First Baptist Church Staff
Rev. Dr. John Patrick ColatchPastor
John Patrick Colatch was born in Utah and raised in Connellsville, PA. He holds degrees from W.Va. Wesleyan College, Duke University Divinity School, Duquesne University, and Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School. He is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church. He served churches in Dunbar, PA and eastern North Carolina before beginning his 30+ year ministry in higher education.That ministry began at the Wesley Foundation at The University of Delaware, and was followed by chaplaincies at Ferrum College, Allegheny College, Lafayette College, and Bucknell University. He serves as a Doctoral Coach at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. He is a certified Penn State Extension Master Gardener. He is married to Connie Kramer and they have two children, Carly and family in Leeds, UK, and Zach and family in Northfield VT.
Brett Hosterman
Music Director & Organist
Brett is an Organist, Conductor and Artist who is a native of the Central Pennsylvania region. Born and raised in Mifflinburg, he was a 2006 graduate of S usquehanna University where he majored in Music Education with an emphasis in Organ Performance. In 2012, he completed his Masters Degree in Wind Conducting from Messiah College. From 2006-2015 Hosterman served as the Director of Instrumental music for the Milton Area School District where he was responsible for 6-12 Instrumental Music ensembles, lessons, and various music elective courses. After his teaching career, Brett started his own business where he could showcase his artist skills as a photographer and graphic designer.
Appointed as Organist of First Baptist Church in May 2019, he has held organist positions at Lincoln Chapel UMC (Laurelton), First Presbyterian (Lewisburg), and Christ Lutheran (Milton). In addition to being an organist and pianist, Brett is a sought after conductor, music educator and clinician throughout the area and is founder of the Milton Area Community Band in which he still conducts.
Brett lives and operates his business in Montandon with his husband David and their dog Frankie.
Leslie Conrad
Church Secretary
Leslie graduated from Shikellamy High School and continued classes in the Adult Continuing Education program at Susquehanna University, taking classes in Creative Writing, History, and Gerontology. Leslie worked in Finance and Budgeting in local government and at Geisinger Medical Center for many years. She is married to John and lives in Lewisburg. They have four sons and one daughter.