Rev. Herbert Gilbert - Senior Pastor

Herbert Gilbert is a 1963 graduate of Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO. He and his wife Glenda have been married since 1956. They have three children Sherry, Deborah and Stephen. Sherry and Deborah are also graduates of BBC in Springfield. They have five grandchildren Jenna, David, Lisa, Luke and Riley; and one great-grandchild, Gabriel. Pastor Gilbert started a church in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1964. In 1966, He accepted a call to the Beacon Baptist Church. The church was running in the 80's for Sunday school and about $500.00 per week in offerings. The church was struggling to support one missionary family. The church has gone through four major building programs and purchased fourteen (14) additional acres of land. Currently, the church is running 850-950 in attendance and will give about $386,000.00 to missions this year. The church broke ground May 3, 1998 to build a new auditorium, office complex, and to convert the present auditorium into a Sunday School/Fellowship Hall facility.

The new expansion cost was over 6 million. In 2001, Baptist Bible College conferred on Pastor Gilbert an honorary doctor of divinity degree. Pastor Gilbert has served in many areas of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International. He was a state representative for six (6) years and a trustee for Baptist Bible College for nine (9) years. He served as chairman of the trustees at Baptist Bible College for two (2) years. He has also served on many committees of the fellowship

Rev. John Reilly - Co-Pastor

Pastor Reilly has served the Lord at Beacon since June 1981. He was raised in Warren, Michigan and was a member of the Ryan Road Baptist Church. He was saved on May 3, 1973 as a result of the bus ministry. After graduating from Fitzgerald High School in Warren, he attended and graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. It is from this school that he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology. While at college, John met and married his wife, Rhonda (Askren). God has blessed them with four children - Adam, Jordan, Jennie and Matthew. His areas of responsibilities are varied. He teaches the Lighthouse Class, he directs all the church music, and administrates the church's buildings and ministries. Pastor Reilly has also had the opportunity to be elected to the Taylor Board of Education where he currently serves as President.

Adam Reilly—Student Ministry Pastor

Adam recently graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri with a Bachelors of Science in Theology. He has been serving at Beacon since December of 2009. Beacon was Adam’s home church, where he was a part of the AWANA program, Youth Group, and other activities. He felt called to the ministry his senior year of high school. Upon graduation, Adam played football for one year at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. After his freshman year, Adam transferred to Baptist Bible College.

Gayle Brake—Financial Secretary

Gayle Brake has been a member of Beacon Baptist Church since 1985. She was hired as the Secretary/Receptionist in 1989. Mrs. Brake was promoted to the position of Financial Secretary in April of 2000. She is married to Jerry and has two children and three grandchildren

Yvonne Bryant—Secretary

Yvonne Bryant has been a member of Beacon Baptist Church since 1981. She became an employee of the church in 1999. She is married to Jeff and has two children. She received a business degree from Baptist Bible College in 1987.

Steve Miller—Maintenance