Our Leaders

Paul Knott came to serve as Senior Pastor of Hastings Berean in September of 2002 after serving over twelve years as pastor of Fellowship Bible Church in Newman Grove, Nebraska. Prior to that he worked for over thirteen years in management for a manufacturing firm in Denver. A Colorado native, he received his B.A. in Christian Education from Biola College and his Masters of Theology from Andersonville Seminary. He has devoted most of his adult life to preaching, teaching, and church leadership. He continues to have a passion for teaching God’s Word and encouraging people in their walk with the Lord. Paul and his wife Betty are the parents of five children and twelve grandchildren. They enjoy motorcycle riding, running, camping, hiking, reading, and spending time with family.

Matthew joined the ministry team at Berean Bible in September of 2016. He and his wife Emily grew up in Roseville, CA where they were both active in ministry at Hillcrest Church. They moved to Portland, OR in 2005 where Matthew attended Multnomah Biblical Seminary while Emily taught High School Spanish. After completing his Masters of Divinity Matthew served as Pastor of Faith Bible Church in Willows, CA. Matthew is passionate about humility, Christian unity, life-long learning, and scripture. Matthew and Emily have three children, Naomi (born in 2008), Eli (born in 2011) and Caleb (born in 2012). The Brooks family enjoys reading, board games, silly fun, and going on adventures together.

Sonny Birnie began serving as the Youth Pastor in March of 2012. He is also a mechanic at the local Ford garage. Sonny has been involved in different youth ministries in the area since 2008. He also is attending Eternity Bible College on line to be better equipped to serve the Lord. Sonny is passionate about seeing youth walk with the Lord and building a good foundation in the Word of God. He is married to his wife Kristen and they have 3 children. They had a daughter Jordyn, who came into this world resting. Praise be to God, she is in Heaven already! The Lord has blessed them with a son, Josiah and daughter Taylor.

Pastor Sonny has a unique and powerful testimony. Watch him tell his story to hear about God's amazing work in his life.

Tonya, her husband Nick, and their two boys Colman (11) and Cormac (7) moved to Ayr in August of 2018 from Western Kansas to be closer to Nick's family. Tonya received her Associates degree in Business Administration from Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, Oklahoma where she grew up. The Mousel family enjoys fishing, being outside, spending time with their animals, and just being together. Tonya is excited to work with and serve the amazing staff and congregation of HBBC.

Kaitlyn has been in the Hastings area since graduating high school. She and her husband Jared are incredibly blessed to be able to raise their 3 children in a wonderful church family. It is Kaitlyn's desire to give back to the children of the Church as much as she was given as a child. 

As a Bible camp counselor all through high school and college, Kaitlyn finds little in life more exciting that seeing a child turn their life over to Christ. She hopes to leave an imprint of faith on every child who attends Childrens Ministry.

Jordan grew up at HBBC and served in worship ministry on/off going back to High School. He and his wife Jessi have 2 boys, Gideon and Simon. They have lived in the Hastings area most of their lives, intersected by 4 years in Kearney and 5 years in Lincoln.  Jordan & Jessi are incredibly thankful to be back in the area and serving at a church known for its strong core values and dedication to Biblical teaching and truth. He has a passion for music and worship because: in worship, we remember who God is and who we are to be as God’s people. Jordan is also a Chemist at Nova-Tech Inc. in Grand Island.