Ministry Leaders
Edward Blanchette, Jr.
Pastor
Welcome to our website. I hope that the resources on it will be a help and a blessing to you.
I grew up in Newport, RI and was privileged to be brought up in a Christian home going to a good Bible believing church that laid the groundwork for my life today. I came to know Christ as my personal Saviour at the age of 19 while attending Heartland Baptist Bible College in Oklahoma City, OK.
I have had the privilege of serving as pastor of Halstead Baptist Church since August of 2008. Our desire is through the faithful preaching and declaration of God's Word, to see individuals and families come to know Christ as their Saviour, see them baptized and actively growing in the Lord while serving Him faithfully through the local New Testament Church.
Matt and Angel Standifer
Youth Leaders
Thank you for visiting our webpage. My primary focus is our youth ministry. God has given me a burden to see every teenager commit themselves to Christ and then equip them to be Disciples of Christ through education and inspiration.
I was saved at the young age of 10 the first time I came to Halstead Baptist Church. I'm honored to have grown up in the youth ministry here and now I'm privileged to have been leading it since February of 2023. My wife Angel and I have been married since 2016 and have four beautiful daughters.
We are dedicated to serving Christ here at HBC and our prayer and hope would be that others would join us in a Christ honoring community of believers. If you are someone who is looking for a committed and edifying youth ministry for your teen then please visit us here at HBC. - Matt
I started coming to church here after I met my husband in high school and he brought me to the youth group. We both grew up here and got to grow our faith together here in this church. I got saved March 4th, 2012, not long after I started going to church here. God has blessed my husband and I with the opportunity now to lead the youth ministry here at Halstead Baptist Church. It's such an amazing opportunity to now get to help lead other teens to the Lord. - Angel
Tiara Shields
Adventures in Faith Leader
I am a wife, mom of three and currently work as a Realtor and Property Manager for a local real estate agency, The Real Estate Company. In my free time I enjoy traveling and spending time with family.
I am currently the teacher for the Sunday School Nursery and the Wednesday night kids' class, Adventures in Faith. I have been teaching and working in the nursery in church ministry since I was 12. Children have always been a passion of mine so being able to teach them the word of God is a great joy.
Daphne Bliss
Beginners Sunday School Teacher
God used my kids to bring me to church. When Pastor Chris was here, he came to ask about my boys being baptized and I decided I needed to find out what they were learning about. I wanted them to really understand what they were doing.
I wrestled with the Lord for a while and finally gave up and got saved on February 22, 2006. Currently, I get to teach four year olds through Kindergarten at our church as well as help out in Children's Church. I'm so glad I was able to help Mrs. Cherrie before I took over for her. She really helped me.
I want the kids to learn the lessons about God, creation, Adam, Joseph and the coat of many colors, anything that is in the Bible. I love doing the crafts and all the papers with the kids as well.
Michelle Blanchette
Middlers Sunday School Teacher/Nursery Coordinator
I met my husband at Bible College in 2001 and we were married in 2004. God led us here to Halstead in 2008 and I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the Lord with him here; I love our people. We have six daughters whom I have the privilege of homeschooling.
Currently, I get to teach the Primaries Sunday school class which is for kids grades 1-3 and I help with the nursery. My goal is to plant the seeds of the Bible and the love for His Word so that as the children grow, so will their desire to serve our great God after they are saved.
My biggest ministry is getting to support my favorite preacher - who is my husband and the pastor of this wonderful church. I am privileged to be able to do much behind the scenes work and I'm willing to do whatever needs done. Will you come and serve with us? We would love to meet you.
Kay Drake
ASL Interpreter
Hi! Welcome to Halstead Baptist Church (HBC). I am Kay Drake. I grew up in a hearing family. At 18, I understood there was nothing I could ever do to earn my way to heaven. Jesus did it all when He died on the cross to pay the penalty of my sin. I have been married to David for 30 years and we have three grown children and two grandsons.
I began learning ASL in January 1986. Over the years, the majority of my teachers have been Deaf, and it is from them I have learned their beautiful language, rich in culture and meaning. HBC offers ASL classes on Wednesday evenings that I am privileged to teach. Through classes and community events, students have the opportunity to learn ASL and communicate with the Deaf.
Whether you are Deaf or hearing, all are welcome at HBC. Services are interpreted. For those who prefer, FM devices are available as well.
Jared Krauss
Sound, Media and Livestream Ministry
My goal is to make the spoken word clearly heard with minimal to no interruptions or distractions; to serve God with my best through serving the church; to allow Him to impact and move through hearts of all who watch and listen to the choir, congregational singing, specials, instrumentals, promotional videos, baptisms, testimonies, and most importantly the preaching! I want God to be honored and glorified in the use of the technology, graphic designs, and sound amplification He has blessed us with! Only my best is acceptable service and that is my desire. I pray that my passion for sound and media will always glorify Him and allow others to have a clear line to God speaking!
Alyssa Krauss
Children's Church
I was saved at a young age right outside my home. While there were times I doubted if I was truly saved, the Lord always reminded me of the simple fact that “whosoever believeth in [me] should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Even though I was young that “whosoever” meant me too!
Not only has He saved me, but God has allowed me to teach the same Children’s Church program that I grew up in. I always loved this as a kid, and I am honored to teach other kids about the Bible.
We’ll learn about Bible stories, biblical principles, missionary stories, and have some fun along the way. If you have kids in K-6th grade, bring them to Children’s Church so they can grow spiritually as well.
Roger and Connie Ericksten
Men's and Women's Ministries
I was saved in 1998 at the men's fellowship meeting with Bro. Sam Davison preaching. My goal in ministry is to preach the word at the Diversicare Nursing Home in Sedgwick. I want to encourage believers there and at Halstead Baptist to faithfully serve the Lord in all the ways He directs with their whole heart. -Roger
I was saved when I was thirteen while attending summer camp in Topeka, KS. My goal for ladies ministry is to teach, in such a way, that the Word would be easy to apply to every day living. -Connie
Russell Krauss
Music Ministries/Couples Ministry
Faith Krauss
Music Ministries/Couples Ministry/Janitorial Staff
I was saved at a young age and was blessed to be raised in a Christian home where my parents served in full-time ministry. Because of their example, I learned how to serve in church and the importance of serving God with all your heart and ministering to others. My goal is to honor Jesus in whatever area He allows me to serve and to extend grace and help to others.
