Our Ministry Staff
John and Barri Lusk became Christians in 1983, while they were attending Louisiana State University. They were married in 1985 and now have two beautiful girls, Jana and Marin. Barri has a BA degree in Sociology and John has a BS in Civil Engineering and a Master’s in Religion. They have served in the full time ministry since 1987 in many cities throughout the world—Baton Rouge, San Francisco, Sacramento, Bangkok, Manila, Denver, and St. Louis. While they were living in Southeast Asia, they helped start or oversee churches in Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and throughout the Mindanoa region of the Philippines. They have also spoken to many thousands of people in more than a dozen different nations.
They now serve as the Senior Minister and Women’s Ministry Leader of the Greater St. Louis Church. John is also the Vice President of the Eurasian Mission Society, the Heartland Regional Coordinator for Eurasian Missions, and one of the International Singles Ministry Service Team members. Both John and Barri travel periodically to Siberia and Eastern Russia to help strengthen the churches there.
On a personal note, John and Barri most enjoy spending time with their family. John is also an avid archer, archery instructor, and bowhunter.
Heidi Rice was converted to Christ in 1983 while a student at the University of Colorado. She married Dan Rice in 1990 and has two wonderful children, Alexandria (16) and Taylor (15). Beginning in 1987, Dan and Heidi served churches in many capacities and in a number of different cities and states - Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, San Diego, Los Angeles, Fort Worth, Wichita, and St. Louis. Heidi served faithfully alongside Dan in the full-time ministry until June 2008 when Dan was called home to heaven. Dan served as an Evangelist in the Greater St. Louis Church for more than 9 years and made an eternal impact on thousands of lives here and around the world. Please see, "In Memory of Dan Rice" to learn more about his amazing life. Heidi continues to serve the greater St. Louis church as the Associate Women's Ministry Leader. She works as the Youth and Family Women's Ministry Leaders and oversees the Children's Ministry. Heidi enjoys raising her children, running and being with friends.
Tim & Crystal Schmidt both grew up in the St. Louis area. Tim became a Christian here in the Greater St. Louis Church in 1991 as a high school student. Crystal became a Christian in 2000 in 
St. Louis as well. Tim spent many years in the teen and campus ministries and served as a summer intern for the church his sophomore year of college. Tim studied music at the
Currently, Tim and Crystal lead the Campus as well as the Music & Arts ministries. Crystal is excited to enter the ministry this year. Before going into the ministry Crystal danced professionally as well as teaching dance for15 years and volunteered in the teen and campus ministries in the church. Tim & Crystal have two energetic toddlers, Joshua and Adrianna.
Brian Gross became a Christian while attending Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, Illinois) in 1998. Brian married his wife Danielle in 2004 and they have a beautiful daughter named Lauryn.
Brian has a BS in Marketing and a Master’s in Public Administration with a specialization in finance. Brian worked in local government and he was an Assistant City Administrator prior to becoming a youth minister/administrator for the Greater St. Louis church. Brian and Danielle volunteered their time with the Chicago Church of Christ youth ministry and Brian was involved in programs such as Hope Worldwide Youthcorps and Americorps. Danielle has a BA in Sociology and works full-time as a supervisor for a private university in Missouri but she continues to volunteer her time in the youth ministry.
