FEFC Staff



*Click on staff names to the right to find out more.

What do you do for FEFC?
I've been the senior pastor here at Faith since '88.  I try to live out Eugene Peterson's job description of a pastor:  preaching, praying, and talking with people.  It's a real privilege for me to spend time studying and communicating the Word.  I spend considerable time each week with other members of the church staff, our elders, and other ministry leaders.  One of my joys here at Faith is the small group which Brenda and I host in our home.  

What about your family?
Brenda, the "wife of my youth," is the most patient and consistent person I know. She establishes a calm, inviting atmosphere in our home.  Among other things, she is incredibly gifted in hospitality.  Brenda grew up in Wichita, went to KU, and found me at a summer camp in Mississippi in 1981.  We got married in 1983.  She currently works in the office of Cornerstone Family Counseling Center.  All three of our children were born here in Manhattan: Charissa, Rose, and Riley.  

What brought you to Manhattan?
FEFC was looking for its first pastor as I was graduating from seminary (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School).  In July of '88 Brenda and I moved to Manhattan so that I could be a FEFC's church planting pastor.

Hobbies?
My main hobby is woodworking.  Before the summer of 2006 I hadn't made anything that wasn't square.  That's when I was able to take a week-long class on making Windsor chairs.   I came home with a Windsor chair and the skills to make others.  I can't explain it completely, but I find great joy in working with wood. Also, I play a little basketball in between injuries.

What is your favorite quote?
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle."  Philo

Where are you from originally?
Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

What do you do for FEFC?
I’ve served as the pastor of equipping here at Faith since 2000. My main passion for the church is to help it reach its full Kingdom potential by helping each person understand and utilize his or her spiritual gifting and place in the body of Christ. Paul speaks of how the church builds itself up as each member does its part. That’s my desire – to help each person serve in a meaningful way in the role that God has created for them.

Tell me a little about your family
I met my beautiful wife, Cindy, in San Diego in the summer of 1984 on a mission project. It was completely a God thing that a boy from Nebraska met a girl from South Carolina in California. We were married in 1986. For the first 14 years of our marriage, we worked with the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ at Kansas State. Cindy works part-time as a preschool teacher. We have four great kids - Drew, Philip, Maddie and Sam. They keep our life full and busy.

Any hobbies/interests?
Hobbies?  Humm.  I probably need some.  I like to play basketball and bike when I can.  I love watching sports, especially college football. 

What is your favorite TV Show and/or book?
I love “24".  Book? Anything about WWII.

Favorite place to eat?
Jack Stack Barbeque just south of Kansas City in Martin City. I love their burnt ends. Locally, I like Texas Star.

Where are you from?
I grew up on a farm in south-central Nebraska by a little town named, Funk.  Have you heard of it?

Favorite sports team?
I grew up in Nebraska, so Husker football still runs in my veins. It always has and always will even after 5-7 seasons.

What do you do for FEFC?
I serve Faith’s community, specifically the youth and their families by teaching God’s word and leading them into faithful service to our Lord Jesus Christ.

What about your family
Alison and I have been married since December 28th 2002. We met while serving on a year-long mission trip with Youth Encounter after we had both finished college. Alison grew up in the great St. Louis while I was roaming the northern Midwest. We have been blessed with twin sons, Caleb and Joshua, as of June 16th 2008.

Any hobbies?
I enjoy playing a variety of games including Disc Golf, Risk, Star Wars Battle Front, and Peek-A-Boo. I enjoy spending time with my family and playing with my dogs, Shiloh (Yellow Lab) and Kaiya (Siberian Husky). I also enjoy drawing, sculpting, and painting when I get the time, though I have yet to produce any masterpieces. There are more of course but these are perhaps my favorites.

Influential books?
It often goes without saying but just let me say, the Bible with all of its sixty six books has profoundly influenced me in indescribably great and good ways and I count on it continuing to do so. I have also been greatly influenced by such authors as Miroslav Volf, Ravi Zacharias, Ted Dekker, and Philip Yancey just to name a few.

Movies?
Influential movies would include: To End All Wars, The Mission, Deep Impact, and The Gospel of John. Favorites would include: Anything Superman, Lord of the Rings, Anything Superhero, and of course the Star Wars Six.

Favorite Restaurant?
Chipotle, Panera Bread, Lone Star, and Olive Garden.

Where are you originally from?
I was Born in Rockford Illinois, I moved to Norfolk Virginia at age 2-3 then to Alverado Minnesota in 1st grade then to Davenport Iowa in 4th grade then to Stevens Point Wisconsin in 8th grade then to Hammond Wisconsin in 11th grade. I went to college in St. Paul Minnesota then I traveled for a year mainly in the Northwest United States and four months in Taiwan. I was married in St. Louis Missouri and then moved to Baraboo Wisconsin to serve as a Youth Pastor for 2 years. I attended Seminary in Chicago Illinois and am now residing here in Manhattan Kansas, the Little Apple!

What do you do for FEFC?
My actual job has me working with the greatest students around. I oversee just about everything that happens between ages 0 and 12. I am very fortunate to have the chance to learn from and challenge the students I work with. In my volunteer time, I am the tech guy. From web site to video to fixing all the PCs in the building I am the computer nerd.

What about your family?
I was married in 2003 to my wife Amy, whose discernment of God’s will still amazes me. While I was convinced she was the one it was a year before we started dating and without that year of growth we might not have made it. She is the conduit for much of God’s grace in my life. Together we attempt to keep our labrador, Abbey, from destroying everything we own!

Hobbies?
Some might say I am a bit of a Macvangelist. As of now I am the only one in the building who works on Macs, but the rest of the staff have already conceded and are ready to switch away from their Windows days. From my Mac I maintain 8 Talents, my personal blog and do a variety of other projects. Spending time backpacking in the Rockies with Amy is another passion of mine, sometimes I just like to unplug.

Favorite book?
Skipping the obvious answer, the Bible, Too Small to Ignore, by: Dr. Wess Stafford has had a profound affect on how I view Children’s ministry. It is worth the read for anyone!

Where are you from?
Moran, KS

What brought you to Manhattan?
Kansas State University brought me here. I am one of the few people who can say that I have been a Wildcat all my life. From a Marmaton Valley Wildcat in Kindergarten all the way until I graduated college at Kansas State.

What do you do for FEFC?
I am the Administrative Assistant.  So that means, I do a variety of things in the church office.  My favorite task is paying the bills!

Tell me a little about your family?
I have a wonderful husband Gerard.  We have been married since 1983.  Gerard and I grew up in Alameda, California, went to the same church, and are first generation Americans.  Our parents immigrated from the Netherlands.  We have two children Nathan and Matthew.

What is your favorite book and movie?
I don't have a favorite book, but my favorite author is Karen Kingsbury.  My favorite movie is the latest edition of Sabrina.

Favorite restaurant?
My favorite place to eat is Applebee's!  I love the smothered chicken and mashed potatoes!  I also have a few other favorites like the chicken fajita rollups and one of their Mexican type salads.

Where are you from?
Alameda, California

What brought you to Manhattan?
We moved to the Midwest when Gerard started working on his Ph.D. at Iowa State.  We decided the Midwest was a great place for our children to grow up in.  So when Gerard got the job offer at Kansas State University we were really excited to move to Manhattan.

What are some of the highlights of your week?
Taking the Tuesday and Thursday evening kickboxing classes at the gym.

What do you do for FEFC?
I am the custodian, so I keep the church clean and set up for various events. I also am heavily involved in making sure all of the church supplies are fully stocked from children’s snacks to maintenance supplies. I also work extensively with the children’s ministry’s curriculum and youth trip administration.

What about your family?
My husband, Ray works at Authflorence.  We've been married since 1984.  We have been blessed with two children Cherrine and Charles.

Hobbies?
I enjoy K-State Women's Basketball and Volunteering at Manhattan High School in the Drama Department

What is your favorite movie and TV Show?
My favorite movie is Pretty Woman and TV show is "Extreme" Home Makeover.

Where are you from?
I was born in Wichita, KS, grew up in Atchison, KS. I'm a good old Kansas Girl.

What brought you to Manhattan?
Ray was with the military and was assigned to Fort Riley in 1993.  We enjoyed Manhattan so much we decided to leave the military and stay.

What does a typical evening look like for you?
I am either volunteering at MHS or spending time at home with my dog Sadie.  That's because everyone else in the house works evenings!