about us

Leadership Team

Favorite thing about St Louis:

Gotta be the Cardinals. Two things on my bucket list: 1) Go to a Cardinal World Series game (preferably where they win it). 2) Catch a foul/home run ball (always wanted to do that since I was a boy…I was that kid with a glove on at the game).

A defining God moment in your life:

Reading these words from Jesus, “But go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’” It took me a little to work through, but when I got it, it rocked me.

What do you do at MiddleTree?

I’m the Lead Pastor. I oversee the spiritual health and operation of the staff and church. It’s my responsibility to help ensure unity, maturity, and the equipping of people. Healthy leadership = healthy church

God is...

Trustworthy.

If you were a tree, what kind would you be?

An oak tree. Kind of a goofy reason, but as a kid I found a stick from an oak tree and I would smack it against the tree trunk as hard as I could trying to break it. It finally broke only after I broke a sweat. I still remember its resilience.

What do you love most about your job at MiddleTree?

The people. An overarching goal of mine in life is to serve in ministry with people I love doing life with. That’s what I’m doing.

Most important people in your life:

My wife, Mary, and my little girl, Adela. One is a clone of the other. They’re my favorite late night walking, ice cream eating partners. No one knows me like my wife and is as graceful with me as she is.

Check out Brian's blog

Favorite thing about St Louis:

T-Ravs and Forest Park. I can eat something deep fried and then walk it off in the St. Louis Zoo.

A defining God moment in your life:

Several years ago while living in Washington DC, in the middle of the Alpha Course, I let my guard down and decided to be baptized. I'd spent a lot of time angry and uncooperative with the church and its traditions.

What you do at MiddleTree?

I'm the Executive Pastor. I thought it would be my job to hand out bulletins on Sunday Mornings, but I almost never get to do that. My big passion is leadership development and creating community within MiddleTree. I oversee church finances, work with Pastor Brian and Pastor Will to lead the church, and I'm part of the teaching team. Someday, I hope to pass out bulletins again.

God is...

Panoramic.

What do you love most about your job at MiddleTree?

I love equipping people to do the things they are most passionate about. We are all called to a place in the church, I love helping people grow into that calling.

Most important people in your life:

My beautiful wife, Kelly Stockstill. Our new son Noah... I've been praying he is strong and courageous. The MiddleTree Church staff, particularly Pastor Brian. He's my pastor, BFF, and totally awesome buddy. The rabbit that runs around our backyard . . . it makes my wife really happy. And finally, my family who has been supportive to a fault.

Favorite thing about St. Louis:

That my family and friends all live in the area... they're only a hop, skip, and a jump away.

Defining God moment in your life:

When God told me that I need to learn to trust him instead of trying to work out situations/problems on my own.

What do you do at MiddleTree:

In the past I've lead worship for Middle Tree, I've helped with community outreach and I have a desire to be used by God in any capacity I can.

What is God challenging you in right now:

God is challenging me in my faith. It's easy to say "God is great" when things are going "Great!" But when going through a serious trial where the enemy is throwing all he can at you, I'm blessed to still be able to proclaim those words!

God is...

Everything.

Last book you read:

"Power of a Praying Husband" by Stormie Omartian.

If you were a tree, what kind would you be?

I would be an Evergreen Tree, because they display life all year round. No matter how cold the winter is or how hot the summer is, when everything around them dies, they are consistent in living.

Most important people in your life:

My wife Joslin. She's my support system. She prays for me and goes to God on my behalf and I am so grateful to have her in my life!

Favorite thing about St Louis:

The Arch thing, it's pretty cool because of how symmetrical it is.

What is God challenging you in right now:

Trust him completely, without hesitation or compromise.

God is...

Resourceful.

Last book you read:

Dictionary, I refer to a dictionary on a daily basis to ensure I know what I'm saying and I'm saying what I mean.

A defining God moment in your life:

I think a major defining God moment in my life was when I got a revelation of how much God loved, valued, and wanted me, and how much it hurt him when I moved away from him. "One experience of God is better than 100,000,000 explanations." I wish everyone had a similar moment.

What you do at MiddleTree?

I equip and support the church through directing worship arts. God has given everyone a way to express his or herself, and I aim to help the church express their love and adoration for God through worship. While music may be viewed as the main form of worship, I want to challenge us to go further than just singing a song.

If you were a tree what kind would you be?

An Evergreen Tree, because I would be who I was supposed to be regardless of the season.

Most important people in your life:

God is uno, because he is the source. My family (even though they live in Texas and Indiana).

Favorite thing about St Louis:

Toasted Ravioli and Ted Drewes.

A defining God moment in your life:

Moving from Washington DC to St. Louis with no job and nowhere to live to help start MiddleTree. I'm a planner, and that move stretched me. I had to rely completely on faith in God that things would be ok.

God is...

Hilarious! Most people forget about that.

What is God challenging you in right now:

To relax and prioritize.

MiddleTree core value you identity with the most?

Everything is an Experiment

If you were a tree, what kind would you be?

An oak tree in the fall. They have some of the prettiest leaves

Last book you read:

Toxic Charity

Most important people in your life:

My husband, Joshua. Over 11 years ago we met at Truman State University because we lived across the hall from each other. Our lil'baby Noah... he was born in January 2013-we couldn't be more excited. And the original members of the band Journey-for giving me music to help me through the insanity.