Board of Directors

Toby Barnett, Member-at-Large:
Toby BarnettToby Barnett is Executive Director of Development for Baylor University. In that capacity he is directs the advancement program to help support the financial foundations of Baylor. He has served in the Future Generations emphasis of the Missouri Baptist Foundation and in the advancement organization for the University of Missouri-Columbia. Toby and his family live in Waco, TX, and has also been in church planting in his lifetime of ministry.

Verlyn Bergen, Secretary:
Verlyn BergenVerlyn is co-founder and co-owner of MinistryConnect as well as Resources & Relationships Team Leader for the Church Net of Missouri.  As a denominational leader, Verlyn led a state-wide effort for Eastern Europe to support 25 new church plants and develop pastoral leadership training.  Verlyn is one of the founding partners of the Future Leadership Foundation. Verlyn and his wife Karen are participants at Woodcrest Chapel in Jefferson City, MO.

Rodger Cobb, Member-At-Large:
Rodger CobbRodger gave managerial leadership within a national manufacturing corporation for many years. Rodger engages his business and financial wisdom with several start-up and long-time companies as well as this foundation. He is a registered professional engineer. Rodger and his wife Kay serve as deacons at First Baptist Church, Jefferson City, MO. He also is a member of strategic ministry teams.

John Heskett, Vice-President:
John HeskettJohn provides consulting services for school districts, universities, state education agencies and other public agencies in policy analysis and development, interagency coordination, strategic planning, services for at –risk students, special education, and African American Academic Achievement. He has been a visiting professor as well as both an assistant superintendent of schools and superintendent. His wife Jeanie is a retired teacher, and they are members of Chesterfield United Methodist church in St. Louis.

Norma Houston, Member-At-Large:
Norma HoustonNorma has been a lifelong children’s Sunday School teacher. Norma and husband Virgil have lived in the Lake of the Ozarks area all their married life and raised their five children there.  They are members of First Baptist Church, Camdenton, MO. Norma has been to Eastern Europe numerous times to coach preschool and children’s leaders of local churches.  She has been active in local church, associational and denominational ministry.

Phil Hunt, Member-at-Large:
Phil HuntAfter retiring from a 34-year banking career, Phil served six years on the staff of the Missouri Baptist Foundation in the areas of estate planning, stewardship education and development work. He has also retired from advancement work for Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis. Over the years, he has been active in both domestic and global mission projects. Phil and Ruthetta are members of the  Grace Community Chapel, St. Peters MO.

Stephen E. Mathis, President:
Stephen Mathis Stephen is a CFP® and Executive Vice President of the Missouri Baptist Foundation in Jefferson City, MO. Stephen has directed estate and gift planning services for over twenty years. Prior to this, he served as a management consultant for a Fortune 500 agribusiness firm. He and his wife Nancy are members First Baptist Church, Jefferson City, MO. He has been a part of numerous personal and family mission trips.

Roy Miller, Member-At-Large:
Roy MillerRoy and Lori Miller lead Precision Line Company of Moberly, MO, a specialty printing company that sells nationally. Beginning as an engineer, Roy’s career started in highway road and bridge construction before beginning Precision Line. Roy and Lori are active in their church, Timberlake Christian Church, in Moberly, where he serves as a sound technician, in the benevolence program, and in small groups. Roy and Lori have partnered with several area churches leading Crown Financial Study Bible studies.