Pastoral Staff

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Pastoral Staff

Pastor Chris Nissley

Sr. Pastor

Pastor Chris Nissley grew up in Colorado Springs, CO, where he was able to enjoy the blessing of seeing his parents saved and then raised in a Christian home. After seeing the changed life in his father, at age seven, he came to an understanding of his sinful heart, and saw his need for a savior to take the just penalty for his sins: death! He repented of his sins and called on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a young man, Pastor Chris sensed God’s call on his life to become a preacher, and solidified this calling while attending the WILDS of the Rockies Christian Camp. He pursued God’s will in college by attending Bob Jones University, where he earned a degree in Pastoral Studies. Chris and his wife, Marie, were married in 2005 and followed the Lord’s leading in taking the pastorate of a small church in rural South Carolina for short time. In 2007, the Lord led the Nissleys to Wichita, KS, to work with the youth and music programs at Midland Baptist Church. For six years, he enjoyed ministering to young people and leading the choir and congregational worship. While in Kansas, God blessed with the addition of three children into their home; Timothy, Loraena, and Wendy. In the spring of 2013, the Lord again led the Nissleys to move, this time to accept the senior pastorate of Harmony Baptist Church in Galesburg, IL. Shortly after their move, God blessed them with a fourth child, Caleb and then in 2015 another son Joshua.

Pastor Chris takes the preaching of God’s Word very seriously and is excited to be able to share the deep things of God in a passionate yet practical manner. He has a great burden to see souls saved and the people of God growing in usefulness to Christ. The Nissleys are delighted to be in Galesburg and be a part of the great things God is doing here!

Pastor 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 21^st, 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!