Doug & Carolyn Schmidt – Executive Director
Doug and Carolyn have been happily married since 1974 and have three grown children and seven (near perfect) grandchildren. Doug holds BA, MBE, and EdD degrees. After serving as a seminary professor and Dean of Students for seven years, he pastored Ross Bible Church of Port Huron for five years before becoming the senior pastor of Woodside Bible Church in 1991.
Bob Bryant – Director of Operations
Bob and Rachel Bryant were married in 1999, and they have three daughters. Bob was trained as a lawyer and pastor. He has navigated a bi-vocational career with great delight in serving Jesus’ church and being a light in the marketplace. Bob holds bachelors degree, Juris Doctorate, Masters in Business Administration, Masters in Christian Education, Masters in Divinity and a doctorate in preaching. Bob pastored Stone Ridge Church of Romeo for eight years, acted as executive pastor at Woodside Bible Church for five years, pastored a church in Oregon for two years, acted as executive pastor of Triumph Church in Detroit for three years before joining Barnabas.
Dee Sochacki – Co-Founder and Intercessory Ministries
Working alongside her late husband, Dick Sochacki, pastor and former director of Barnabas Ministries, Dee has over 40 years of experience providing encouragement and strength to ministers through workshops, seminars, personal counseling and networking with other ministries. She has developed relationships with dozens of resources specific for churches and church leaders. Today, Dee leads a team of intercessors providing them valuable prayer support for pastors and churches in the Metro-Detroit area and beyond.
Sandi Manning – Director of Intercessory Team
Sandi was ‘called’ by God in 2017 and has since tried to live and love like Jesus because of all he has done for her and given her. God has provided Sandi with long-term happiness and deep-down joy and contentment. She puts God first in her life and has learned to pray continually—about everything. She has become a ‘prayer warrior’ and prays for and helps as many people as possible every day. She strives daily to be the ‘hands and feet’ of God.
Billy Creech – Director of US Pastoral Mentoring
For more than 25 years Billy has had the opportunity to serve the Lord with the call to know him and make him known. His seminary education took place at SWBTS in Ft. Worth, Texas. Billy has served as a church planter, missionary, campus pastor, and senior pastor. He and his wife, Ami, have two boys.
Eli Garza – Director of International Pastor Mentoring
Pastor Eli Garza, a Detroit native, became fully bilingual in English and Spanish through his summers in Monterrey, Mexico. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in 1979 and obtained his State of Michigan Registered Professional Engineer License in 1984. In 1999, he transitioned from engineering to ministry, joining First Spanish Baptist Church in Detroit, where he had been a member since 1969. He served as associate pastor until 2008 when he pursued a Master of Divinity degree from Moody Theological Seminary-Michigan, graduating in May 2010. Installed as senior pastor in April 2011, he led the church until October 2019. Currently, he mentors pastors globally through Barnabas Ministries of Michigan and advises on the Presidential Advisory Committee for Our Daily Bread Ministries. Alongside his wife Diane, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Bible/Christian Education and works as an LPN at Corewell Health Hospital-Dearborn, they have two children, Cristina and Daniel.
Dave Andersen – Pastoral Mentor
With over 60 years of experience as a senior pastor and as an executive director of a global missions organization, David has a heart to encourage and serve pastors. David led several churches in Michigan and in Ontario, Canada and his global ministry took him to over 60 countries where he trained and served local pastors. David served alongside his beloved wife Mary for 66 years before her passing in 2022. Together they had three children, six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Tim Helland – Ambassador of Encouragement
Pastor Timothy Helland married to Regina for 31 wonderful years. They have 2 Sons and 1 Daughter in Law, Leif and Juliana, and Andrew. He has served as associate pastor for 15 years before taking the Senior Pastor position at Creekside in 2014. Tim worked in the building trades for 20 years before and during the call into ministry. Tim has earned his BFin and MTh in Christian Apologetics. Tim and Regina love their community and enjoy ministering in the jails, senior living centers and homeless shelters.
Mark Pospisil – Director of Barnabas Podcast Ministry
Since his late teens, he has been driven by a passion to spread the message of Jesus Christ, emphasizing Christianity as a gift of grace rather than mere human effort. Alongside his commitment to evangelism, he is also zealous for the local church and seeing it built up and cared for with people being unleashed for God’s glory. Blessed with a loving wife, Kelsey, and four wonderful children, exceeding their initial family plans, he has pursued education, earning degrees from Moody Bible Institute and Bethel College, he is always learning and growing in the grace of God. With over 15 years of experience, he currently serves as the Lead Teaching Pastor and Elder at The Lakes Church in Waterford, MI.
Jonathan Blosser – Podcast Producer
Jonathan married his wife Courtney in 2013, and the Lord has blessed them with 4 incredible children. Jonathan graduated from Grace Christian University (previously known as Grace Bible College) with a BS in Worship Ministry. He is currently serving as the Director of Contemporary Worship and Technology at First Presbyterian Church of Trenton in Trenton Michigan. Jonathan is passionate about leading worship, writing and recording music and audio projects. He also loves hiking and exploring God’s amazing creation.
Drew & Teresa Steury – Treasurer & Project Manager
Drew and Teresa Steury have been happily married for 17 years and are proud parents of four kids, Anna, Wes, Lydia and Penny. Both Drew and Teresa are graduates of Cedarville University. The Steury family loves spending time together, often pursuing their favorite hobbies, including swimming, skiing, and golf.
Drew and Teresa actively serve at Barnabas Ministries. Drew holds the position of treasurer, while Teresa contributes her skills as a project manager. Their involvement with Barnabas Ministries is a reflection of their passion for encouraging pastors and churches.
Joelle Gresham – Director of Social Media/Marketing
Joelle is a devoted member of Woodside Bible Church in Romeo, where she serves on the Nursery Ministry Team, caring for young children. With a passion to utilize her creativity for God’s glory, she applies her graphic design and photography skills to various projects. A Liberty University alumna with a BS in Graphic Design/Communication, Joelle is also a martial arts enthusiast, actively working towards achieving a Black Belt. As President of Gresham’s Seasonal Services, she works alongside her family. She is humbled to be a part of Barnabas Ministries and to serve with others whose hearts are committed to spreading love, grace, and kindness in all aspects of life for Our Savior.