Celebrating Our Pastors This Month
As we close out our Pastor Appreciation Month series, we are thrilled to introduce you to our final featured pastor: Pastor Josh Medlin, Bay Life’s Middle School Pastor. All month long, we have been spotlighting the incredible men and women who lead and serve our church family with humility, wisdom, and compassion.
Josh’s passion for discipling the next generation, his deep love for God's Word, and his genuine care for students and families make him a vital part of the Bay Life team. Whether he is teaching middle schoolers, walking through personal grief with courage, or sharing his joy for fantasy novels and sushi, Josh reminds us that God works powerfully in both ordinary and extraordinary moments.
If you could only eat one food item for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Sushi.
Tell us one thing most people do not know about you.
I have a nephew named after me!
What Bible verse does God seem to continually bring you back to, sort of as a life verse?
Psalm 73:22–26 (ESV)
"I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.
Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
What are you currently reading, aside from the Bible?
Dozens of fantasy books! Most recently, The Stormlight Archive.
What does your ideal day look like? If you could do anything and go anywhere?
I would listen to audiobooks on a beach somewhere and have a nice dinner afterward with my wife, Nicole!
How did you meet your spouse, and when did you know you wanted to marry her?
We met in a high school Speech class and started dating right after graduation. I knew I wanted to marry her a couple years into dating, specifically while we were decorating her family’s house for Christmas. Her joy and love were so real, and I knew I wanted that in my life.
How did you come to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
A friend invited me to church in 7th grade. I said no repeatedly; until he got four more friends to pressure me into going. I finally said yes so I wouldn’t be the “uncool one.” That first night at First Baptist in Pekin, IL, I had so much fun that I kept going back. Over time, I heard the gospel and realized that if I wanted my life to have meaning beyond this world, I needed to surrender it to Jesus. One night they shared the gospel and asked us to raise our hands if we wanted to accept Christ. I was too afraid to raise mine, so I memorized the prayer and, after church ended, went outside and surrendered my life to Jesus on my own. That was the moment I made Him Lord and Savior of my life.
How has God used your role as pastor to transform you?
I love what I do because I get to study God's Word deeply every week. Becoming a pastor has grown me immensely as a follower of Jesus. It has given me courage to confront problems, wisdom in how to love others well, and experience that helps me walk with people toward Jesus. It has made me more intentional, humble, and focused on Kingdom work.
Describe your most recent personal encounter with Jesus.
It has been just over a year since my dad passed away, and waves of grief still hit me unexpectedly. Recently, while visiting a family member in the hospital, those emotions rose up again. Spending time that evening with Jesus, and talking through things with Nicole, brought healing I did not even realize I still needed. God has a way of helping us unearth the pain so He can meet us there and bring peace. That time in prayer brought the comfort I needed.
What specific ways would you like to see the members of Bay Life get more involved in ministry?
As the Middle School guy, I am always looking for more people to invest in students. I am constantly blown away by the leaders we already have, people who give up their free time to walk with young students through life and point them to Jesus. That kind of leadership makes a lasting impact. If you love Jesus and care about students, consider joining us in Kids’ or Student Ministry. There is nothing like helping raise up young Kingdom leaders.
How can the people of Bay Life specifically pray for you and your family?
My wife Nicole and I both work at Bay Life (she serves as our graphic designer). Please pray that we would stay close to Jesus and continue to be impactful in our ministry.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It is such a blessing to disciple your Middle School students! I love our church, and I am so thankful to work alongside such a great group of students and leaders. Thanks for having me!
Thank you, Pastor Josh, for the way you love, teach, and disciple the next generation. Your joy, humility, and heart for God’s Word shine through everything you do. May the Lord continue to bless your ministry as you help students discover what it means to follow Jesus with their whole hearts.
Closing Thoughts
As Pastor Appreciation Month comes to a close, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to all of our pastors at Bay Life Church. This series has given us a glimpse into their lives—their stories, passions, struggles, and faith—and reminded us that behind every sermon, ministry, and meeting is a person faithfully following Jesus.
To our pastors: thank you for leading with grace, for loving well, and for pointing us to Christ.
To our church family: let us continue to support, encourage, and pray for these shepherds who serve us so selflessly. May God bless them richly as they continue to lead us in faith and truth.
