Meet the Ministry Team

Abe Braun, Pastor

Pastor Abe was privileged to grow up in a Christian home. He went to Sunday school, sang the hymns, and learned Bible stories from a very young age, but it wasn’t until he was 11 years old that he realized his need for salvation. It was during a spring revival at Aultman Baptist Church in Aultman, Pennsylvania that Evangelist Rick Rose preached on Hell, and Abe realized that if he died that’s where he would go.

Abe did not get saved at church that night, but he remembers the Holy Spirit convicting him. On the ride home from church, he remembers his dad making remarks about the message that continued to scare him about Hell. That night when Abe got home he went to bed, and his dad was at the table doing some work. Abe came out several times to ask questions about salvation. It was late that night while lying in his bed that he asked Jesus to come into his heart and save him. He remembers that at that moment the fear was gone; the burdens of his sin were lifted and the joy of Christ filled him.

Sadly, spiritual growth did not start for Abe until he was 15 years old. At the time his family began attending Slippery Rock Baptist Church in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. Through the preaching, fellowship, bible camps, and much time invested into him by the Youth Pastor there, God started to break his heart. Abe began to see the need for souls saved and the responsibility that he had to share with others the love of Christ. He began helping in the bus routes, Children’s Church ministry, Vacation Bible School, and missions.

God grew that burden until Abe accepted God’s calling for his life to be in full-time ministry. He continued to serve at his church, and after graduating from high school he attended Massillon Baptist College in Ohio to train and receive his degree in Pastoral Studies. After graduation, Abe spent three months in Honduras working at an orphanage as a Missions opportunity.

After returning home, God opened the door for Abe to move to Michigan and accept a position as an assistant to the Pastor at Sparlingville Baptist Church.

After serving as a Pastoral Assistant, Youth Pastor, and Associate Pastor, Abe was called to become the Senior Pastor of Sparlingville Baptist Church on September 20, 2020 following the resignation of Pastor Milton.

Kelsey Braun, Secretary

Kelsey serves as the Secretary. She is the wife of our pastor.

“I grew up in a loving Christian home where my parents were highly involved in the church. My dad was the youth pastor for many years before becoming an Associate Pastor in my later teens. I made a profession of faith when I was very young, but later on in life had many doubts and couldn’t remember exactly what happened. My salvation was nailed down in June of 2011 when I graduated high school.

“Through most of my teen years, I went on many missions trips – including to Honduras and Africa – and the Lord put a burden in my heart for missions. After graduating high school, I attended West Coast Baptist College in southern California to receive my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.