Keith Carnahan, President

Keith Carnahan was born into a Christian family in 1954 and was born again in 1964. Following the example of his parents, he grew up serving in their local church.

Surrendering to preach the gospel at the age of 24 brought an abrupt halt to his dreams of buying the family business. Supported by his wife, Cheryn, he spent the next three years preparing for the gospel ministry. In 1981, he moved his wife and three children to southern Illinois to plant Grace Baptist Church and begin a Christian school.

The new ministry soon came into conflict with the state of Illinois. The state planned to put church property on the tax rolls. Grace Baptist became the test case in this battle and a victory was won for all churches in the state. This experience left Pastor Carnahan with the firm conviction that Christians must vigorously defend religious liberty.

The year of 1991 found the family returning to Missouri to accept the pastorate of Maranatha Baptist Church and school in St. Robert. The church serves the military community of Fort Leonard Wood and has experienced wonderful blessings over the past 26 years.

Pastor Carnahan continues to promote religious liberty by serving as the Legislative Director for the Missouri Association of Christian Schools. He also oversees the Committee on Legislative Education and Action for Religious Liberty or C.L.E.A.R. in the state of Missouri.

Pastor Carnahan is excited about working with believers in his home state to advance the cause of Christ and preserve religious liberty.

Monte Shinkle, Vice President

Brother Monte has been a Senior Pastor at Concord Baptist Church for over 20 years, during which time the church has experienced substantial growth in attendance and influence. He is known widely as an uncompromising biblical preacher with a ministry that extends beyond the local church through Take Heart radio and TV broadcasts. He is a frequent revival preacher. Monte is a graduate of University of Kentucky and has a Masters and Doctoral degree from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Monte and his wife Betty have four grown children and are spirited Kentucky Wildcat fans.

Steve Proctor, Secretary/Treasurer

In February 1988, fresh out of Bible College, Bro. Steve Proctor was called to be the Associate Pastor in charge of youth and music at Westwood Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. For six years, he served under the leadership of Dr. Ken Keathley. In 1994, upon Dr. Keathley’s resignation, the church enthusiastically called Bro. Steve to be their Senior Pastor. Since then Westwood has continued to grow to an average Sunday morning attendance of over 500, and averages over 100 baptisms per year. 

One of Bro. Steve’s greatest blessings of the last 29 years has been watching young people surrender their lives for Christian service. Currently, 25+ young people from Westwood are either preparing or are already serving in full-time Christian ministry. 

In 2002, under Bro. Steve’s leadership, the church started a Christian school. This year Westwood Baptist Academy has 227 students enrolled from 3-year old Kindergarten through 12th grade. 

Bro. Steve has been married to his wife and partner in ministry, Nancy, for 37 years.