Pastor: Rev. Lonny Mittag

     Pastor Lonny and his wife Joyce are originally from southwest Missouri.  They both graduated from high school in
Seneca, Missouri.  He spent two years on active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1965-67.  They're both graduates of
Missouri Southern State College (now MSS University) in Joplin. Following graduation in 1971, they married and
moved to the Salem, Missouri area where they both taught school along with raising cattle. 
 
     Bro. Lonny surrendered to the gospel ministry in 1978.  He was ordained in 1979 while serving as pastor of First
Baptist Church in Bunker, Missouri. From 1983-93 he served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Risco, Mo., and
from 1993-2004 he served as pastor of Varner River Baptist Church in Kennett, Mo. In 2004 he came to Friendship. 
Joyce taught school while they were at Bunker, and at Gideon, Missouri from 1984-2010. They have two sons and
four granddaughters.  For many years he was an avid long-distance runner. Nowadays, in his spare time, he enjoys
time outdoors: biking, hiking, kayaking, and camping.
 
     Bro. Lonny enjoys serving as a pastor for God's people. He laughs in thinking that during those years he taught
school and raised cattle the Lord was preparing him to teach and watch over His flock!