Leadership

Pastor Jonathon Enger

I was born in Madison, Wisconsin and was raised by Christian parents in Rochester, Minnesota. My family attended church faithfully and I was active in the youth group, but it was not until after my first year of college at Bethel University that I began a personal walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. I was baptized as a believer at age 19 at my home church in Rochester, Minnesota.

I met my wife at Bethel University, and we were married in 2007. I graduated from Bethel with a B.A. in History. From 2008-2009 my wife and I lived in Seoul, South Korea, where we taught English to Korean elementary students. While living in Seoul, we attended an English worship service at a Presbyterian church where I led a small group and got my first taste of preaching. After much prayer and encouragement from friends, it became clear that the Lord was calling me to a future in pastoral ministry.

I began my seminary studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in January 2010, and I completed my Master of Divinity degree in December 2012. After seminary, we continued to live in the Chicago suburbs and I worked as a barista while pursuing a ministry position. From 2014 to 2020 I served as the Associate Pastor for Education and Youth at First Baptist Church in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. I became the Pastor of East Balsam Baptist Church in August 2020.

My wife and I are blessed to be the parents of two wonderful boys and two adorable daughters. Aside from spending time with my family, I enjoy hunting, fishing, woodworking, gardening, and technology.

I am thrilled to be the pastor at EBBC. I love preaching the Word and I look forward to many years of serving the Lord together with the people of EBBC as we seek to ignite a passion for God and a love for people.

Roger Peterson

I was born and raised in a Christian home in Frederic, Wisconsin. My father was a wonderful, kind Christian man. My father led me to the Lord at the age of 5. I was baptized at the age of 12. I am one of six children.

In 1972, I married my childhood sweetheart and the love of my life. We have 2 sons, 4 grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren and 5 great granddaughters.

I had the privilege of being employed at the University of Northwestern St. Paul for 30 years, from which I retired in December 2017.

I enjoy going to car shows and dirt car races. I also enjoy camping, fishing and hunting with friends and family.

We have been blessed to be a part of EBBC since 1990. God has blessed us with a wonderful church family and a great place to worship and serve him. I am looking forward to what God has in store for the future of EBBC.

Most impactful Bible verse: John 11:35 – “Jesus wept”

Larry Michaelson

I grew up attending East Balsam Baptist Church, starting even before I was born. I had the privilege of attending here with my parents and grandparents. Having accepted Christ as my Savior at a young age, I am thankful for His keeping me close to Him for my whole life. I am grateful for the Bible training that I received at EBBC.

After graduating from high school, I attended St Paul Bible College for a couple of years before starting to farm in this area. In 1992 I was blessed to marry my wife, Barb. We have a son, Dale, and a daughter, Dawn, who are both involved at East Balsam. We currently live just a quarter of a mile north of the church, living in the house where I grew up.

When I was originally asked to be a deacon here, my first response was no, I don’t have the right personality for it. After having served as a deacon for several years, I look at each of the deacons and it is great to see how God uses the different personalities and gifts to serve together. It is truly a privilege to serve each of the people that attend here.

John Larson

I am blessed to be married to my beautiful wife, Jackie, and we are the proud parents of four children: Cody, Josh, Jessica and Ty.

My journey of faith began in a Baptist Church in Stanchfield, MN, but at 15, I chose to walk away and focus on my own ambitions on the farm and life. It took years of trying to do things my way- and many failures along the way- to realize I couldn’t do it on my own. In 2014, the Lord got ahold of my heart and began a true conversion in me.

In January 2016, He lead our family to East Balsam Baptist, where Jackie and I were baptized and became members. Since then, God has opened doors for us to serve in leadership and on short-term missions. My daily goal is simply to stay focused on His leading, trusting that the life I live is truly His and not my own.

Andy Zylstra

I have been a member of EBBC since 2022. I was raised in a Christian home with my dad and brother both ministers of Christian churches. I was baptized when I was 12 years old. In 1985 I graduated from Nekoosa High School and then attempted Bible College in Rochester, MN but decided not to continue after my second year. I accepted the fact that I wasn’t “college material” and entered the blue collar working world. I mainly had a lot of hands on work. I’ve always been a believer in God, even though I drifted away for a while. I knew God loved me and He never drifted away from me. I am married to a awesome Christian woman and everyday I get closer to God. One of my passions is fishing, but my real passion is to serve our Lord and Savior. I feel privileged to be a leader of our church.