During my final two years of undergraduate school, I was given opportunities to preach and ultimately to serve as the summer pastor of the Lenox Christian Church in Lenox, Iowa. It was there that I felt my calling to give my life to full-time Christian service. I had been preparing to be an English teacher.

In the summer of 1973, I enrolled in the Graduate Seminary of Phillips University, then in Enid, Oklahoma and I became the pastor of Freedom Christian Church in Freedom, Oklahoma. I finished seminary and was ordained to the Christian ministry in March, 1977.

I served three more congregations before coming to Lee's Summit. We loved every place we ever lived and served including Bethany and Macon, MO, and Indianapolis, IN. Along the way, we were blessed to have three children who are now young adults.

I am delighted to be in ministry in Lee's Summit having begun this ministry on October 1, 2004. Janet and I believe that this is a great place to live and that we are a part of a great faith community. Our passion is to share the faith with each successive generation in ways that are relevant and applicable to daily living. Now as new grandparents, we see this as an opportunity that will call for our best efforts for years to come!

As Senior Minister of Lee's Summit Christian Church, I invite you to come and join us in the adventure of living your life for Christ. There are many pathways which may lead you to new experiences of God's love. Joining us in worship is one good starting place. Sharing in a Spiritual Pathways class is another. Maybe you would like to get acquainted with us through a service project or a recreational opportunity. Whatever works for you, we hope we can help you to connect with God and grow as one of God's servants! Let us know if we can assist you!

Rev. Christian S. Franklin, Associate Minister

Blessings and I want to say what a joy it is to serve at Lee's Summit Christian Church.

Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I was born in a little town outside of Springfield Illinois called Spaulding, the youngest of six. My father was an electrician and worked for the electrical company first as a lineman and then managing the electrical load. He served in the local Riverton church as chair of various committees, most proudly as property when we built a new church. He was also active in local community act ivies, serving as school board chairman for several years. My mother sang and played organ. Several years after my father died of cancer, my mother remarried a local farmer and agribusinessman who had seven children. Fortunately we were never all living at home at the same time! We remained active in the church and I became active at

First Christian Church in Springfield Illinois, where I began my ministry filling in for first as interim youth minister, then as interim associate as I went to junior college and farmed for my Stepfather. It was then that I felt the calling for ministry.

On the encouragement of my pastor, I went to Culver-Stockton College in Canton Missouri to finish my undergraduate work. While there I worked on staff in the residents’ life and on weekends served several area churches, sometimes preaching in three different churches on a Sunday while attending Culver I met my wife Dorothy. We married the week after graduation in 1983. I graduated from Lexington Theological Seminary in 1985. Since then I have served two churches in Nebraska, York and Ashland and on church in Sioux Falls SD.

Dorothy also attended the University of Michigan, receiving her masters in public health. She has worked in the environmental field working on a variety of projects, everything from running a landfill to working on Superfund sites.

Dorothy and I have three children. Our oldest girl is studying environmental engineering at the School of Mines in Rapid City South Dakota and our two younger boys attend Summit Lakes Middle School and Trail Ridge Elementary School.

We are thrilled to be serving and living in Lee’s Summit, beginning here in November of 2006. Dorothy is thrilled to be singing in the choir and in the great variety of music opportunities at Lee's Summit, including the church belles. Having children that range from 1st grade to college, we see the wonderful school district in Lee's Summit as a great bonus to a progressive town and an active church. With our children we are thrilled to be active in the many activities of the church and all the possibilities for ministry. As a parent, I can see all the church offers for the whole family and invite you to some along on the journey of faith!

Rev. Suzanne Kerr
Ministry of Christian Education and Youth

Greetings and blessings! I would love to share some of my journey with you. I was born and raised in Midland, TX. My family was, and both my parents continue to be, very active at First Christian Church in Midland. My older sister lives in Ft. Worth with her husband, Keadon. During my youth I was involved in my church as well as the area and region in many different ways. I loved church camp and became a youth leader through the Youth Ministry Council of the Central Area. In fact, I first received my call at camp.

I graduated from Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, TX with a BA in Religion and Psychology

in 2000. While at TCU, I continued to be involved in camping ministries and was a youth sponsor. I graduated from Brite Divinity School at TCU with a Master of Divinity in 2004 and was ordained at First Christian Church, Midland. While in seminary, I served as the Youth Minister for the Trinity-Brazos Area and then as the Youth Minister for Community Christian Church in Aledo, TX. Following my ordination, I answered God’s call to serve as the Associate Minister of First Christian Church in Mayfield, KY.

I have served the wider church by counseling and directing numerous church camps, retreats, and youth events including Exploring Your Call at TCU and have keynoted several area/regional events. I also served on the Camp Retreat Ministry Task Group in Kentucky.

I enjoy reading, all kinds of music, laughing, and being outdoors (especially the lake).

I am so excited to serve in ministry here in Lee’s Summit, having begun the first of May 2006. Already I know that this is an incredible community of faith seeking to live out God’s call here in Lee’s Summit and around the world. I have a passion for accompanying folks on their journey as they discover God’s activity in their daily lives, asking the tough questions of faith, engaging in worship, and going out to serve in mission to share Christ’s love with others.