Andrea Huffman, Senior Pastor

Andrea joined the staff of Dayspring in November 2022. Though originally from Texas, she has spent most of her adult life in the Midwest: first in the Kansas City metro area and now here in St. Louis. She earned her Bachelor’s from Howard Payne University and her M.A. in Cross-Cultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary before attending Central Baptist Theological Seminary where she earned a Master of Divinity. 

She and her husband Aaron have three fun and feisty children that keep their house a bustling (and loud) place to be. When not wrangling children and organizing schedules, Andrea enjoys reading, watching movies with her husband, singing loudly in her car, and embarking on creative DIY projects around the house. 

Andrea enjoys introducing creativity within the context of theology and church. She believes that churches should be places of healing, hospitality, inclusivity, and wonder. She comes at the Bible with more questions than answers, and thinks Spiritual Formation is seriously underrated. The people who have most influenced her theology include Rachel Held Evans, Nadia Bolz-Weber, Peter Enns, and Shane Claiborne, among others. Because coffee makes a day better, she’d be happy to sit across from you at a local coffee shop and talk all things theology (or Marvel movies, or Broadway musicals). 


Cathy Pettibone, Youth Ministry Director

Cathy grew up in the small town of Nashville, Illinois just outside of St. Louis. She left the small-town life behind to become a Camp Counselor.  While finishing her degree in social work at SIUE, she happened into her first youth ministry position.  Cathy has now served congregations in various Youth Ministry & Christian Education positions for the past twenty years.  Being raised in a church that valued intergenerational relationships, Cathy brings that approach to her ministry as well.  From youth group Bible study to leading retreats or lock-ins, everything is based on building relationships within the congregation.  After growing up and serving in the United Church of Christ, Cathy is excited to share in ministry with Dayspring.

 At home, Cathy enjoys family adventures with her husband, Jon, and their two kids, Emma & Bennett.  Their house would not be complete without Baxter the Chiweenie, who makes up for his lack of good behavior with being cute.  The Pettibones can usually be found seeking out travel adventures, playing highly competitive board games, or doing something Harry Potter related.


Angie Smith, Manna Children’s Ministry Director

Angie Smith has been in St. Louis for almost 20 years after growing up in Springfield, Illinois.  She is married to her husband, Brian, and has three boys - Michah (12), Benjamin (10) and Luke (5).  She received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Missouri Baptist University.  She taught in the Kirkwood School District for four years before staying at home with her own boys.  

Angie has been involved in children's ministry for many years including teaching Sunday school, organizing VBS and everything in between.  She has attended MOPS at Dayspring since it began and enjoys meeting new moms and sharing the motherhood journey together. 

Most of her time is spent shuttling her boys to their many activities and events!  She loves to relax by reading.  Angie has served as Manna Director at Dayspring since August 2018.


Brenda Hamm, Nursery Coordinator and Kid’s Day Out Director

Brenda is native to the Saint Louis area, spending all of her childhood and most of her adult years in Missouri. She has always had a heart for young childhood ministries, receiving her bachelor’s degree from Missouri Baptist College in elementary education with an emphasis in early childhood education. After receiving her degree, Brenda taught early elementary for several years before having children of her own. She continued her love of teaching through homeschooling her own children while moving out of the country to China and then to California.

After returning to the Saint Louis area, Brenda again returned to early childhood ministries. She began working with the MOPS program in 2011 and was introduced to the community at Dayspring Baptist Church. Over the next few years Brenda became more involved with early childhood ministry at Dayspring before becoming the nursery director in 2016. In her spare time, Brenda enjoys spending time with her family, attending Cardinals baseball games and is an avid reader.


Linda O’Heron, Office Manager and Administrative Assistant

Linda is a native of the St. Louis area and joined the staff of Dayspring in July 2023. She has held several positions over the years, including a non-profit secretary in a church-based organization, a church music director/organist and parish administrator of a local Episcopal congregation. She also has experience as a marketing director, communications/IT specialist, and an adjunct professor, having earned her doctorate in Business Administration.

When she’s not keeping the church running, she enjoys being creative (she is an artist and jewelry maker!), spending time with her grandkids, and generally finding joy and gratitude in daily life.