Interim Pastor Keith Gephart

Pastor Gephart was born in Elizabeth, Pa, one of three sons to David & Vera Gephart. He was saved at 15 years of age at an evangelistic meeting in western Pennsylvania. One year later God called him to full time ministry. He attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC and graduated with a BA in Bible in 1970, an MA in Bible in 1971, and a Ph. D in Old Testament Interpretation in 1976. While in grad school he served as a graduate assistant teaching English.

In 1974 he married Cynthia Gembola from Buffalo, NY whom he met at BJU. God has blessed Keith and Cindi with four children: David, Kimberly, Jonathan, and Jeremy. They now have 15 grandchildren.

In 1976 Keith became pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Windsor CT. The church grew from 35-110 in three years. In 1979 Dr. Gephart was called to teach at the San Francisco Baptist Theological Seminary where he worked for 9 years. During that time he became pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Alameda, CA. That church in 8 years grew from 15 people to about 150.

In 1988 the Lord called Keith and Cindi to pastor Cindi’s home church in Buffalo, NY: Hedstrom Memorial Baptist Church. Dr. Gephart led the church through a building program and moved it to Cheektowaga, NY where the church continues to this day. This church also witnessed healthy growth from 75 to well over 150.

In 1998 the Lord called the Gepharts to Tempe, AZ where Keith would teach at International Baptist College and Seminary for 14 years, teaching many Bible, Theology, and Pastoral courses, in addition to Greek and other courses. He was also Dean of Students and the Director of Student Life. Cindi obtained her nursing degree while in NY and has served as a nurse ever since, as well as being heavily involved in the church ministries.

In 2008 Keith was called to pastor Berean Baptist Church of San Tan Valley, AZ. At the time the church had 35 people and met in a modified mobile home. Since that time the church has purchased additional property and converted a house into a larger church auditorium. The church continues to grow, and the Lord has blessed the church with 2 young pastors—Bible College/Seminary graduates—who were trained under Pastor Gephart and now have succeeded him to the leadership of Berean Baptist Church. Pastor Gephart stepped down from the full-time pastorate on Oct. 28, 2018 and became Pastor Emiratis. He and Cindi continue to serve in the congregation.