Meet Our Pastor and Staff

Get to know the pastor and staff at Living Word Church. Learn about our team who serve our church community.

Pastor Bruce and Audrey Baxter from Living Word Church

Dr. Bruce Baxter

Lead Pastor

BBaxter@livingwordumc.org– Ext. 2802

Pastor Bruce and his wife Audrey, have been married for 41 years. They have a son, David, who is married to Danelle and are parents of Madelyn who is eight years old. Their daughter, Bethany, is married to Mas Podgorny and they have twin one year old sons. Pastor Bruce received his B.S. from University of Missouri in St. Louis, Master of Divinity from Asbury Seminary, Master of Theology from Covenant Seminary, and Ph.D. from St. Louis University. His hobbies are distance running, flying (Private Pilot in the Civil Air Patrol), motorcycling, backpacking, and fishing.

Amanda Alber, Assistant Director of NextGen Ministries, at Living Word Church

Amanda Alber

Director of NextGen Ministries

AAlber@livingwordumc.org – Ext. 2825

Amanda and her husband Dan became members of Living Word after moving back to St. Louis in 2008. She has been teaching at Living Word ECC and volunteering with NextGen Ministries since then. Prior to St. Louis, she lived in Champaign, IL where she spent lots of time at church teaching Sunday School, leading High School Youth Group, and directing Youth Club. She has two sons, Ben and Ryan, and loves spending time with family, hiking, and going on road trips. She loves watching college football, Cardinal baseball, and going to amusement parks around the country. She has yet to find a roller coaster she won’t try!

Donna Baker

Director of Traditional Music Ministries

DBaker@livingwordumc.org – Ext. 2810

A former elementary and high school vocal music teacher in the Rockwood School District, Donna also served in the church as a director of children, youth and adult choirs. She received her degree in Vocal and Instrumental Education from William Jewell College and a Master of Arts in Educational Processes from Maryville University. She enjoys singing and plays the flute and piano. A St. Louis native, Donna enjoys spending time with her family, including her three grandchildren (Lola, George, and Blaire), and her sweet beagle, Marley.

Beth Balzraine

Director of Communications

BBalzraine@livingwordumc.org – Ext. 2803

Originally from Little Rock, AR, Beth has lived in Louisiana, Texas and Missouri. She graduated from Kickapoo High School and Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. She and her husband, John, have lived in Wildwood since 1999 and have been members of Living Word since April of 2000. They have 2 children, Elise (Brett) and Brett (Emily) and are proud grandparents of two. Beth enjoys traveling, staying active, and spending time outdoors.

Living Word Church Media Booth Supervisor Amanda Braun

Amanda Braun

Administrative Assistant / Media Booth Supervisor

ABraun@livingwordumc.org – Ext. 2851

Amanda grew up in Leasburg, MO and has spent little time away from Missouri. Now she comes to us from Union where she lives with her son, Finn, and husband, Darrel. In her spare time, when she isn’t gallantly chasing after Finn, she likes to play cards, read, and embroider. 

Living Word Church Accompanist Nancy Classen

Nancy Classen

Organist

Nancy is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and joined the Living Word staff in January of 1999.  She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in music performance from Carnegie Mellon University and her Master of Music degree from Webster University.   Prior to joining Living Word, she served as organist for the Evangelical Redeemer United Church of Christ in south St. Louis.  

Nancy is also an oboist and plays periodically with Living Word’s choral and instrumental ensembles.  She also enjoys performing in several local orchestras along with her husband, Chris.   Aside from her musical pursuits, Nancy has been a certified Group Exercise Instructor since 2002 and teaches a variety of fitness classes for Club Fitness.

Nancy and her husband, Chris, have six children; two of whom are currently serving in the Military (Navy and Marines).

Living Word Church staff Joe Eichholz Weeknight Custodial Associate

Joe Eichholz

Weeknight Custodial Associate

JEichholz@livingwordumc.org – Ext. 2844

Joe is a St. Louis native, and has lived here his entire life. He has been married for eighteen years to his wife, Ginny, and between them they have five children, with five grandchildren, and one more grandchild on the way. Joe worked for the Fort Zumwalt School District for six years, and has also been employed as an over-the-road truck driver, a rehabber, and seller/buyer on eBay. His hobbies include metalworking, electronics, plasma cutters, and playing his Fender guitar. He likes to invent anything from toys to tools.

Living Word Church Contemporary Worship Leader Alyssa Kelhoffer

Alyssa Kellhofer

Director of Contemporary Worship

AKellhofer@livingwordumc.org – Ext. 2850

Alyssa grew up in O’Fallon, Illinois, and began singing at an early age. She attended Missouri State University where she majored in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Vocal Music. While in college she was a member of the MSU Gospel Choir, Concert Chorale and the all-female a cappella group, A Cub Bella. For the past three years, Alyssa has been working as a prevention educator for the National Council of Alcohol and Drug Abuse and will continue to teach part time, traveling to schools in the St. Louis area.
Besides singing and teaching, Alyssa enjoys spending time with her husband, Jeremy, and their three children – Noah, Avery and Hadley.
Alyssa joined Living Word’s Worship Team and became a member of Living Word in 2012.
Brad Locke, Executive Director, at Living Word Church

Brad Locke

Executive Director 

BLocke@livingwordumc.org – Ext. 2840

Brad and his wife Mary became members of Living Word shortly after the church moved to its present location in 2008. He retired from banking after serving as Chief Financial Officer of Jefferson Bank and Trust Company for just over 30 years. Brad has a heart for ministry and wants to serve Christ by using his gifts to help Living Word make an eternal impact on the world. He has four children: Katie, Sarah, Brandon, and Justin and loves spending time with his family, playing golf, pickleball, gardening, and fishing. He also enjoys musicals, Blues hockey, Cardinal baseball, Silky’s custard, and barbecue.

Buzz Matthews

Associate Director of NextGen Ministries 

BMatthews@livingwordumc.org – Ext. 2826

Buzz serves on staff as Assistant Director of NextGen Ministries, focusing on youth ministry and media production. With more than twenty years of experience in student and family ministry, he has served in a variety of church settings, helping build environments where students can grow in faith, develop leadership, and find a sense of belonging. Buzz holds graduate degrees in theology/ministry and has a passion for hands-on ministry that involves parents, adult leaders, and students working together. He is the father of Toby and Josiah and co-parents with their mom. In his free time, Buzz enjoys creating music, working on writing projects, and spending time with his sons, whether that’s at the batting cages, watching sports, or just being together.

Holly McKee, accompanist for Living Word Church

Holly Mckee

Accompanist

Holly has lived her entire life in the St. Louis area. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music with an emphasis in Piano in 1989 from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She has accompanied soloists, ensembles, choirs and instrumentalists during her career. In addition to her position at Living Word, she is also the accompanist at Marquette High School. She currently sings with the Visions of Harmony Chorus, a competitive a cappella women’s chorus. Her hobbies include reading (mysteries are her favorite!) and playing video games with her daughter.

Becky Miller, Living Word Church Early Childhood Center Director

Becky Miller

Director of Early Childhood Center

BMiller@livingwordumc.org – Ext. 2860

Becky graduated from Webster University with a degree in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Special Education. She worked for a non-profit agency in an inclusive 2 year old classroom and then a 3-5 year old classroom while also providing developmental therapy in the community through Missouri’s First Steps program. She also ran a program called Sibshops for the siblings of children with special needs and owned and operated her own childcare business out of her home while her three boys were growing from infants to preschoolers. Two of her three boys attended Living Word Early Childhood Center (LWECC) for preschool and she taught at LWECC in different capacities since 2014. Her passion is working with children and families to help all children learn to grow and play together and be important and valued members of our society. Becky, her husband Jeremiah, and their three boys live in Wildwood.
Jessica Smithson, Assistant Director of Living Word Church Early Childhood Center

Jessica Smithson

Assistant Director of Early Childhood Center

JSmithson@livingwordumc.org – Ext. 2861

Jessica grew up in Mississippi and Tennessee and moved to the St. Louis area in 1999. Her family joined Living Word in 2000. Her husband, Jeff, works for Sams Club . They have three children: Ryan, Reagan and Reid. Jessica joined the staff of Living Word ECC in July 2006. If she had free time she would enjoy reading and scrapbooking!!
Living Word Church staff Mark Turner Director of Facilities Management

Mark Turner

Director of Facilities Management

MTurner@livingwordumc.org – Ext. 2842

Mark grew up in Mount Prospect, Illinois (suburb of Chicago) and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from Western Illinois University. Mark also has his paramedic license and worked in the ER of St. John’s Mercy Hospital (Washington, MO) for 5 years. He worked at Maryville University in Buildings & Grounds for 7 years and in Facilities Management at Fru-Con Construction (FCC Corporation) for 17 years. He has been married to his wife, Tammy, since 1992 and they have two children; Jerod and Ava. Mark enjoys singing, spending time outdoors & hunting, hanging out with family & friends, cooking & entertaining, gardening, internet shopping/research, and collecting kitchen gadgets. He likes the St. Louis Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Blackhawks. His favorite snack is Corn Nuts. He has mastered the crow call, and the sneak bear scare tactic.