Artwork side view.png

Church Leadership

Forest Park Baptist Church is led by Elders and Deacons.  The Elders give oversight to the church while the Deacons serve as chairpersons of the various committees.  The pastor is a full-time paid Elder.

As with any church, we have a few paid staff, but the real work is done by the many hands of some really wonderful volunteers and ministry leaders who freely use their gifts and talents and resources that God has blessed them with. That is what it means to be part of a church that is healthy, growing and always looking for new ways we can meet some of the needs in our community. There is always work to be done and people needed to help out. How has the Lord equipped you? What are some of the passions and talents that He has given you? Talk to the elders to figure out how your gifting can fit into the church body.

 

Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.”
— Matthew 9:37-38
timm-manju-hein-fpbc.jpg

Pastor Timothy Hein

Born into a Christian home in Southern California, Timothy received Christ as a child and essentially grew up a “church kid”. At a young age Timothy knew he was called to pastoral ministry and was repeatedly affirmed by church members and leaders. In obedience to that calling, Timothy attended Moody Bible Institute for undergraduate studies. There God blessed him with a wife Manju, a Malayalee missionary kid who grew up in Africa and shared similar ministry passions. After seminary they served on staff at a baptist church in Rockville, MD, heavily involved in both the church discipleship ministries and the church’s school administration. Three children later, they left for Scotland in 2016 for Timothy to pursue his PhD in Christian Origins at the University of Edinburgh, during which time they had their fourth child. As a family the Heins have had the privilege to actively serve local churches in Scotland, England, India, and South Africa, discipling and encouraging peoples of all ethnicities, social classes, and ages. Together Timothy & Manju aim to share the love of Christ, discipling all peoples via church, home, and school.

Elder Sean Blaylock

Sean has served as an elder for Forest Park Baptist Church since 2010. He also teaches an Adult Bible Study class and has been attending the church since 2002. His passion is to serve God and the church according to the template shown in 1 Timothy 3. Sean and Andrea have been married since 1994 and have four children, Brandon, Simone, Justin, and Troy.

Elder Leif Farne

Leif has attended Forest Park Baptist Church since2019 and became an Elder in 2022. Previously member of Moody Church for over 25 years. Leif’s wife went home to be with the Lord in 2007, and they had 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and since 10 great grandchildren, most of whom live in other parts of the country. Leif has traveled extensively, and was in Marketing in Medical Imaging. He has taught Bible classes, and continues to be a student of God’s Word, in addition to singing Christian hymns and songs.

Favorite things to do:

  • Read, study, and teach God’s Word

  • Sing Christian songs and lead hymns sings

  • Listen to classical vocal music

  • Spend time with great grandchildren

Akin Famoyegun.png

Deacon Akin Famoyegun

Akin has been the Deacon for Building and Grounds since 2011 and the Head of Ushers and Greeters since 2013. He’s been attending Forest Park Baptist Church since 1998. He has worked as a real estate broker since 2003. Prior to that, he earned a Ph.D degree (1985) in Public Administration from University of the Philippines, Manila, and served as director for Urban Policy Studies at the University of the City of Manila. His passion is to keep things running and give back to the church community. Akin and Susan have been married since 1983 and have two sons, Dele and Jide.

Favorite things to do:

  • Listen to all kinds of music

  • Read political books and keep up to date on politics

  • Spend time with his wife

Deacon Martin Venegas

Martin has attended Forest Park Baptist Church since 2011 and became a Deacon in 2022. Martin serves the church, along with his wife Christina, in various adult ministries and outreach programs. Martin's occupation by day has been construction laborer specializing in structural concrete repair. Martin is a devoted husband and a faithful student of God’s Word and is honored to take the lead in church outreach activities.

Church Staff


Secretary

Connie Leeper has worked part-time as the church secretary since September 2010, and she has attended Forest Park Baptist Church for over 30 years. She retired from the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago after 38 years of service, ending as the Administrative Assistant to the Provost. Her passion is to see the church grow and have a meaningful ministry in the community.

Favorite things to do:

  • Working outside, gardening, activities with the Berkeley Garden Club

  • Playing board games and doing puzzles with friends

  • Traveling (she has visited all 50 states and a large number of countries around the world)