Pastor Ken is a life-long Methodist who experienced his calling into ministry toward the end of a successful 25 year career in the residential remodeling industry. Starting as a laborer, he worked up the ladder to Project Manager and Construction manager in several of the Kansas City area’s leading remodeling firms. These positions gave Pastor Ken considerable experience in working alongside many different sorts of people, from laborers, fellow crew members and subcontractors, to architects, engineers, designers, and clients in some of Kansas City’s most exclusive homes. Years of experience in working together with folks from so many different walks of life has helped Pastor Ken connect with a wide diversity of folks in his ministry.
Although Pastor Ken has been a Kansan for the last 46 years, he grew up and graduated from High School in rural upstate New York. With an ambition to become a horse vet, he left home to study at Kansas State University (Go Cats!), but when he discovered veterinary medicine wasn’t for him, he left school after a couple of years, got married, and spent the next 25 years in construction. Toward the end of those years, Ken began to get more and more involved in a nearby United Methodist Church, serving on numerous committees, and leading adult Discipleship groups. It was this latter where he began hearing God’s call on his life, and Ken began the process of resuming his education and heading toward seminary.
Pastor Ken completed his undergraduate degree at MidAmerica Nazarene University with a degree in Management and Human Relations, and immediately upon graduating, entered into Saint Paul School of Theology, where he studied for five years, graduating in 2006 with a Master of Divinity degree. Completing the candidacy process, Pastor Ken received his ordination in June of 2009.
As Pastor Ken was completing his seminary education, he first pastored a two-point charge – Grinter Chapel and Edwardsville UMCs, both in Kansas City, KS, and upon completing his studies, began full-time pastoral ministry leading the Lecompton United Methodist Church, near Lawrence. After serving 4 ½ years there, a pastoral vacancy occurred at the Eureka United Methodist Church, where Ken has served for the last 7 ½ years, leading much healing and health. All-in-all, Pastor Ken has served for a total of fifteen years and has experienced much joy in his ministry.
Pastor Ken remains married to his college sweetheart, Donna, and is nearing his 42nd anniversary with her. Donna is a licensed Nurse Practitioner with her Master of Nursing degree and lives in their home in Overland Park. She works at the University of Kansas Medical Center in nearby Kansas City, KS, and is just celebrating 40 years there. Ken and Donna have two outstanding daughters, Kelly and Ashley, both of whom are getting married this year, for which weddings their Preacher Dad will preside. He and Donna will be welcoming Nathan Johnson and Chase Ginardi, the girls’ fiancés, into their family.
Being appointed to serve Paola United Methodist Church is something for which Pastor Ken feels strongly called. When our D.S., David Watson, called Ken to tell him that he would be appointed here, Ken just about did cartwheels across the floor in his excitement. He has been aware of Paola for years, loves the smaller town atmosphere, and is super excited to become part of the Paola Community, and Paola UMC.