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Leadership
Kat Hnatyshyn
Mission Center President Team
Kat Hnatyshyn, a self-sustaining minister for Community of Christ, is on the Mission Center President Team for Midlands Mission Center in the Central USA Mission Field.
Kat was pastor of her congregation for 10 years and served on the Leadership Council in the Mission Center. She currently serves on the Investment Committee with World Church and on the World Church Finance Board. She holds the priesthood office of High Priest.
Born in Wichita, Kansas, Kat received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Speech Communications and Minor in Church Leadership and Religion from Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa. Kat and her husband Alex live in Overland Park, KS with two small boys, Jack and Pete. She works as a Director for a local credit union.
Email: Kat@midlandsmc.org
Cell: 816.506.6948
Congregations: Lenexa, Manhattan, Mission Road, Olathe & Shawnee Drive
Allen Keehler
Mission Center President Team
Allen Keehler, a bi-vocational minister with Community of Christ, is a member of the Midlands Mission Center President Team in the Central USA Mission Field.
He has been actively engaged in youth ministry for more than 20 years as a congregational youth leader, camp director, pastor, and mission center youth minister. He and his wife, Tammy, currently direct the TWIST program encouraging youth to become engaged in community service. Allen has also been a strong advocate for young adult ministry and new expressions of faith within the mission center. He holds the office of High Priest.
Allen and his wife, Tammy, live in Kansas City. They enjoy time spent traveling with their three sons, appreciating the beauty of creation, and basking in the sun of tropical locals.
Email: allen.keehler@midlandsmc.org
Work: (816) 810-5690
Congregations: Excelsior Springs, Highlands, Leavenworth, Liberty & Norton Heights
Sharon Spaans
Mission Center President Team
Sharon Spaans, a self-sustaining minister for Community of Christ, is on the Mission Center President Team for Midlands Mission Center in the Central USA Mission Field.
Sharon was pastor of her congregation for 10 years and served as a financial officer. She was a member of the Midlands Mission Center Advisory Board for 3 years. Sharon holds the Priesthood office of High Priest.
Born in Wichita, Kansas, Sharon received a Bachelor of Science majoring in Business Management from Friends University. She retired from Textron Aviation where she worked many years in Cessna Sales and Marketing. Sharon has a son and a daughter, and 8 grandchildren, and loves the role of Mimi. She currently lives in Wichita, Kansas.
Email: sharon@midlandsmc.org
Work: (316) 734-0632
Congregations: El Dorado, Emporia Cell Group & Webb Road
Stan Troeh
Mission Center President Team
Stan Troeh, a bi-vocational minister with Community of Christ, is a member of the Midlands Mission Center President team in the Central USA Mission Field.
He was born in Idaho, started walking in California, and went through school in New York, Iowa and Uruguay. He has been actively engaged in congregational life throughout his life, and in mission center leadership for nearly 20 years. With passions for worship, peace and justice, education, and inclusiveness, he and his wife, Grace, have taught many Temple School courses, particularly for priesthood education, and shared in ministry throughout our mission center. He holds the office of High Priest.
Stan and Grace live in Kansas City, Kansas. They enjoy time with family (especially the new grandparent role), ministry, travel, and camping.
Email: stantroeh@gmail.com
Work: 913.522.9516
Congregations: Bethel, Bonner Springs, Holton, Lawrence, Topeka, Wellsville & University
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Jenny Lowndes
Young Adult Minister
Jenny Lowndes is a full-time minister for the Community of Christ as the Young Adult Minister for the Midlands Mission Center. She was called to the office of Priest when she was 18 and holds that Priesthood to this day.
Jenny earned a BS in Religion and Theology with a minor in Church Leadership from Graceland University. After getting a year of Campus Ministries under her belt, and another as an Admissions Counselor for GU, she returned home to Kansas City. From there she pursued several different careers, choosing to put most of her energy into playing Semi-Pro Womens Tackle Football for 8 years. Upon earning 3 All American titles as an offensive lineman, she decided to hang up her cleats and focus on her family (although her partner would gladly sit in the stands for another decade to watch her do what she loves).
Jenny and her husband Tim live in Pendleton Heights, the first and oldest suburb of Kansas City, with their two cats: Finneas Binjamine Greycat the First, and Paul. They discovered a mutual love for hiking and music early in their relationship and continue to follow these passions to the mountains and concerts, anywhere within road tripping distance.
Email: jenny.lowndes@midlandsmc.org
Laura Beckman
Youth Minister
Laura Beckman is a bi-vocational minister who holds the office of Elder and has served as a pastor for several years. She loves being involved in youth activities at her church in Olathe and has 20 years of experience in creating amazing activities.
After receiving her Bachelor's of Arts in Music Education with a Minor in Religion from Graceland University, she went on to receive a Master's of Arts in Education from University of St. Mary.
Laura works as a Kindermusik educator as well as a piano instructor, preparing youth to appreciate and play beautiful music. She lives in Olathe with her husband, Steve, and their three sons, Reece, Owen, and Brooks. As a family, they enjoy road tripping with their camper and visiting National Parks.
Email: laura.beckman@midlandsmc.org
Wim van Klinken
Mission Center Financial Officer Team
Wim van Klinken, a full-time minister, serves as Chief Information and Technology Officer at the international headquarters of Community of Christ and as a member of the Midlands Mission Center’s Financial Officer Team. He holds the priesthood office of bishop.
Wim was born and raised in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. After a career as an entrepreneur in IT, Wim started working for Community of Christ as President of the Europe Mission Center in 2004. Three years later, he, his wife, Debora, and son, Max, moved to Kansas City, MO to serve the church in the USA. Since he is also very involved in the nonprofit sector in the Greater Kansas City area.
In the Netherlands, Wim obtained degrees in Economics, Business Science, Music, Asset Management, and Business Administration. In the USA, he obtained a Masters of Art in Religion from Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa, and an Executive Masters of Public Administration from the University of Missouri - Kansas City.
Email: wvanklinken@cofchrist.org
Work: 816.521.3070
Emily Hidy
Mission Center Financial Officer Team
Emily Hidy, a self-sustaining minister for Community of Christ, is on the Mission Center Financial Officer Team for Midlands Mission Center in the Central USA Mission Field.
Emily received a BA in Mathematics from Graceland University, and taught high school math for six years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. She spent time as a co-congregation financial officer and holds the priesthood office of Elder.
Emily and her husband, Craig, raise their three boys in Topeka, KS. They enjoy vacationing in Colorado, camping in their popup, and outdoor activities like biking and hiking.
Email: emily.hidy@outlook.com
Phone: 316.680.8508
Steve Beckman
Mission Center Financial Officer Team
Steve Beckman, a self-sustaining minister for Community of Christ, is on the Mission Center Financial Officer Team for Midlands Mission Center in the Central USA Mission Field.
Steve received degrees in Computer Science and Business Administration from Graceland University and has his Masters of Business Administration from Mid America Nazarene University. He is a Product Manager for T-Mobile in Overland Park. He serves on the Finance Team for the Olathe congregation and holds the office of Elder.
Steve and his wife Laura live in Olathe, KS, and have three boys.
Email: beckman445@gmail.com
Mobile: 913.314.4497
Craig Hidy
Invitational Support Minister
Craig Hidy is a self-sustaining Seventy for the Community of Christ and serves as the Mission Center Invitational Support Minister.
Craig received a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Graceland University with a minor in Religion. He went onto obtain a Master of Social Work from Wichita State University. He currently works in the educational field as a Behavior Interventionist. Throughout the years Craig has been highly involved in congregational life and outreach ministries. He has led church plants, trailer park ministries, small groups, youth activities, reunions, and many other things to be invitational and witness to others.
Craig and his wife Emily live in Topeka, KS with their three boys.
Email: craig_hidy@hotmail.com