Stephen Wisthoff - Senior Pastor

Pastor Stephen Wisthoff accepted the call to become Senior Pastor of Second Baptist Church on July 22, 2009; his first Sunday with us will be August 30th. Prior to accepting the call to SBC, Pastor Wisthoff has served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Bismarck, ND for twelve years. Prior to Bismarck, he served in Lisbon, ND for eight years and Detroit, MI as a youth pastor for two years.

Steve’s father was an American Baptist pastor. He spent his teenage years in Stanley, ND, then attended Bryan College in Dayton, TN where he met his wife Grace. Steve and Grace graduated from Minot State University; he then earned a M.Div. degree with focus in Christian Education from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. In 2005, Steve earned the degree of D.Min from North American Baptist Seminary, now Sioux Falls Seminary. The focus for his dissertation was bringing prayer to the local church and allowing God to transform the congregation through the formation of prayer groups.

Regionally and nationally, he served several years as the chair of the Dept of Ministry and Evangelism in the Dakotas and the Minister’s Council. He also functioned as the secretary on the Midwest Ministerial Leadership Commission. He and Grace have been active in leading Jr. Camp for 15 yrs and also working with Tipi Wakan Ministry on the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. Steve has been active in Kiwanis for 20 yrs, and served 5 years as chaplain at the North Dakota Veterans Home and at Heartview Foundation Treatment Center.

Steve and Grace have three daughters. Katie (Crofutt) and her husband Brendan live in Flasher, ND where Katie will be teaching High School English. Victoria is a Junior at Bryan College in Dayton, TN, majoring in Music Ministry. Stephanie is 12 and will be in the 7th grade. Steve enjoys sports, outdoors, and travel; his hobbies include riding his motorcycle, canoeing, guitar, and scrap booking. Grace’s passion is writing and she enjoys reading, gardening and riding her motorcycle. She has served as Area Minister of the ABC of the Dakotas for the past ten years while also substitute teaching and raising their three daughters.

Michael Kitt - Director of Music

Michael Kitt was born in Wauneta, Nebraska as the youngest of five boys. He graduated from Kearney State College with a degree in Vocal and Instrumental Music Education. He came to Lincoln in 1995 and became the Music Director at Second Baptist Church the following year. He has several nieces and nephews and enjoys gardening and crafts in his spare time. Michael also directs a choir at Eastmont Towers Independent Living Center, where he helps the elderly residents continue to experience a love of music.

Karen Widdowson - Secretary

More info coming soon!

Anita Ahrens - Child Care Worker

Anita Ahrens took over as our Child Care Worker in March of 2007. She is a graduate of Union College, earning her degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Development in 1997. Anita also works as a substitute teacher for Lincoln Public Schools, where she is hoping to obtain a permanent position. In her spare time, Anita enjoys crocheting, and has turned that hobby into a business - where her current most popular selling item is teddy bears. Anita has lived in Lincon for 15 years, and has been married to husband Bob for 11 years. They share 2 elementary school age sons, and attend College View Seventh Day Adventist Church on Saturdays, leaving her free to serve our church on Sunday mornings.

Dr. Kay Byers - Accompanist

Meet Kay Byers, our accompanist. She received her first piano lesson from her mother at the age of 5. Her lessons were daily until she left for college to study music. Completing a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in piano performance provided the education that afforded many job opportunities in both schools and churches. She directed the music program at Capitol City Christian Church and conducted the Living Christmas Tree program for 10 years. At the First Presbyterian Church, she served as their interim music director. After completing her doctoral degree she accepted a position in Human Resources administration in the Lincoln Public Schools District Offices. Her love is church music. Kay started her work here at Second Baptist on September 3rd, 2008.