The Neighbors
Our Calling
After 14+ years of full-time pastoral ministry serving the church in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Ohio, God has given us a passion and desire to revitalize and restore churches to new health and impact for God’s Kingdom! Over the past 2 years, God has been working in our hearts to develop a passion for small churches that are declining, have lost their impact for Christ in their community, and are in need of help to revitalize and change to move forward for Jesus. We believe God has been preparing us step by step over the years for this type of ministry, and he wants us to step out in faith to help small churches in this way in Kansas City, MO. This is a step of faith for our family as we seek to follow God’s leading, and we would love to have you need support as we start this adventure. If you’d like to know more about how you can support us in this ministry, please sign up for our newsletter! You can also click the SUPPORT to consider supporting us financially in this new adventure.
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Fill out the form below to join our support team and receive regular updates about our ministry and how you can be praying with us!
All contact information will be kept confidential and private.
Why Kansas City?
Life in Kansas City is a vibrant blend of Midwestern charm and urban excitement, with a population of over 2 million people residing in the greater Kansas City area. From enjoying iconic barbecue joints that have put Kansas City on the culinary map to catching a game at one of the city's renowned sports stadiums, there is a lot to love about this beautiful city at the heart of the nation. Still, amidst the growing economy and diverse neighborhoods, there is a great need to reach Kansas City for Jesus as once vibrant, growing churches are declining and dying, losing their impact on this wonderful community for Christ.
My wife grew up in Blue Springs, MO, an eastern suburb of Kansas City, and over the years we have developed a love for the area and the people. As we’ve pursued a ministry to small, declining churches through replanting over the last year, God began to open doors for our family to head back to the Kansas City area as churches in need began to reach out for help. With our focus and attention on Kansas City, we realized that Baptist churches are struggling and have experienced a noticeable decline in recent years. In 2012, there were approximately 250 Baptist churches, but by 2022, that number had fallen to around 200. This represents a staggering 20% decline in just ten years. According to data from the Kansas City Baptist Association, the number of active members has decreased by an estimated 15% since 2013 with churches shutting their doors permanently due to financial difficulties, aging membership, and a dwindling congregation. As a result, there is a great need for replanting and revitalization of congregations in this area to help them purposefully impact their community with the gospel. We recognize this need and believe God is leading us to step out in faith by partnering with Calvary Family of Churches and the Send Network to help revitalize churches in the Kansas City Area.
Our Family
Over the last year and a half, we’ve been working with Calvary Family of Churches and The Send Network to receive training, support, and accountability as we step out in faith on this new adventure. Having gone through Calvary’s year-long revitalization and replanting training as well as being assessed and endorsed for ministry by The Send Network, we felt God pulling us towards stepping out in faith with the Calvary Family of Churches as a lead pastor in a replant work in Kansas City. Starting as a replant and revitalization themselves, Calvary has revitalized, planted, and replanted 30 churches over the years as they seek to see Jesus made non-ignorable in Denver and to the ends of the earth. Within the past few years, they have expanded to impact churches and congregations in 6 different states as churches in various stages of decline call on their organization for help and direction so that their congregation does not cease to exist. It is with this vision and experience as a ministry that we desire to align ourselves as we step out in faith in our new ministry of replanting and revitalization.
Support Needed
In order for our family to step out in faith to pursue replanting and revitalization in Kansas City, we are trusting the Lord to provide for our needs. In the last month we have put our house up for sale, and are taking a giant leap as we head to Missouri. We are looking for God to provide housing, jobs, health insurance, and a church in need of help! If you are interested in becoming part of our supporting family, here are a few ways that you can help.
PRAYER SUPPORT - We need God’s help more than anything, and the greatest work is done on our knees! Sign up for our newsletter below, and you will be updated regularly about how you can pray.
FINANCIALLY SUPPORT - The Send Network will support us 20-30% once we find a church, and our replant church may be able to support us partially as well, but we are stepping out as missionaries with the majority of our support coming from churches and individuals. If you would like to support us monthly or with a one-time gift, we would be appreciative. Simply click the SUPPORT button below to find out more.
HANDS-ON SUPPORT - In order to do this important work, we need to build relationships with churches and individuals that can lend a hand once we arrive at our new church. We need people willing to team up and get to work helping us revitalize our church and the Kansas City area. If you are interested in learning more, don't hesitate to contact us here to find out more!
Subscribe To Our Newsletter!
Fill out the form below to join our support team and receive regular updates about our ministry and how you can be praying with us!
All contact information will be kept confidential and private.
