Elders
The New Testament model for church leadership shows each local congregation being led, whenever possible, by a group of men who have demonstrated spiritual leadership abilities. Their lives of Christian service have earned them the esteem of the congregation, and they have shown that they have the qualities required by Scripture for church overseers (1 Timothy 3:1-7 & Titus 1:5-9).
They are called elders, because they are respected as men of spiritual maturity. They are called overseers, because they are entrusted with the spiritual oversight of the congregation. They are called shepherds, because they feed and protect the spiritual flock entrusted to their care (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-3).
Elder
Gary Boyle
Gary was born and raised in Marion, KS, and has been a lifelong attendee of the church. He and Paula met at York College in York, NE, and were married in 1979. They have four children and seven grandchildren: Erica ( Avaree and Emersyn), Adam (Lindsey, Camryn, Audrey, and Isaiah), Meghan (Marty, Ciaran, and Adalynn), and Michael (Marisha). Gary’s career has included David’s Stores of Wichita, KS (1979 – 1982), Gibson Discount Centers (1982 – 1996), and Alco Stores (1996…
Elder
Terry Duffy
Terry was born in Nebraska City, Nebraska, and educated there within the Catholic school system through High School. He entered the Navy in 1969, serving over a year in the Vietnam conflict. Shortly after the military, he was taught and convicted that New Testament Christianity through the Scriptures was the path that he’d give his life to. He was baptized in West Monroe, Louisiana on Jan 23, 1974. In February of 1975, he began a 2-year intensive study of the…
Elder
Dennis Higgins
Dennis grew up in Michigan prior to attending Freed Hardeman University where he graduated with a degree in Bible in 1978. He and Carolyn were married in 1981. They moved to Lenexa, Kansas, in 1987 when Dennis started a blind and shade business that he still operates. Carolyn is a retired registerednurse. Carolyn & Dennis have three married children: Allison andhusband Tyler Murphy, Melissa and husband Ryan Bennink, son Bradford (1985-2014), and daughter-in-law Brittany. Allison, Tyler, Melissa, and Ryan are…
Elder
Ken Steggerda
Ken was born in December 1967 and grew up in Holland Michigan. He enlisted in the Marines in 1986 and retired in 2007. Ken was baptized into Christ on May 19, 1993. Ken met Michelle (Missy) and they were married in 1994. Ken graduated with a bachelor degree in History in 2006. He is currently working as a contractor for the federal government in the security field. Ken and Missy have attended the 151st Street Church of Christ since 2010. He…
Elder
Jeff Sullivan
Jeff grew up in St. Charles, Mo, and met Rebecca while bothwere attending Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University), in Kirksville, MO. Rebecca grew up inFairfield, Iowa. Jeff was baptized into Christ, in 1982, whilestill in college. He had been raised in the Methodist Church. Rebecca & Jeff were married in 1984, and have two daughters.Elise is a graduate of Freed-Hardeman University and has completed her doctorate in chemistry at the University of Memphis. She currently teaches chemistry…
Elder
Bruce Vantine
Bruce grew up in northwest Arkansas. He met Julie while attending Harding University and they were married in 1979. They have three children and three grandchildren who all live in the Kansas City area. After graduating from Harding, Bruce worked at public accounting firms in Little Rock, AR, and Baton Rouge, LA, (1979-1997); as controller at a renewable energy start-up company (1998-2010); and as CFO and corporate Secretary/Treasurer of Ace Pipe Cleaning, Inc. (2010-2025). Bruce has served as a deacon…
Elder
Richard Wolfe
Richard Wolfe has been preaching God’s word since 1970. He is a graduate of Harding University with a degree in Music Education. Richard and Jade were married in 1970, and have two sons and nine grandchildren. They served as missionaries in French-speaking Europe, living in Belgium, for 22 years before returning to the United States in 1993. While working with a congregation in Liege, Belgium, Richard co-edited a hymnal for French-speaking churches of Christ. He is also the author of…