Forest Aalderink, Deacon of Audio and Media
I was born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida where my parents were actively involved in a gospel-centered local church. I rebelled from the church and the way I knew the Lord had called me to live for many years. At the age of 20 the Lord opened my eyes to the wretchedness of my sin and called me into a saving relationship with Him. Since then it has been my joy and privilege to strive toward growth in His grace and to walk in His truth. I have been blessed with a wonderful wife, Laura, and we have four children: Nathanael, Hannah, Talitha, and Josiah. It gives me great joy to serve the Church through the audio and media ministry at Clifton Baptist Church.
Joshua Abetti, Deacon of Community Service
Ironically, the Lord saved me while on a summer mission trip. During our team training I heard the gospel over and over and consequently trusted Christ at the age of 17. I have been married to my wife Jill for over 7 years. We have three daughters, Elizah, Hazel, and Cora, and a “surprise” due shortly. I presently work as a nurse at Baptist Hospital East. As the Deacon of Community Service I’m excited to work with members of Clifton to see how we can best serve the community of Louisville for the sake of the gospel.
Eric Bitner, Deacon of Finance
I was blessed to have been raised by believing parents and trusted Christ at an early age. My wife Loretta and I moved to Southern Indiana in 2006 and began attending Clifton. The Lord has used Clifton to continue to grow us in our understanding of the glory of God. We have been blessed with five children; Abigail, Elliana, Meseret, Asher and Benjamin, three through adoption. I currently work for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources as an entomologist. I am thankful to serve the body of Clifton as deacon of finance.
Nathan and Jancy Cecil, Deacons of Greeting
Jancy and I were both raised in Christian homes where the Bible was believed and taught. We both professed faith in Christ and were baptized at a young age. We met while serving as summer missionaries for the North American Mission Board in 2007 and were married in March of 2010. We are expecting our first child in February of 2012. I graduated from Southern Seminary in the Spring of 2011 and am taking part in the Clifton internship before pursuing full-time pastoral ministry. We absolutely love the body at Clifton and are excited about the opportunity we have to serve as the deacons of greeting.
Jessica Cooper, Deacon of Hospitality
As a child, I attended church regularly with my family, so I was regularly exposed to the gospel. At the age of nine, after hearing these truths for some time, I trusted in Christ and was baptized. My husband, Chris, and I moved to Louisville in 2006 and became members of Clifton. For the last couple of years, I have been serving in the hospitality ministry by organizing Wednesday night fellowship meals and various other hospitality related functions.
Jason Erb, Deacon of Security
I was raised in a home where my parents loved Christ and taught us to do the same. Largely due to their influence, I came to trust Christ at the age of seven or eight, and was baptized soon thereafter. I moved to Louisville in 2002 to attend seminary and joined Clifton the following year. My patient wife Andrea and I were married in 2006 and have two beautiful, energy-filled children, Aaron and Abigail. I currently am employed at GameStop as a Loss Prevention Manager, and it is my joy to serve the church body as the deacon of security.
Job & Emily Goshi, Deacons of New Visitors
Job was privileged to be raised in a godly home where his parents led him to Christ at an early age, and Emily was saved through gospel proclamation at a youth camp. After meeting in a class at Southern Seminary, the Goshis were married in June 2007 and are blessed with 2 daughters, Isabel and Chloe, and a third daughter who is expected shortly. While Emily is a stay-at-home mother, Job works as a Technology Business Consultant at Humana Inc. We are humbled at the opportunity to serve at Clifton Baptist Church as the deacons of new visitors.
Royce Hall, Deacon of Grounds
I grew up in a Christian home and went to church regularly, although it was not until my high school years that I accepted Christ as my savior. During those years God gave me a great desire to read his word and to teach it also. I came to Louisville after high school in the Fall of 2002 to pursue my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Southern Seminary. I first started attending Clifton in 2002, and eventually met and married my wonderful wife, Kasey, at Clifton. I am thankful to serve as the deacon of grounds for Clifton Baptist Church.
James White, Deacon of Building
I came to know the Lord quite a few years ago. I can’t choose the day that I felt that I was saved or belonged to the Lord until my pastor at our previous church suggested that I should go forward. We discussed it, and I prayed about it and knew that I had faith and trust in Jesus and should be baptized as a profession of that faith. This was several years before moving to Louisville. I now serve as deacon at Clifton, helping to care for our building.