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Kansas Disciples of Christ

Kansas Disciples of Christ

Together We Connect and Equip

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Staff

The Christian Church in Kansas (Disciple of Christ) is co-led by regional ministers Rev. Ken Marston and Rev. Tom Stanley. The region is also seeking to call a Regional Minister of New Church Ministry to work collaboratively. (See job posting for details.)

They share this ministry, broadly dividing responsibilities listed below by working together in partnership along with a team of specialized support ministry positions. They operate out of three offices:

Topeka Regional Office (Business Office)
2914 SW MacVicar Ave
Topeka, KS 66611
785.266.2914

C/HP Regional Office
(Clergy Care Office)
5230 Broadway Ave
Great Bend, KS 67530
620.792.6490

Disciples Center at Tawakoni & South Central Office
(Communications Office)
8492 SW Tawakoni Rd
Augusta, KS 67010
316.775.1236 (Communications)
316.7751222 (Tawakoni)


Executive Staff:

Rev. Tom Stanley, Co-Regional Minister and President
Since August 2022
Regional Business Office, Topeka
Email Tom

Tom provides pastoral care, search and call support, and congregational support to the Northeast, Southeast, and South Central Districts.  He meets regularly with the Kansas Bible Chair Grant Committee and the regional Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Task Force. He provides oversite of regional administration, finances, communication, and youth and camp ministries. He works in partnership with Ken to develop New Church ministries and distribute Disciples General Church Communication. 

Outside of work, Tom enjoys walking the dog with his wife Sandy. He loves to play video games and reads to relax.

Rev. Ken Marston, Co-Regional Minister
Since January 2008
Regional Clergy Care Office, Great Bend
Email Ken

Ken provides pastoral care, search and call support, and congregational support to the Central and High Plains Districts.  He works with clergy care ministries regarding clergy standing, ordination, commissioning, and scholarships.  He works with clergy, Disciples Men, and Spirituality retreat planning teams. He meets regularly with our Reconciliation Grant Committee and provides oversite for Disciples Men and Disciples Women ministries.  He works in partnership with Rev. Tom Stanley to develop New Church ministries and distribute Disciples General Church Communication. 

When he’s not working, he likes to read fantasy and science fiction books, and play games of all types (board, card, computer, outdoor, etc.). He also enjoys woodworking and doing DIY projects around the house.

Executive Secretary (Position open) — Click here to apply.


Supervisory Contract Staff:

Rev. Olivia See, Tawakoni Camp Manager
Since June 2022
Disciples Center at Tawakoni – Check out Tawakoni here.
Email Olivia

Olivia provides summer camping program oversite and oversees camp facilities management at Tawakoni.  She liaisons between the region and event coordinators who use our facilities for a variety of programs and events.  She oversees the hiring and evaluation of paid camp staff and oversees volunteer recruitment and management.

Outside of work Olivia loves being outdoors with people camping, hiking, kayaking or just sitting around talking. She also enjoys creating and building and fixing almost anything. Woodworking is a special love, and she’s always up for learning a new hobby.

Steve Hart, Communications Director
Since January 2020
Communications Office, Augusta
Email Steve

Steve advises the region on all marketing and communication efforts and supports in planning for regional events.  He provides editorial planning, copy writing, and copy-editing regional communications including the Kansas Messenger newsletter.

He oversees the archiving and preserving of regional publications.  Provides oversite and mentoring for the ongoing work of the regional communications specialist.

In free time, Steve enjoys his three grandkids as they participate in soccer, basketball and baseball leagues and tournaments, working at various leadership positions at Woodridge Christian Church, Wichita, and traveling with his wife, Wilma, as they follow Wichita State athletics.

Barb Koelling, Regional Treasurer
Since February 2020
Regional Business Office, Topeka
Email Barb

Barb oversees the region’s financials.  She reviews annual budget requests and presents budget reports to the regional board.  She liaisons between the region and Treasury Services who handles our bookkeeping.

Barb spends her after hours’ time with family and friends – especially her two grandsons, Eli and Zeke. She enjoys golf, and travel to golf destinations with her husband, Doug.


Support Staff:

Juli Reed, Administrative Assistant
Since March 2022
Clergy Care Office, Great Bend
Email Juli

Juli provides administrative support to Ken, Clergy Care ministries, Disciples Men ministries, and the congregations in the Central and High Plains Districts.  She assists the communications office editing promotional videos and updating the events calendar on the regional website.

Outside of work Juli loves gardening and has a YouTube channel called Best “Buds” Gardening.  In her spare time, she plays with her one-year-old Maltese, Gizmo, and her four-year old parrot, Mango, who knows how to kiss, wave, target, and play basketball.  

Jessica Marston, Communications Specialist
Since July 2015
Communications Office, Augusta
Email Jessica

Jessica manages all regional communications including Kansas Messenger newsletter, regional website, social media accounts, and text alerts.  She coordinates with regional ministries and event planning teams to distribute event promotional materials.  She liaisons with the Disciples General Church communications office to distribute communications. 

She provides administrative support to Tom, youth and camp ministries, and the congregations in the South-Central Districts.  As the need arises, she coordinates the design and purchase of regional logo merchandise.

Jessica is active in her home church, Woodridge Christian Church, Wichita, and enjoys reading urban fantasy books, traveling, and taking nature photographs.  She is a fur mom of a King Charles Cavalier named Maddie.


Ministry Specific Contract Staff:

Rev. Luis A. Mendez, Disciples Men Coordinator
Since September 2020
Email Luis

Luis coordinates regional Disciples Men retreats and special events with the focus of connecting and equipping Disciples Men for ministry.  He liaisons with Disciples Men ministries of the General Church and assists with distributing communications. 

With the help of the Disciples Men Cabinet, he mentors established and the creation of congregational Disciples Men programs.

Luis also serves as the pastor at North Heights Christian Church, Wichita. He devotes his spare time to swimming, movies, music and his lovely wife, Carmen. 

Carla Pearson, Disciples Women Coordinator
Since November 2019
Email Carla

Carla coordinates regional Disciples Women retreats, Spirit Fest, and special events with the focus of connecting and equipping Disciples Women for ministry.  She liaisons with Disciples Women ministries of the General Church and assists with distributing communications to women across the Kansas region. 

She works with the KDW cabinet to create opportunities for women to be a part of Disciples Women programs and activities.

When not busy with Disciples Women she enjoys sewing quilts, baking, gardening, and enjoying life’s journey with her husband, Floyd.

Rev. Travis Smith McKee, Disciples Youth Coordinator
Since August 2021
Email Travis

Travis oversees the Disciples Youth Cabinet in the planning of regional Disciples Youth retreats, Youth convention, Mission Week and other special events with the focus of connecting and equipping Disciples Youth for ministry. 

He liaisons with Disciples Youth ministries of the General Church and assists with distributing communications.

Travis also serves as the interim pastor at Galva Christian Church.  Outside of work, Travis enjoys spending time with his family, playing music, and disc golf.

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Recent Posts

  • Apply to be a Summer Intern
  • Spring KBC Grant Applications Due Soon
  • Remember to Register for KDW Spirit Fest 2023
  • Early Bird Registration Ends Soon
  • Kansas Disciples Do Amazing Ministry
  • February KS Church Mission Feature
  • Reconciliation Grant Applications Due Soon
  • Church Branding 101
  • Clearwater FCC Celebrates Laity Week with Dinner
  • Peace Interns
Text Alerts

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Events:

Art of Church Communication Workshops
Stay tuned for future dates

KDW Spirit Fest
April 22 & May 6

Summer Church Camp
Learn more

DCE –  Regional Gathering
Stay tuned for 2023 date information

KS Disciples Men – Fall Retreat
September 23-24
Registration opens in late June

KS Disciples Women – Fall Retreats
October 4-6 & October 6-8
Registration opens in July

Tawakoni Gala & Auctions
Stay tuned for our next event
Make an online donation

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Christian Church in Kansas Regional Office

2914 SW MacVicar Ave.
Topeka, KS 66611-1787
785-266-2914
785-266-0174 fax
[email protected]
8:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday

South Central Satellite Office

Communications Office
8492 SW Tawakoni Rd.
Augusta, KS 67010-8111
316-775-1236
316-775-1455 fax
[email protected]

9:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Monday – Thursday

Friday – By appointment only

Central/High Plains Satellite Office

5230 Broadway Ave.
Great Bend, KS 67530-3208
620-792-6490
620-792-1268 fax
[email protected]
8:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Thursday
Closed Friday

Disciples Center at Tawakoni

8492 SW Tawakoni Rd.
Augusta, KS 67010-8111
316-775-1222
[email protected]

Call for appointment and office hours.

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