Rev. Dr. David Russell came to us as pastor in 1999 after previously serving as a pastor and campus minister in Illinois.  A native of Evansville, Indiana, he is a graduate of the University of Evansville and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and received his Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.  Dave has served in the denomination in various capacities including president of our region's Minister's Council and on the board of Mid-American Baptist Churches.  He currently serves on the boards of American Baptist Homes of the Midwest and the Center for Creative Justice, where he is currently treasurer.  A big sports fan (especially basketball!), he enjoys computers, church history, travel, and riding his bike.  He also enjoys singing in the FBC choir and playing alto sax in the Yuletide Orchestra.  Dave's wife Susan is also an American Baptist minister who has served on our staff.  Dave and Susan have an adult daughter and share their home with their cat Harry.

Mindy Phomvisay has served as our Director of Music since 1998.  A native of Alta, Iowa, Mindy is a graduate of Iowa State University.  She is an elementary music teacher and has served as a director with the Ames Childrens Choirs.  Mindy is a flute and piano teacher and has frequently been the featured soloist for the Ames Summer Bandshell Concerts.  As Music Director, Mindy directs the choir, accompanies worship services, leads our youth and children in music, and is co-director of our fabulous Music Camp.  She also serves as president-elect of the Fellowship of American Baptist Musicians.  Mindy and her husband Aiddy are parents of three children.

Our Staff

SInce March 2020, Emma Phomvisay has served as our Music Intern.  At Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Emma participated in various choirs as well as Honors Orchestra and theater productions, and was named to All-State Choir.   During our Zoom-only worship in 2020-21, Emma served as soloist each week and played violin, ukelele and guitar as well as managing in-meeting Zoom controls.  She continues to be our song leader and voice for those worshiping from home on Zoom as well as sharing her many musical gifts.  Emma is on teh staff at Camp Courageous, a camp for persons of all ages with disabilities. 

After several years as a choir member, Elizabeth Stegemoller joined our staff as our Choir Accompanist in the fall of 2021.  An Associate Professor of Kinesiology at Iowa State, Elizabeth is the only Music Therapist in the nation with a Ph.D. in Neuroscience.  She combines these passions as she leads a singing group, boxing group, and dancing group for persons with Parkinson's Disease as part of her research.  All of these groups meet at our church.  Elizabeth and her husband Aaron are proud parents of two daughters.

Kathryn Greiner began as our Custodian in July 2017.  The mother of five adult children, Kathy is also employed by the Ames School District as custodian at Northwoods Preschool Center.  We are grateful for her work to keep our building neat, clean and welcoming!