Meet Our Pastors

Pastor Brenden Williams

After attending the church for about 10 years and serving in many ways, including Co-leading the children's program, he happily embraced his new role that God had given to him to fulfill. Pastor Brenden is dedicated to our church and excited to see how God will lead us into the future.

Brenden currently holds an associate’s degree with a criminal justice background and is currently attending part-time classes at Lincoln Christian University. He has been able to learn more in depth about Christianity and the Bible during his time there, and then sharing it with our church. He graduated from Pekin Community high school with his high school sweetheart, Leah Williams, in 2010. They wed in 2015 and now have two beautiful daughters with a son on the way. His wife has continued to serve in our Children’s ministry on Sunday mornings.

In Brenden’s very little spare time, he enjoys various outdoor activities, doing yard work, completing house projects, and spending as much time with his family as he can. He has considered himself a Christian his whole life, was baptized in a Baptist Church in Tennessee, and has experience with different denominations. He would be happy to meet you and welcome anyone to Zion Baptist Church of Pekin.

Pastor Brenden takes our church mission and vision, as well as the Great Commission seriously. He feels called to serve God in everything he does. He hopes and desires that through his biblical preaching and teaching, people will be led to Christ, encouraged to be faithful to God’s Word, and be inspired by the Holy Spirit. Pastor Brenden believes that through Jesus dying for us on the cross, all people may be forgiven, and that Jesus has victory over the grave so that we may have new life. He knows that through faith, not works, salvation is possible, and that God has a plan and purpose for us all. Pastor Brenden wants everyone to know that God loves you and that you can find meaning for your life when you have a relationship with God. It is not too late to embrace what Jesus Christ has done for you and to start living for Him.

Our church has two volunteer “associate” pastors that help lead our congregation. These individuals were appointed by our church elders and accepted by our Operations Committee in October of 2021.

Pastor JohnMarc Everly

JohnMarc has been a lifelong member of Zion Baptist Church, attending for the first time the same week he was welcomed home as a newborn. He is the grandson of our Late Pastor Everly and has been a lifelong follower of Christ. Professing his faith at the age of 10 and being baptized in his early teenage years, JohnMarc has devoted his free time to studying theology, world religions, biblical history/archaeology, and philosophy. Currently attending Liberty University, JohnMarc is working towards a Bachelors in Christian counseling. He is married to his best friend, Tyne Handegan Everly. They share a blended family of 10 beautiful children. JohnMarc believes strongly in the gospel message, the historicity of the Bible and the events within, and the message of God’s Love for us. He is specifically interested in Christian Apologetics and the service of Ministering to the lost. As a result, He wishes to make heaven crowded.

In his free time, JohnMarc likes to hunt, fish, camp, and hike. He especially enjoys to spend time with his wife and children. He is a strong supporter of his children’s sport activities and extracurricular hobbies. His goal as a father and husband is to make an impact on their lives as a role model and provider that they will love and appreciate for eternity.

JohnMarc would like to humbly and lovingly welcome all that wish to attend Zion Baptist to come as you are, serve God with us, and make Zion your new home.