I was born and raised in Wisconsin. I was born again at the age of twenty-two when I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Now more than thirty years later I look back and see the Lord’s blessing and provision in my life. After our family of seven served as missionaries overseas, I’ve had the honor of being a Preaching Elder of First Baptist Church since 2014. I facilitate missiology courses at Spurgeon College and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Kansas City, MO) as an adjunct faculty. And I serve as Iowa’s trustee for the International Mission Board (SBC).

I believe the Lord uses His Word, the Bible, to teach people about Himself, leading them into salvation and service. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, died on the cross for our sins and rose again from the dead. All who receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are born again (Jn 3), are forgiven of their sins, and granted eternal life (Jn 1:12-13; Rom 10:9-13). Jesus is our Creator, the only Savior, and eternal King. Jesus Christ is eternal Creator and Savior God, one with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.

For every tribe and nation and tongue, the Lord speaks to the world through the Scriptures and draws people to Himself. It is my commitment to preach the Word of God with an emphasis on book by book expository teaching. As the church continues to learn and understand God’s Word, we must also put what we learn into practice, glorifying Christ in worship, discipleship, and mission. I invite you to join us as we learn God’s Word, trust God’s will, and endeavor to serve Jesus Christ here in Bettendorf and even to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). 

Your servant in Jesus Christ,

Dr. Cory Gonyo (JD, DMin, PhD)

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I was born and raised just north of the Quad Cities in the Calamus-Wheatland community. I met my wife Kayla at the age of 18 years old and she and I were married in our youth. We’ve been blessed with four lovely daughters, Lily, Peyton, Bailey and Carly. I have been working as a Production Welder at John Deere Davenport Works since 2011.

 The seeds of my faith were planted all throughout my life particularly through the testimony of my father-in-law, but they didn’t finally take root until 2017-2018 when I was brought to the stark realization that my faith up to then was only skin deep. Convicted of my sin I turned to the only one who lifts the heavy burden off the weary pilgrim’s back, Jesus Christ our savior.

My family found FBC in 2018 and in obedience I was baptized and professed my faith among my brothers and sisters in the summer of 2018. I began to discern a calling from the Lord in the form of an insatiable hunger to understand His word. I decided to pursue higher education and I am currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Biblical Studies program at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College. My aim is eventually to focus my studies on Biblical Counseling and soul care for the Church.

I have served the Church as a Deacon, as a small group leader and as a shepherd to the youth. These teaching and leadership opportunities have shaped me and supplemented my education and have coalesced in an aspiration to eventually move into full time ministry if the Lord wills. As a newly ordained Elder at FBC it is my desire to serve the Lord and shepherd the flock at FBC along side of my brothers, accountable to the body, under the headship of the Lord.

I grew up in Bettendorf, with my parents and sister. I attended a small Baptist church growing up, that my family was involved in. I was saved as a child, but I did not grow in my faith until I became an adult. In 2008, I married my husband Ethan, and we started a family. We now have four wonderful daughters, who we homeschool. 

I have always loved working with children. I started working with children as a teenager, babysitting for neighbors. I worked at a Christian daycare here in the Quad Cities for a while before becoming a stay-at-home mom when my first daughter was born. My first two daughters started in public school, where I volunteered on the PTA. There were many things we loved about their school but felt God directing us to bring them home and teach them. 

I felt God's call on my life in May 2018 to work with children and families for Him. This call came shortly after my family began attending First Baptist Church - Bettendorf. It was at this time that I, and my family, surrendered our lives fully to the Lord. I am now enrolled at Spurgeon College through Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary pursuing my Bachelors in Christian Ministry. 

Since we joined First Baptist Church - Bettendorf, our family dynamic has changed as my husband and I have learned to be the primary disciple-makers in our home. We seek to be as involved in our children's spiritual growth and development, as we are in their physical and mental development. This shift has been more rewarding than we could have imagined, and the closeness to each other and to God grows stronger each day. I cannot wait to see where God leads His church in Children's and Family Ministries. My prayer is to remain simply a vessel for Him, and for families to worship the Lord together. I want to Biblically train children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6), to count them as co-heirs and worship alongside them (Mark 9:36-37, Matthew 18:10, Luke 18:15-17) and to help equip parents to be the primary disciple-makers in their children's lives. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). 

I grew up mainly in South Carolina. By God’s grace I was born into a Christian home. My father and mother provided a wonderful example of what it looked like to serve Jesus at home, at work, and at church. Because of their love and discipleship of me, I said yes to Christ as a six-year old and was baptized. My call to ministry (Isaiah.6:8) came when I was 13 at youth camp. Since that time, I have pursued God’s call and ordered my life around the work of the good news of Jesus Christ.

Over the years, he has continued to conform me to his image through his grace in suffering, conviction of sin, and his great love and mercy. (Romans. 8:29-30, James 1:2-4) He has never failed to provide for me and to prove his faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-24) He has given me great opportunities to lead and share the gospel.

I hold a B.A. in Christian Ministries from Indiana Wesleyan University, where I met my wife, Julia, and a M.A. in Theological Studies from Columbia International University Seminary and School of Ministry. In my years of ministry I have had the blessing of being a Lead and Staff Pastor, a church planter, a ministry consultant, and now a Preaching Elder here at First Baptist. Outside of serving in ministry I enjoy history, music, traveling, and cheering on the West Virginia Mountaineers. #LetsGoMountaineers!

The Lord has given Julia and I four wonderful children, Malachi, Abigail, Adah, & Matthias. My family is a joy to me and they make me a better pastor. After living and serving churches in Indiana, North Carolina, Maryland, South Carolina, and Texas, we are thankful to call Iowa and especially First Baptist Church - Bettendorf, "Home". To Him alone be the glory!

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