St. John's Lutheran Church Staff
Rev. Andrew Kennell, Pastor
Reverend Andrew Kennell was installed as Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in June, 2017. He graduated with a degree in Biblical Languages from Concordia University, Chicago, in 1998, where playing trumpet in the Wind Symphony took him around the country. In 2002 Andrew graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, earning the MDiv and STM degrees. Ordained in 2003 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Glendale, WI, Andrew has served congregations in Missouri and Nebraska. He and Emily were betrothed in 2007 and wed the following year. The Lord Jesus has blessed their marriage with 4 children.
John Cook, Music Director & Organist
John earned his Master of Music degree from Pittsburg State University (Pittsburg, Kansas), under the tutelage of Dr. Susan Marchant. As a graduate assistant he was responsible for accompanying the university, chamber, jazz choirs, opera and private voice studios. John earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the Boston Conservatory (Boston, Massachusetts). He has played numerous popular music recitals on theater organs built during the 1920’s. John served as organist and music director for several churches. He joined the staff of St. John's in 2013 and enjoys the challenges and rewards of providing and guiding the music there. Finding just the right music to complement worship is what he enjoys most. John says “Our organ, choir, and wide hymnody make for wonderful and interesting musical offerings”. John’s loving wife Liz is also an excellent clarinetist and educator. Together they raise three children (Paul, Lauren, and Ciara), and dote on their Labrador Retriever, Mona.
Liz Cook, Special Music
Liz is the wife of John Cook and is also a musician. She started giving music lessons at 13, and went on to complete a degree in Music Performance from Pittsburg State University in 2001, a teaching certificate in Music Education K-12 from Southwest Missouri State University in 2003, and taught for 2 years in a public school. Liz then went on to have two children and start an early childhood music education business and went back to school at Drury for Music Therapy. She completed a Master's in Education from Southwest Baptist University in 2017. Liz plays with the Queen City Ukulele Orchestra and the Republic Community Band.
Board of Directors
A.J. Bahl (President), Pete Hopkins (Vice President), Mary Phariss-Tressler, Carolin Hopkins (Secretary), Pastor Andrew Kennell, Kevin Huffmaster, Roger Unfleet, Trisha Pierce, Mike Wallace, Brett Bailey
Board of Elders
Roger Umfleet (Chairman), Tomas Saaf, Rob Pierce, Mark Matthews, Tim Lindeman
Board of Trustees
Kevin Huffmaster (Chairman), David Sims, Eric Maylee,
Ken Madison, Dennis Childress
Board of Education & Evangelism
Rev. Andrew Kennell (Chairman)
Nominating Committee
Jack Bailey
LaDonna Bailey