Meet the Staff

If you wish to contact any of our staff, please call 816.942.9022

or click on their picture below to send an email.

  • Dr Scott Sherwood

    Lead Pastor

    CLICK HERE FOR EMAIL

    Scott & Sherry (Fortado) Sherwood met at Jr Hi Camp, began dating in college and were married in 1991.  Sherry is CEO of Living Alternatives, a pregnancy help organization with 10 medical clinics and 3 residential facilities in Illinois and Indiana, where she has worked for 21 years.  She writes a daily devotional at  mymorningcoffee.org and serves on volunteer teams at church.  Scott has served the Church of the Nazarene as a youth pastor, evangelist, lead pastor, district superintendent, and Bible college president. 

    Scott & Sherry have three adult daughters, Libby, Madeira, and Brooke.  Libby finishes medical school at KCU-Joplin in May and plans to marry Chance Banchi in October.  Madeira is a CPA and is married to Bradley Hazelwood.  They live in Morton, IL.  Brooke is a worship and youth pastor and is married to JD Rienow.  They live in Carmel, IN.

    All five are graduates of Olivet Nazarene University.  Sherry earned her MSW at University of Iowa.  Scott has an M.Div from NTS and a D.Min from Fuller.  Both are avid readers and lifelong learners.

    Together, Scott & Sherry love to take walks, read, visit coffee shops, travel, watch baseball (and other sports) and serve the church.   



  • Rev darwin speicher

    Executive Pastor of Worship & Congregational care

    CLICK HERE FOR EMAIL

    Pastor Darwin and Cindy have pastored and served several churches in our denomination the most recent coming from Colorado Springs, Colorado. Pastor Darwin oversees the Worship & Arts and Congregational Care teams. 

  • dr dale jones

    Executive pastor of finance and administration

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    Upon retirement from the position of Research Services Director for the general Church of the Nazarene, Dr. Dale Jones joins the KC First staff as Executive Pastor of Finance and Administration overseeing administration and financials. He and Kathy have been members of KC First Church for many years.

  • rev Jenee noriega yarbrough

    associate pastor of evangelism & discipleship

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    Pastor Jenee ministers to KC First Church along with her husband Stevie.  Not only does she help with discipleship and evangelism at the State Line campus, she also leads the Total Life Church congregation meeting at the seminary on Sundays at 5:00pm. 

    Click Here for Pastor Jenee's full bio.


  • rev mario ticum

    KC first hispanic church pastor

    Pastor Mario joined KC First Hispanic in April, 2024 with his wife Yecsi and children Bella, Estefania, Mariana and Joel. He is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene and pastored in Guatemala prior to accepting the pastorate at KC First Hispanic. (better photo coming soon!) KC First Hispanic has entered it's fifth year and is vibrant and growing! 

  • rev Dan Bauer

    Early CHildhood Director

    Dan serves some of our littlest and youngest members of the church family; our 3's, 4's and 5's also called "Sprouts" in KC First lingo.  If you drop off your little one for children's church, Mr. Dan will be there with his team. Dan recently received his degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary and attends with his wife Heidi and daughter Sydney. 

  • Keelin anzalone

    children's ministry Director

    CLICK HERE FOR EMAIL

    Keelin feels a call to ministry and brings great energy to our kids each and every week!  She is currently enrolled at Nazarene Bible College in the Ministry Preparation Program and cannot wait to see where God takes her!


  • Phyllis Hunt

    Nursery Director

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    Phyllis has been a familiar face in the children's area since coming to KCFC in December 1990. She has served as nursery director several times--most recently serving in this position for the last six years.


    Phyllis has been working with children for more than 40 years. When she's not with the children, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.

  • DIanna mcelwain

    As Dianna was ending 43 years of teaching in Early Childhood, the position of Office Manager opened up in our church office. Dianna felt the call of the Lord to accept the position. She has worked in our church office before in other capacities.

    Dianna is involved in choir, ladies ministry, and Growing in the Word Sunday School class.  Dianna and her husband Craig have been members of KC First since 2000. 

  • rev Anita casady

    online chaplain

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    Anita joins us each and every week online ministering to our online family. Our online group on Facebook can communicate prayer requests and praises to Anita to share with the church family. 

  • Isabella sawyer

    children's ministries intern

    Isabella is currently pursuing her call to ministry as she works to earn her degree in Leadership and Ministry at Kansas Christian College. She loves to work with kids of all ages, sparking creativity in fun and new ways as she teaches them the Bible stories we all know and love! When she’s not working with the kids, Isabella enjoys art, writing, and fishing!