About
OUR MISSION: Helping families find and follow Jesus
Meet Our Pastor, Ronnie Tabor
With a deep love for God’s Word and a passion for making disciples who make disciples, Pastor Ronnie brings fresh vision and faithful leadership to FBCM as we step into a new season of growth.
Ronnie and his wife are excited to serve the Mascoutah and Scott Air Force Base communities, creating a true “Home Away from Home” for military families and our Mascoutah neighbors.
His heart beats for equipping believers, reaching the lost, and leading our church family to love God, love others, and impact our world for Christ.Whether through preaching, ConneXion Groups, community outreach like the Oasis Meal, or simply a warm conversation over coffee, Pastor Ronnie is here to walk alongside you in faith.
We invite you to come meet Pastor Ronnie in person—join us any Sunday or reach out at fbcm@fbcmascoutah.org. We’re thankful God has brought him to FBCM, and we can’t wait to see all He will do through his ministry!
What We Believe
Our Foundation
At First Baptist Church Mascoutah (FBCM), our faith and practice are rooted firmly in Scripture. We affirm the Holy Bible as the inspired, infallible Word of God and the sole and final source of all that we believe.
We subscribe to the doctrinal statement of The Baptist Faith and Message 2000, as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention. This confession serves as a clear summary of our core biblical convictions, though it does not exhaust the extent of our faith—the Bible itself remains our ultimate authority.
Everything we believe, teach, and practice flows from the Bible alone. It is sufficient, authoritative, and trustworthy in all matters of faith and life.
Join us as we seek to know Christ and make Him known, living out these timeless truths together in Mascoutah, Scott Air Force Base, and the Metro East community.
Questions about what we believe? Reach out anytime at fbcm@fbcmascoutah.org or join us on Sunday—we’d love to talk with you!
Meet Our Team
Heidi Pierce - Preschool Director
Heidi has had the joy of leading Lighthouse Preschool at First Baptist Mascoutah for the past 13 years. What started as a God-given vision that “hit her like a brick wall” has grown into a thriving ministry where little ones hear about Jesus every single day.
Having moved here when she was just 2 years old, Heidi grew up in FBCM, came to faith as a young child, and was baptized here. Even when life took a few detours, God kept faithfully drawing her back and showing her His perfect plan, a truth she holds close in her life verse, Psalm 40:1-3.
Heidi and her husband, Chris, have been married 22 years and are the proud parents of Ella and Nate. When she’s not running the preschool, you’ll find her in the bleachers cheering louder than anyone for Nate, sipping plain coffee with milk, and sneaking microwave popcorn whenever possible.
Heidi says the very best part of serving at FBCM is the incredible church family that surrounds Lighthouse Preschool, people who are always ready to jump in and help, and the kids!
Lori Graf - Preschool Assistant
If you’ve ever dropped a child off at Lighthouse Preschool, chances are you’ve been greeted by the warm smile and open arms of Lori Graf, who has been loving on our little ones for the past thirteen years. Lori is “Mom” to seven grown children and “Gigi” to eight grandchildren who keep her heart full and her phone overflowing of pictures.
Lori and her husband Sam moved to Mascoutah in 1985. They found their church home at First Baptist in 1991 and never left. Sam moved on to Heaven in 2019, and Lori will tell you that the Lord carried her every step of the way—especially on the days she could only whisper, “I believe; help my unbelief.” Raised in West Frankfort, Lori first met Jesus at her mother’s bedside as a little girl. But for twenty-five years she wrestled with doubt. Finally, she rested in the finished work of Christ, forgave deep childhood wounds, and watched bitterness turn to joy. Despite trials and tribulations, the Good Shepherd came looking, restored her soul, and reminded her that His mercies are new every morning. Her life verse is Isaiah 26:3.
When she’s not soaking up hugs and hilarious preschool wisdom, Lori can be found gardening, writing down memories, reading a good book, or babysitting grandkids. What she loves most is loving on the Lighthouse kids, pointing them to Jesus, and reminding the rest of us that His grace is big enough for every doubt, every detour, and every new morning.
April Sturgill - Worship Director
April Sturgill was born and raised right in Mascoutah, she left for a few years after marrying her high-school sweetheart Rich, while they served with the Marine Corps in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. They returned home in 2004 and planted roots.
April gave her life to Christ and was baptized at age 12, with her faith growing deeper when she became a wife and mother. The losses of her father in 2016 and her mother in 2022 drew her even closer to Jesus and ignited a fresh passion to use her gifts fully for His kingdom. She has served as Worship Director at First Baptist Church Mascoutah since 2018.
One of April’s greatest joys in ministry is welcoming military families who are new to the area and worshiping alongside them each week. She loves introducing our church to Scripture-saturated songs—especially ones that are brand-new. Two passages she clings to are Psalm 121 and 1 Corinthians 10:31. Above everything else, April takes the privilege and responsibility of leading worship seriously. Whether the song is a 200-year-old hymn or was written last year, her heart is that every note and every moment would fix our eyes on Jesus and bring Him all the glory He deserves.
When she’s not at church, you’ll find April teaching middle-school special education, chorus, and drama, as well as cooking and baking for others. Her personal happy place is a fountain Cherry Coke with crushed ice and a side of parmesan cheese bites.
Bethany Smith - Administrative Assistant
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Rich Sturgill - Deacon
Rich Sturgill was also born and raised here in Mascoutah. He and his wife April have been happily married for 23 years and together raised three amazing sons: Andrew, Josh, and Noah.
Rich has been part of FBCM since 2010, and has faithfully served as a deacon, using his gifts to encourage others and point people to Jesus.
In 2012, while battling cancer and recovering from surgery, Rich surrendered his life fully to Christ. In the quiet of recovery, he felt an unmistakable call to draw near to God and walk in an intimate, daily relationship with Him. Since that turning point, Rich readily admits he’s stumbled plenty of times, but he’s quick to testify that God’s grace has never failed him and His love continues to lead the way.
One of Rich’s favorite passages is Romans 3:23–24, which reminds him that none of us are “better” than” anyone else, yet through Jesus we’ve all been offered the unearned, life-changing gift of grace.
What Rich loves most about serving at FBCM is getting to use the abilities God has given him to bless others, build up the body of Christ, and watch lives be transformed by the gospel. He says serving here isn’t just a duty; it’s one of the primary ways he grows closer to the Lord and to his church family.
When he’s not at church or work, you’ll probably find Rich hunting or fishing, tinkering with a new skill, or reading up on off-grid living and self-sustainability. Lately he’s even branching out into the world of specialty coffees and teas.
Kevin Hutchison - Deacon
Kevin and his wife Pam have been active members of FBCM since 1986. He was ordained as a Deacon in 1987 and currently serves as chairman of the Deacons, chair of the Personnel Committee, and small group leader.
In 2015, he retired from his position as Executive Director of the St. Clair County Health Department after a 40-year career in public health. He is deeply committed to promoting the spiritual and physical well-being of children and their families. “I am thankful for the opportunity to use my experience and gift of administration to serve the Lord and support the mission of FBCM.”
Pam currently serves as Assistant Treasurer, Ladies Night Out coordinator, and Choir Director. She retired in 2018 after concurrently working part-time as Office Manager at Mascoutah Township and Secretary at Moll Funeral Home for over 20 years. As a deacon’s wife, she ministers to women in the church and has a gift of encouragement and giving.
Originally from central Illinois, Kevin and Pam were high school sweethearts, having met in chorus. Both still enjoy music and singing and have been married for over 50 years.
Kevin and Pam reside in Mascoutah and have four children and 8 grandchildren.
