Original Elders (2013-2016)

These were our leaders while we were still a Mission Church.

In the PCA there are two basic designations for churches.

A Particularized Church is an established church with at least one Teaching Elder & two Ruling Elders.

A Church Plant is officially called a "Mission Church." This is a gathering of people, with a pastor, who desire to be a particularized Church, but have not yet reached that point. We have set up a temporary leadership committee through the Heartland Presbytery to function as our Elders/Session.

When we, God willing, particularize we will have 100% local leadership from within the congregation. The names below are Elders from other Kansas churches who have agreed at our request to serve on our commission (temporary Elders/Session). These men are giving of their time to visit and encourage us all, they have committed to pray for us and share their Godly wisdom and we are thankful for their service.  Below is a little more info about each of these men.

Steve Baker (Redeemer PCA in Overland Park, Kansas)

Steve and Jan both grew up in St. Louis in Christian (somewhat crazy) homes. They were married the summer before his senior year at Southeast Missouri State University. The two have lived in St. Louis, Philadelphia and Tupelo, MS before moving to KC 29 years ago. They have three married children and six wonderful grandchildren. Both love to read, listen to music of all kinds and eat good food. They are always ready for a road trip.

Jim Baxter (New Hope in Olathe, Kansas)

Jim is the Senior Pastor at New Hope Presbyterian Church. He attended seminary at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. Jim and his wife, Wendy, have four children, three of which attended or are attending college at K-State in Manhattan.

Scott Creecy (Redeemer PCA in Overland Park, Kansas)

Scott [left side of photo] went to college at Texas A&M University and is an Ruling Elder at Redeemer. Scott and his wife Carmen have two adult children, one of which attended K-State. Scott enjoys hunting, Dallas Cowboys & Texas A&M Aggie Football.

Rick Franks (Heartland Community Church in Wichita, Kansas)

Rick was born and raised in Columbia City, IN. After years in the banking industry he felt God's call to vocational ministry. He attended seminary at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. Rick and his wife, Robbie, have seven children. He is currently a Teaching Elder at Heartland Community Church in Wichita, Kansas.

Brian Hough (Manhattan, Kansas)

Brian and his wife Laura grew up in Houston, Texas and both graduated from Texas A&M University. They have lived in Kansas for ten years and love it. They have three children, Beckham, Sadie Piper, and Berkley. Brian enjoys bicycling, wiffleball, tea, reading, Astros, soccer, Wildcat sports, Nascar, meeting new people and all sorts of fun foods.

Tim Rackley (Evangel in Wichita, Kansas)

Tim attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois followed by Covenant Seminary in St Louis in preparation for vocational ministry. He now serves as Associate Pastor at Evangel Presbyterian Church in Wichita, Kansas. He and his wife, Jenny, have four children. Tim is active in the running Presbytery Summer Camps (RiverRanch & Clearwater) for High School and Junior High students in Kansas.

Travis Shanahan (Manhattan, Kansas)

Travis and his family relocated with the Houghs in 2013 to help with the church planting work. Travis is the chairman for church planting in the Heartland Presbytery.  Amy grew up in New England while Travis is from Kansas. They have 4 children, Chloe, Ethan, Jackson, and Isaac. Travis enjoys Chicago Cubs baseball, K-State sports, and a wide-range of outdoor activities.

Dale Thiele (Oak Hills in Lenexa, Kansas)

Dale is the Senior Pastor at Oak Hills Presbyterian Church. He has attended Moody Bible Institute, The Bethlehem Institute (learning under John Piper), and Covenant Theological Seminary in preparation for gospel ministry. Dale and his wife, Erin have six children (five sons, one daughter).

This was November 13th 2016, the day we particularized and the day TImothy Durrett and Travis Shanahan were ordained at Manhattan Pres. Our last moments as a session.