Ruby Brower, Layperson, Manhattan FCC
Position: Moderator
I am a native Kansan, who grew up in Benton, a Wichita suburb, moved to Manhattan to attend Kansas State University, and never left. As a medical laboratory scientist, I served as the director of a hospital laboratory and eventually worked in the regulatory aspects of the laboratory, traveling the state inspecting laboratories.
My husband, Garry, was a professor and faculty advisor to the rodeo team at Fort Hays State University for many years. My family also included two sons, Doug and Justin. Justin and his wife Kathy, are the parents of two beautiful granddaughters, residing in Manhattan. I have been a widow for ten years, and I lost my older son five years ago.
A life-long member of the Christian Church (DOC), I have served my church, FCC Manhattan, as a deacon, elder, and coordinating council chair. After completing a two-year term as the Moderator-Elect of the Christian Church in Kansas, I am the current Moderator. As one of the CCK representatives to the Tri-Regional Partnership Initiative, I participated in the “Lead for Change” workshop at the Kansas Leadership Center this past summer. As Moderator, I look forward to continuing to collaborate with the leadership in the Nebraska and Kansas City Regions to find ways to implement adaptive leadership skills within our regions and congregations.
Though retired from full-time employment, I work part-time as a private laboratory consultant. My free time includes volunteering, church, 4-H, and professional organizations. I especially appreciate spending time with my granddaughters and always enjoy reading good books.
David Dubovich, Pastor, Hutchinson Park Place CC
Position: Moderator-Elect
I grew up in a small community about 50 miles south of Pittsburgh, Pa. The street we lived on there were about eight houses. My mother’s parents lived on the same street, so it was convenient to see our grandparents on a regular basis.
I am the oldest of three. My brother lives in Pennsylvania working as an Assistant Manager at Walgreen’s. My sister is a family practice doctor in Westminster, Md. My mother still lives in Republic, Pa., working part-time as the church secretary at the church I grew up in. My wife and I live in Hutchinson where I serve Park Place Christian Church and my wife (Cindy) is a hospice chaplain for Reno County Hospice as well as serving First Christian Church in Stafford, Kan.
When I have time, I like to work with ceramics and painting various items. This was one of the many hobbies my grandmother had, and she taught me various techniques to make creative items. My other hobby is computers. I was always fascinated with computers early in my childhood years playing computer games of course.
After obtaining my associate degree from ICM School of Business, Pittsburgh, Pa., I moved to Fairfax, Va., to work for Boeing Computer Services in the computer operations department. I began to attend a DOC congregation which was heavily involved in mission work. I participated with a group from the church along with another congregation and participated in a mission trip to Kingston, Jamaica. During that two weeks trip, we did some amazing work for the community and the children. The impact of the trip stirred emotions inside of me to pursue my life further to serve and help others and sensed a call to pastoral ministry.
When I think about setting goals for a group, I refer to the organization’s mission and vision statement and how can I add my experience, ideas, etc. to make an impact. When I think of the region’s mission statement, “Together – we connect and equip,” as Moderator Elect, my goal is to work side by side with the other elected officers of the region along with the Regional staff, visioning how we can provide opportunities to connect and equip our pastors and laity. I have received much training through the Kansas Leadership Center, and I see this as a goal to help educate church leaders within our region to think of ministry through a different perspective.
Cal Williams, Layperson, Salina FCC
Position: First-Vice Moderator
I was born in Florida, my father was a career Air Force officer, so we moved around and as a child I lived in places like Florida, Newfoundland Canada, and California. After dad retired, we moved to Abilene, where my folks raised Greyhounds.
I was drafted in 1969 and spent two years in the Army. I married my wife Diane in 1969 and, after the army, worked for a few years before finishing college at Emporia and attending Washburn Law School graduating in 1978. I practiced law for 15 years in eastern Kansas and then 23 years in Colby.
We have four married daughters, 12 grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren. Diane worked for me and then taught business at the Vo-Tech in Goodland before teaching in the business department at Colby Community College. We are both retired and now live in Salina close to three of the daughters and grandkids.
After close to 40 years practicing law, I now enjoy being able to be outside and work with my hands. I have a shop at home and am a trustee at Salina First Christian Church. Otherwise, I read and listen to books and have, to my families chagrin, what I call “Cal’s world famous collection of old rock and roll.”
Something I have learned is that I can’t wait to be told what to do, which I have been guilty of. It is up to me to take the initiative, set deadlines, and adhere to the duties set out in the constitution, by-laws, and calendar for this Board’s term. If the Board approves, I would like to work with a few ideas identified in the first half of the Vision Project. It just seems to me that as Disciples we have great and ambitious ideas for the future, but we aren’t always so good at implementation and follow up.
Randall Hill, Pastor, Smith Center FCC
Position: Second-Vice Moderator
I was born in, and grew up in, Wewoka, Okla., where I was nurtured into, and was baptized in, First Christian Church. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Ethics and Religious Studies (1974) from the University of Oklahoma, and my Master of Divinity degree (1977) from Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University.
My wife, Susan, and I married in July 1987 at Southern Hills Christian Church in Edmond, Okla.. We have two daughters, La Dina and Amber, and five granddaughters, Kayla, Jenna, Leah, Jade, and Desja. Leah is attending the University of Central Oklahoma and is pursuing a degree in counseling. Jenna attends Northwestern State University in Alva, Okla., and trains quarter horses.
I am currently serving in our local Lions’ Club which keeps me involved in local fundraising and service projects in our community. I have enjoyed researching my family’s genealogy and may one day write a book to share the information I have collected over the years. I love to spend time traveling to ancient sites like Mesa Verde and researching the geological and historical aspects of those sites.
My ministerial call began as a youth and has continued through thirty years of lay ministry, choir, and theological study. My experience in various congregations across Texas and Oklahoma set the stage for my current pastoral ministry as an extension of my lifetime involvement in various aspects of administration, teaching, and service.
My goal is to assist in meeting the team goals of our new Moderator in the coming year, helping wherever my skills and service are needed across the region.
Lisa West, Layperson, Wichita Riverside CC
Position: Third-Vice Moderator
I was born and raised in Larned and attended Larned First Christian Church. I started my camp experiences at Camp WaJaTo and transitioned to Camp Christian Hills. There I met my future husband, Lee West. I served one year as President of Central District Youth and on the KCYF Cabinet.
I completed my Bachelor of Music Education degree at the University of Central Oklahoma. After graduation, Lee and I moved to Denver for a year before moving to Shawnee. Both our daughter, Ruth, and son, Ray, were born there.
I completed my Master of Music in Conducting degree at Kansas State University. Eventually, I transitioned to elementary music and we moved to Hutchinson. We attended Park Place for 10 years and I worked as the Director of Music for almost 5 of those years.
After Lee took a job at Spirit AeroSystems, we moved to Wichita, joined Riverside Christian Church, and I began teaching elementary music in Wichita.
Since that time we have experienced a crazy “excremental journey,” to borrow a phrase from Debby Martin, with our daughter Ruth. We are coming out the other side with renewed hope. I credit most of that success to our dedication to being part of our church families and working to make our part of the world a bit more Heaven-like.