Pastor Ed Decker began pastoring at the age of 21 in Kilgore, Texas. He has pastored in Texas, Florida, and Mississippi. In May of 1995, he was called as the pastor of Grace Independent Baptist Church in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Under his leadership, the church developed numerous ministries, including a school, Bible Institute, bus ministry, military serviceman's center, weekly jail services, monthly rescue mission services, etc. Today, many of these ministries continue to reach the men, women, and children of the MS Gulf Coast. As a result of some of these ministries, men have surrendered to the Gospel ministry. Some are lay workers in their churches; others are pastors (in Alabama, Tennessee, and Wisconsin); and two are missionaries (in Louisiana and Mexico). Pastor Decker also helped to instill in the church family a phenomenal heart for missions. The number of missionaries supported by GIBC increased from around 30 in 1995 to over 140 in 2007. During his 12 years there, GIBC gave over $1.2 million to missions.

In January of 2002, Pastor Decker accepted a position on the Board of Directors at the Rock of Ages Prison Ministry (Cleveland, TN). He has been actively involved in this ministry both here and around the world, having made 6 trips to the Philippines to offer physical and spiritual support to the Rock of Ages missionaries there. For more information about the work of the Rock of Ages, you can visit www.roapm.com.

On August 29, 2005, the Mississippi Gulf Coast was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The next 21 months were filled with helping provide food, clothing, building materials, and manual labor to help get folks back on their feet. It was also a time that God was using to prepare Pastor and Mrs. Decker for a whole new ministry. With the church facilities repaired and the ministry moving again, God stirred and directed the Deckers to accept the re-start ministry at Liberty Baptist Church in Camden, Ohio.

On June 1, 2007, Pastor and Mrs. Melody pulled onto the property of LBC with Michael and Felicia Ross (their son-in-law and daughter and their 3 children) to begin the task of building Liberty Baptist Church. At that time, the church had 4 members and an average attendance of 6-7. God has marvelously provided the resources to keep the church going and is beginning to grow our church family. We have great goals for the ministry of LBC and a great God who has kept the church alive. Why not come visit and see what God has in store?

Pastor and Mrs. Melody were married on April 1, 1980. They have 3 children and 10 grandchildren. All of their children are actively involved in the ministry.