LEADERSHIP TEAM

DAVE BENDER

Counseling and Family Ministries Pastor

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AARON LICHTENWALNER

Youth and Assistant Pastor

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PATRICK HENNESSY

Deaf Church Pastor

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MIKE PHILLIPS

Bay City Christian School Administrator

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MORRIS BENDER

Pastor Emeritus

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Dave graduated from Maranatha Baptist University in 1983, and then completed a masters degree at Northland International University in 1996. He has two certificates in counseling from CCEF, and completed a masters degree in counseling in 2017. He is certified by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). He has served at Faith Baptist Church of Canoga Park, CA (1984-1990), and here at Bay City since 1990. He oversees family ministries, the counseling center, and teaches senior high Bible in the school. Dave and Julie have three children who are all in their 20s. Click for more info about Dave at our counseling center website. Click for messages.

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Pastor Aaron received his Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Bachelors in Biblical and Theological Studies from Boyce College. Previous to Bay City, he served at The Wilds of New England as a lead counselor and traveling speaker. Pastor Aaron also served at Bay City’s church plant while attending college. Pastor Aaron’s responsibilities include the youth ministry, leading worship, children’s, and outreach ministries. Pastor Aaron is married to Meagan and they have one son, Asa.

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Patrick Hennessy graduated from Milwaukee Area Technical college with a degree in Sign Language Interpreting and is a nationally certified ASL interpreter. Patrick received his BA and Master’s degree in Pastoral Studies from Bob Jones University. Patrick previously served as a leader of a Deaf ministry outside of Spartanburg, SC and assistant pastor roles for Deaf ministries in both Atlanta, GA and Delavan, WI. Patrick is married to Maria and has three children, Brenna, Mia and Cruz Alexander. Besides using ASL, his family also communicates in Spanish and English. They enjoy playing at parks, going out for ice cream and having people over to their home. To learn about our deaf church, click here.

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Dr. Phillips is the administrator for Bay City Christian School. He graduated from Bob Jones University in 1986 with a degree in Bible and mathematics education. He has served for 28 years in Christian schools in Virginia and North Carolina as teacher, coach, athletic director, and administrator. In 1996 he earned a master’s degree from Old Dominion University and then completed a specialist’s degree in educational leadership in 2006. Mike earned a doctorate in education in educational administration in 2015. Dr. Phillips and his wife Shellee have four children.

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Pastor Bender retired as Senior Pastor of Bay City Baptist in July of 2007. He served as a pastor for 48 years at two churches in Minnesota, and then at Bay City beginning in 1985. He is a graduate of Northwestern College and Central Baptist Seminary. Maranatha Baptist University awarded him a Doctor of Divinity degree in 1999. Pastor and Mrs. Bender have three children and eight grandchildren. Pastor Bender leads the Young At Heart activities and participates in many other church ministries.