Leadership

Elders & Deacons

Manhattan Pres functions under the Presbyterian form of church government. The Congregation elects Elders and Deacons to serve as the officers of the church.

Elders (known as ruling elders) along with the pastors (called teaching elders) are responsible for the church's governance and spiritual oversight. The elders primary tasks are the pastoral care of the congregation and the fiduciary duties on behalf of the congregation to ensure the mission of the church is being executed according to the vision and values of the church.

The Heartland Presbytery provided us with Temporary Elders when we were a Mission Church from August 2013 to November 2016. Today we have four men who serve as Elders of Manhattan Presbyterian Church, God willing those numbers will increase in the future. 

Pastor BRian HougH

Brian and his wife Laura grew up in Houston, Texas and both graduated from Texas A&M University (Brian- Philosophy, Laura - Journalism). They have lived in Kansas since 2006 and absolutely love it here. They have three children, Beckham, SadiePiper and Berkley. Brian has his M.Div from Westminster Theological Seminary. He enjoys bicycling, photography, wiffleball, reading, Zelda, The Houston Astros & Rockets, K-State sports, meeting weird people and all sorts of food, but mostly Mexican food. They keep at Family Blog at Houghies.com

Elder Ryan Cyr

Ryan grew up near Clay Center (40 miles NW of Manhattan). He graduated from K-State and went to Westminster Seminary California before returning home where he met Nicola, the woman who become his wife at Manhattan Pres. Today he’s involved in farming, while Nicola manages Advisors Services & Investments at Garrrett Investment Advisors. They have two children Ezra and Evangeline.

Elder Timothy DurretT

Tim was born in Zimbabwe (Africa) and sports a British accent. He and Christine met while at Harvard and eventually found themselves in Manhattan, Kansas. Tim is a Biochemistry Professor at Kansas State University and Christine runs her own Neuropsychology practice and plays viola with the Manhattan Pres musicians. They have four children George, Helen, Thomas and Peter all of whom are avid Star Wars fans.

Elder Travis ShanahaN

Travis and his family moved from Olathe to Manhattan in 2013 to help plant Manhattan Pres. Travis is the chairman of the church planting committee in the Heartland Presbytery and does something with computers that none of us understand. His wife Amy grew up in New England while Travis is from Paola, Kansas. They have four children, Chloe, Ethan, Jackson and Isaac. Travis enjoys Chicago Cubs baseball, K-State Football and smoking meats. 

Deacons

The deacons provide tangible help to members and regular attenders in times of need. The deacons come alongside members and regular attenders to assist with needs like encouragement and prayer, budgeting and financial coaching, helping widows and elderly, financial relief and other ministries of mercy and help along with overseeing any physical property a church has. We do not currently have any deacons, but hope the Lord will provide those to serve in this office someday in the future.

Pastoral Intern: Jeremy Fritz

Jeremy is an M.Div student on the Church Planting track at Covenant Seminary. He’s also Under Care of the Heartland Presbytery. As part of his training he’s serving at Manhattan Pres as a Pastoral Intern. This includes leading Youth Bible Study, occasional preaching, administration and all sort of ministry experience.

AREA LEADERS (IN PROGRESS)

Nursery
Amanda Braun heads up our Nursery ministry.

5th Sunday Potlucks
Brookelyn Fernelius & Felecia Keister

Scheduling
Corri Frigon coordinates everyone who volunteers and makes sure they get reminders and such.

Children’s Worship Training
Laura Hough

Music Ministry
Emily & Adam Thiessen head up our music ministry. We’re always looking for individuals who can play piano, guitar, box drum, violin or just about any other instrument as well as those who can help lead the congregation in singing.

Youth Ministry
Our esteemed Pastoral Intern, Jeremy Fritz leads are youth Bible Study and Ande Flagg organizing fellowship events.

Women’s Ministry & Events
Peggy Kothmann

Men’s Ministry & Events
In practice, Peggy organizers most of our Men’s fellowship events, any of you guys want to lead this, let us know.

Baby Showers
Nicola Cyr & Emily Thiesen

Grassroots Events
If you’ve got a fun outing or activity you’d like to organize and invite Men, Women, youth, children or everyone to let Brian know.