About Our Pastors
Pastor Jake Henshaw and his wife Megaly were called to serve at Immanuel Baptist Church (IBC) in full time ministry by the church in 2022, first as the Assistant Pastor, working under Pastor Burtch, and then later as senior Pastor in 2024. Pastor Henshaw attended Pensacola University and Theological Seminary from 2019-2022 where he earned several bachelor’s degrees, a Master of Biblical Languages, and an MDiv. He was ordained in Palmer, Alaska in 2024.
Pastor Henshaw grew up in Palmer, Alaska and as a child attended Immanual Baptist Church He was a member of IBC as a young adult before, during, and after attending college. He received Christ at the age of 13 and has a deep love for the local church and the ministry. The Lord has blessed Jake and Megaly with a young son, Roger, and the desire for more children. Please pray for the Henshaw family as they lovingly serve, wisely lead, diligently disciple, carefully teach, and prayerfully live by faith.
Immanuel Baptist Church’s retired pastor is Pastor Emeritus Ben Burtch. He and his wife Diane retired in 2024 but are still members that serve in many capacities in our local church. The Burch family Ben, Diane, their daughter Anna, and son David arrived at Immanuel in August of 1996 to assume the pastorate. Pastor Burtch had previous ministry at Whittemore Baptist Church in Michigan. Pastor Burtch and Diane have truly enjoyed serving the Matanuska-Susitna Valley community for many years and look forward to many more years of service here as the Lord allows.
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel – Phil 1:27