Our Staff

Our Pastor

John and Mythyl Todor 

Pastor John was born and raised in a Christian home in Romania, Eastern Europe, while Romania was still under the communist regime. At the age of 15 the Lord allowed his family to move to the States. He trusted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior in Chicago, Illinois when he was 17 years old. At the age of 23, while living in Phoenix, AZ the Lord called him in the ministry. He left everything behind and answered God’s call. He received his seminary training at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Bucharest, Romania and his Master of Divinity degree from Central Baptist Seminary (their extension campus in Arad, Romania). He loves and takes great delight in preaching God’s Word and shepherding God’s church. Prior to coming to Kasson, John pastored for seven years a church in the desert of Arizona and before that, a couple of churches in Romania.

He is happily married to Mythyl Grace Todor who also loves serving Christ and His people with her gifts and talents and she is a great help and support to pastor  in the ministry. Mythyl was born and raised in a Christian home in the Philippines. She trusted Jesus as her personal Savior when she was 12 years old at a Christian camp. Back home in the Philippines she was part of the Afterglow Singers, a Christian singing group who loves ministering to people in both urban and rural areas.

The Todors have been blessed by the Lord with three children: Elshana ,  John Jr. (JJ)  and Joshua. They love living in the Kasson-Mantorville community, meeting new folks and constantly making friends. Their passion in life is to live for Christ and to make HIM known to others. 

His  favorite verse is 2Cortinthians 2:14

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere.

 

Our Treasurer & SECRETARY

 Larry and Marsha Aarsvold         

Larry grew up on a farm in rural Kasson, MN. He was blessed to have a Christian heritage on both his mom’s and dad’s side. Larry accepted Christ as his personal Savior when he was about 10 yrs. old. Marsha grew up on a farm in a small community 80 miles east of Des Moines, IA, where she was blessed to have Christian parents that loved the Lord and took her and her siblings to church each Sunday. Marsha came to know Christ as her Savior when she was about 8 years old. Larry and Marsha met at Northwestern College (now known as The University of Northwestern) in St. Paul, MN. They were married right out of college and lived in the Twin Cities for several years before moving to Larry’s hometown area of Kasson-Mantorville in 1995. The Aarsvolds have 2 grown children, Tyler and Ryan, and enjoy serving with them at First Baptist Kasson.

Larry is Director of Finance at Taylor Print Impressions in Byron, MN. He also hired his wife, Marsha, to be a part of the team at Taylor! She is a Strategic Project Manager and is also a Mary Kay Cosmetics consultant. 

Larry and Marsha enthusiastically serve in several areas at First Baptist. Larry has served as treasurer at First Baptist for numerous years, Sunday School teacher and in various other capacities as needed. Marsha has served in the office administration area, pianist and a variety of other teaching and leadership capacities over the last 25 years. Marsha’s mom and dad moved to Kasson, MN, several years ago and she is privileged to serve with her mom and dad at First Baptist!

Larry’s favorite life verses are Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Marsha’s favorite life verses are Jeremiah 29:11-13For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

They count it a privilege and joy to KNOW Christ, share His LOVE and serve HIM as Lord and Savior!

Our Deacons

Parry Telander

Parry first came to First Baptist in October of 2016 and later became a member in May 2017. He serves the Lord as the Youth Sunday School Teacher and ARK Small Group Leader. He grew up in a small church and enjoys being involved in church in many different capacities. Parry is the husband of Karen and father of four children: Josiah, Jonah, Jeremiah, and Lydia. 

Parry works at the University of Minnesota Rochester as the Director of Advising Services. He is an avid runner and enjoys gardening, working outdoors, and watching his kids play sports. 
 
His favorite verse:
Job 23:10
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” 
David Fessenden

I was born in AZ but grew up in WI. I had the opportunity to study theology for a few years in TX before moving to Mexico to help in a children’s home for a couple of years. While in Mexico, I met my wife Sara and now we have two boys. In 2015 we moved to Kasson. 

We started coming to First Baptist because we were looking for a local church where we could get to know other believers that lived close to us and one that focused on Bible teaching. I thank God for his grace and pray that personally, I can share with others the good news of Jesus and that as a church we can be a place where believers can grow together in the Word and encourage each other to follow Jesus.  

My favorite verse:
Ephesians 5:2 
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.

 

Gary Terrill

We visited First Baptist, Kasson in October of 2019. We had left our former church in Owatonna because of a doctrinal change that was not in accordance with the Bible. We desired a church that had a biblical doctrine and a place to worship. We attended for several Sundays and observed excellent Bible preaching along with a sweet fellowship among the people. We also had a desire to serve. We joined the church in February of 2020. This is now our church family. We see great potential for growth. We have a wonderful pastor. Phyllis is now a deaconess, and I am one of the deacons. It is a joy to be part of this church family.

Gary and Phyllis Terrill

My favorite verse is:

(Psalm 16:11)

Matt Morris
 

My name is Matt Morris.  Although I have spent most of my life in the Midwest, I am originally from Virginia Beach, VA. As a teenager, I trusted in Jesus as my Savior. Following God’s leading, I moved to Wisconsin to attend Northland Baptist Bible College. My first summer in Wisconsin, I decided to work at Camp Chetek where I met my beautiful wife, Jami.  During the 23 years in Wisconsin, our family grew to include 3 children: Josiah, Matti, and Japheth.  In 2017, we moved to Hayfield, MN.  The biggest concern from Wisconsin friends and family over moving to MN was whether I would become a Vikings fan –nope, not happening!  I currently work in assembly at Daikin in Owatonna.  Outside of work, I enjoy reading, computers, gaming and such, and anything aviation; especially WWII planes.

 My favorite verse is:

Isaiah 6:8Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” and I said, “Here am I! Send me.

Josiah Morris
 

My name is Josiah Morris. I was born and raised in Wisconsin, until a little more than three years ago when I moved with my parents to Hayfield, MN. I enjoy hanging out with friends and family, playing video games, reading books, listening to music, working out and much more. I currently work at one of the Kwik Trips in Rochester as the Assistant Food Service Leader. I also just graduated from Rochester Community and Technical College during the fall semester of 2019 with an associate degree in Business Administration. I was saved at a young age of six or seven. God has been a big part of my life, especially over the past several years. I am blessed to be able to be on the deacon’s board and look forward to serving for and alongside you.

  Our Youth Leaders

Brian and Shelbey Lentz
Brian and Shelbey Lentz
 

Brian and Shelbey began attending First Baptist Church of Kasson in March of 2016. They were led by God to become members shortly after. Fall 2016 they began serving in the Youth Ministry and haven’t looked back! They are
extremely passionate about the Youth and love ministering to them and teaching them God’s Word!

Brian and Shelbey got married June 8, 2013 and live in Kasson with their 4 wonderful children Nevaeha, JoyHannah, Isaac and Isaiah. They love being together as a family and are grateful for where God has them. 

Their favorite verse is Romans 8:31-32, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

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