Joshua is one of the founding pastors of Emmaus Church and serves as the Pastor of Teaching, Leadership, and Mission. He holds degrees from Southwest Baptist University (B.A.) and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.A.) He has been married to Tish since 2005 and they have two children. Joshua has previously served as Director of Church Planting at Midwestern Seminary, Lead pastor at Freshwater Church in Bolivar, MO, student pastor at several churches, and 2nd Vice President of the Missouri Baptist Convention. Joshua has spent extensive time as a missionary in West Africa.
Elders
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Pastor of Teaching, Liturgy, and Groups
Sam is the Pastor of Teaching and Liturgy at Emmaus Church. He holds an M.Div from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Systematic Theology. Sam has been married to Shannon for eight years and they have three sons - Jonah, Henry, and Lewis.
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Elder
Ronni is one of the founding pastors of Emmaus Church. He is the Pastor of Teaching and Equipping. He holds degrees from Southwest Baptist University (B.A. in Biblical Studies) and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.) He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Midwestern Seminary. He and his wife, Kristen, have been married for four years.
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ADAM SANDERS
Elder
A science teacher by vocation, Adam serves the people of Emmaus through pastoral care, teaching, counseling, and prayer. Adam has his M.Div from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Adam also trained for pastoral ministry in the Emmaus Pastoral Residency as part of our first class of residents. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have been at Emmaus since our first Sunday. Adam and Elizabeth have two beautiful children, Norah and Jude.
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Joseph Lanier
Elder
Joseph Lanier is a Ph.D. student at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is a graduate of the Emmaus Pastoral Residency. He and his wife, Kristen, have been members of Emmaus Church since 2016. Joseph is a community group leader, Residency Associate, and the creator of Feasting on the Word, a regular post on the Emmaus Blog.
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Matthew Barrett
Elder
Dr. Matthew Barrett is an Associate Professor of Christian Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is the Executive Editor of Credo Magazine. Matthew and his family have been members at Emmaus Church since 2018. Matthew serves as a community group host and an Emmaus Kids teacher. He is married to Elizabeth and they have 4 children. Matthew is also the author of numerous books.
