, then use the team to share with others how God has changed their lives. She also wants to tell others how completely awesome her God is, then help them worship Him through music.
Nehemiah is Bailee’s favorite Bible character because she admires his leadership skills and his total dependence on God. She also says that while Palisade is not one of her favorite groups overall, she loves their song “The Closer I get to the Cross” because it describes her spiritual growth this past year- the more amazed she is by grace.
Favorites:
Food: Black Beans and Rice
Restaurant: The Boathouse at Forest Park
Vacation: Two week vacation in a 30 ft. RV with her family
Place She Hopes to Someday Visit: Nepal
