Rev. Jonah bissell, Co-Pastor
Pastor Jonah was born and raised in Rutland, Vermont where he met his now-wife Danielle. They both attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago where they completed degrees in Biblical Studies.
Jonah then went on to complete a Master of Theological Studies at Duke Divinity School in North Carolina, where his first child was born. Jonah and Danielle have since been blessed with boy-girl twins, and seek to forge connections between families (of all kinds) in midcoast Maine.
Jonah is also a Ph.D. student at Boston University where he studies early Christianity and its connection to local ecology in late antique Egypt. Because of this Jonah has shifted to part-time here at FBCF, focusing primarily on preaching and teaching.
Jonah is ordained in the American Baptist Churches U.S.A. and is passionate about critical thinking, relational connection, and the development of just and sustainable cultures. Among other things, Jonah loves reading, small-scale farming, skiing, and skateboarding, and would love to hear more about you and your story!
Dr. Aaron Werner, Co-Pastor
Pastor Aaron is a native of Maine, where he and his father worked as commercial lobstermen. His ancestors have lived in Maine since 1622.
After high school, Aaron attended the University of Maine and completed a BS in Biology from Liberty University in 1994. He went on to complete a Master of Divinity (2002) and a Ph.D. in Apologetics (2007) from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
Aaron has pastored churches in Florida, Kentucky, Arkansas, Indiana, and California. He also served as a church-planting missionary and lead pastor for Cross Church in Portland, Maine. Additionally, Aaron has served as Dean of the Chapel & Minister to the University at Shorter University. Academically, he was a professor of Religious Studies at Liberty University and at Westover Honors College at the University of Lynchburg.
Beyond this, Aaron has worked as a commercial lobsterman, a professional SCUBA Diver, an EMT, and an NCAA D1 Track & Field coach. Aaron and Kathy have been married since 1998, and they are blessed with four daughters born in 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2008.
Pastor Aaron’s mobile phone number is (207) 219-1369 and his personal website is aaronjwerner.com
Kathy Werner,
Administrative Assistant
Kathy earned a Master of Christian Education from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in December 2002. She also earned a BS in Education from Campbell University in 1996, where she played for their NCAA DI basketball team. After a career in ministry and education, Kathy homeschooled her four daughters. Today, Kathy enjoys long-distance running, backcountry skiing, and kayaking with her family.
Kathy’s mobile phone number is (207) 402-0506