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, FC Dallas, the Houston Astros & Rockets, K-State sports, meeting weird people and all sorts of food, but mostly Mexican food.

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. 

Pastor Jeremy Fritz

Jeremy was born in Manhattan and grew up in Wamego, and met Bailey (who grew up in Westmoreland) through his family’s small group. Bailey is the smart one in the family with her DVM and PhD from K-State. Jeremy did his undergrad in Personal Financial Planning at K-State and went on to get his M.Div from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. They have one daughter, Andreia. Jeremy enjoys reading, baseball, being outside, Nebraska sports, 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 have nominates and training will begin soon.

AREA LEADERS

Nursery
Annie Renz heads up our Nursery ministry

5th Sunday Potlucks
Brookelyn Fernelius & Felecia Keister plan great events for us

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

Sound
Ben Wilhelm

Community Groups Leadership
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Children’s Worship Training
Madilynn Allen

VBS (Vacation Bible School)
Madilynn Allen

Music Ministry
Emily & Adam Thiesen 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
Jeremy Fritz

Women’s Ministry & Events
Peggy Kothmann

Men’s Ministry & Events
Jeremy Fritz

Bridal & Baby Showers
Peggy Kothmann & Bailey Fritz

Landscape Care
Graham Rose & Todd Crane

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 or Jeremy know.