TJ Mechling, Youth Pastor
Pastor TJ had the privilege of being adopted into a Christian home when he was a baby. He grew up in Plymouth, IN, going to church and attending a Christian school. His parents told him he said a prayer for salvation at the age of five, but even at a young age, he knew that he had never actually accepted Christ as his personal Savior.
It was not until he was seven years old that he asked God for forgiveness of his sins. Pastor TJ realized the penalty for his sins was death, and that he had not truly accepted Christ as his savior. He accepted Christ on the way to school in September of 2000.
When Pastor TJ was fifteen, he gave up his own will to the will of God at Indian Creek Baptist Camp, and the next year at the same camp, he surrendered to the calling of God on his life to preach the gospel. Pastor TJ followed the call of God and attended Ambassador Baptist College in Lattimore, NC.
While he was at school, he had to privilege to work alongside great pastors and youth pastors in 2 different local churches. He graduated in May 2016 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Youth Ministries and married his wife, Haley, on May 21st, 2016. Harmony Baptist Church is his first position on a pastoral staff, and he is excited to get to work with his passion, teenagers.
Pastor TJ has a heart for our youth. While a teenager himself, he felt the will of God for his future ministry to be with teens. He is passionate about preaching the Bible, seeing souls saved, and lives changed to further the kingdom of God.
Pastor TJ and Haley are thrilled to be able to serve in Galesburg, and see the great things God is going to do!