Meet our staff
Rev. Lora Andrews
Senior Pastor
“I am passionate about God’s love for all people and consider it a great privilege to preach, teach, lead, love my neighbor, and seek justice as a pastor of the body of Christ. I love helping folks discover how to put faith into action—through loving God and others unconditionally, seeking answers to our questions, and serving God by serving others. My journey of faith is driven by joy, abundance, relationship, and justice, and I am grateful to be on the journey with you.”
Read more about Pastor Lora
Lora began at St. Paul’s in July 2019. Before moving to Lenexa, Lora served as pastor of Grace UMC in Winfield, KS (2014-2019) and as student pastor of East End UMC in Nashville, TN while receiving her M. Div. from Vanderbilt Divinity School (2011-2014). She is a lifelong United Methodist and grew up in Hillsboro, KS. She received her undergraduate degree from Kansas State University in Secondary Education with a concentration in English. Lora was ordained an elder in the Great Plains Conference in 2016 where she serves on the GP Campus Ministry Team, GP UMC Next Team, and coordinates the GP Young Clergy.
When she is not at work, you might find Lora spending time with good friends or a good book at a coffee shop. She loves to kayak, hike, be outdoors, and to travel to new places. Most recently, Lora enjoys exploring her new city and being closer to her two nephews who live in Topeka!
Rev. Sandra Cox
Pastor of Faith Formation
“My calling in the church to is to help every person understand their life story in the light of our sacred story, the good news of Jesus Christ. I love it when together we find those “aha” moments that help us see that is how God has always been at work in the world and that is how God is at work in our life today. I believe the church exists to tell this story and to help us all see that we are part of a community of grace that God is shaping through Jesus Christ.”
Read more about Pastor Sandra
Sandra came to St. Paul’s in 2007. She has served as Director of Children’s Ministries at both Aldersgate UMC (1991-1993) and Lenexa UMC (1993-1995). She served as Associate Pastor of Country Club UMC (1995-1997) and Trinity UMC (1997-1998). Sandra became Senior Associate Pastor at Grace UMC (1998-2003) where she was responsible for all of Christian Education ministries and pastoral care. In 2003 she became the pastor of Roeland Park UMC where she served until she came to St. Paul’s.
Sandra received her undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. in the fields of History and Art/Archaeology. She has a Master’s of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri and is an elder in the Great Plains Annual Conference. She has served as an adjunct faculty member at St. Paul School of Theology, where she has taught courses in Christian Education, Biblical Studies and Preaching. She has served as both a PLUM (Preparing for Local Ministry) and ELM (Entering Local Ministry) leader during the school year. Sandra enjoys working with students to help them fulfill their call into ministry.
Sandra is the Pastor of Faith Formation and oversees all areas of Christian Education and Spiritual Formation including Sunday School for all ages, Confirmation Class, Bible studies, Small Groups and Adult Missions.
Sandra is married to Mark who is the Executive Director of the Midwest Hemophilia Association. They live in Olathe, Kansas and together they have four children (Ryan, Erin, Beth, and Charlie), one daughter-in-law (Megan), one son-in-law (Jeisun) and one granddaughter (Isabella)!
Pastor Mike Marcus
Associate Pastor
“My calling in ministry is to serve the needs of people who sometimes get ignored by the church. Sometimes Sunday mornings aren’t just inconvenient, they’re impossible. For those in the service industry, those that carry abnormal hours, sometimes it just doesn’t work. I don’t think many people would argue what Jesus and the Disciples did wasn’t ‘church.’ They built kinship and community on the road, in homes, and in unexpected places. My focus is that of ‘thin places,’ where the holy and the ordinary come together to reveal God.”
Read more about Pastor Mike
Mike Marcus is currently a student at St. Paul School of Theology. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 2015 with a B.A. in Religious Studies.
Mike has previously served at New Church Lawrence as an Executive Pastor from 2015-2016. He is currently leading the Presence ministry within St. Paul’s that is focused on community-centered, experiential worship. Mike’s focus in ministry is building community through worship and dialogue, outside the walls of the church. While at St. Paul School of Theology, he is focusing on studying how current ministry models are meeting the needs of individuals through these developing church models.
Mike is married to Allison Marcus, the Youth Director at St. Paul’s.
Allison Marcus
Director of Student Ministries
Allison came to St. Paul’s in July of 2012. She is a graduate of the University of Kansas with degrees in Journalism and Religious Studies. She now enjoys cheering on her Jayhawks in her free time!
Allison feels a calling to a youth ministry career and building relationships with youth while helping them develop their faith lives. She continues to be amazed by the power of church community as she grows in her faith with those around her. Allison is in Seminary school at Saint Paul Seminary, working toward an ordination as a Deacon in the United Methodist Church.Read more about Allison
Jamie Turk
Director of Family & Children’s Ministries
We’re happy to have Jamie Turk on our staff as Director of Family and Children’s Ministries. Jamie previously worked with LifeBridge UMC and Church of the Resurrection in similar capacities. Among other qualities, we appreciate Jamie’s dedication to children and families, her energy, and her sense of humor!
Jamie lives in Overland Park with her husband Troy and three sons Logan, Wyatt, and Owen. As you can imagine, the family stays busy with sports and other activities! They are making the most of this season of their lives.
Jackson Thomas
Director of Choral Music
Conductor, tenor, and teacher, Jackson directs the Chancel Choir, Bell Choir, and Orchestra. In addition to his work at St. Paul’s, Jackson is the founding Artistic Director of the KC VITAs Chamber Choir, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional choir dedicated to the continued creation and performance of “Contemporary-Classical” music. He currently serves as an Artist-in-Residence at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO where he teaches voice, ear training, opera workshop, and women’s choir. As a performer of operatic, musical theatre, and choral repertoire, Jackson can be heard around the city in a variety of solo and ensemble performances.
Jackson holds a B.A. in Vocal Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an M.M. in Choral Conducting from the University of Kansas where he studied conducting with Paul Tucker and voice with Joyce Castle. In his spare time, Jackson enjoys hiking, cooking, and spending quality time with his cats and dog.Read more about Jackson
Loren Bridge
Contemporary Music Director
Loren joined St. Paul’s staff in June, 2018. He has a long history of work in the church and is looking forward to sharing his gifts with the St. Paul’s community. Loren is also a choral director for the Center School District and holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Northwest Missouri State University. With 17 years in education and nearly 20 years in church music, he has a variety of gifts to bring to his new role. Loren also has a love of theater and music, directs and plays piano, and does sound and lighting design at school and various theaters in town.
Charles Dickinson
Accompanist
Charles is active around Kansas City as a pianist in a variety of settings, including working with Jackson Thomas’ choir, KC VITAs. Charles holds a B.A. in Piano Performance from Adams State University in Alamosa, CO; an M.M. In Piano Performance from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque; and an Artist’s Certificate in Piano Performance from UMKC. His teachers include William Lipke, Falko Steinbach, Pamela Pyle, and Karen Kushner. Charles also manages The Simpson House, an event space near the Country Club Plaza.
Aaron Masters
Worship Media Coordinator
We’re happy and fortunate to have Aaron on staff at St. Paul’s. Aaron is studying Audio Engineering at KCKCC and is also a bass player. Aaron lives in Shawnee with his parents, Chris and Dan, and Golden Retriever, Max.
Ronelle Neperud
Director of ConneXions Ministries
Ronelle Neperud has been a member and volunteered in many aspects of St. Paul’s ministries for a couple of decades! She is excited about the tremendous potential for St. Paul’s at this time in its history. She is equally excited to be a part of the team of staff and volunteer members that provide a welcoming environment that encourages a sense of belonging for newcomers, regular attendees, members and those yet to come to our church’s doors.
Read more about Ronelle
Ronelle holds a Bachelors of Social Work degree from Avila College and a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Missouri, Columbia. She brings a harvest of professional knowledge and experience in working with people, organizations and community for more than 35 years. She has a particular passion for helping people discover their potential and matching that potential with life-fulfilling purpose and meaning.
Ronelle enjoys spending time with her blended family of seven children, 11 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild; volunteering at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and Phoenix Family; reading a wide variety of books; and gardening.
Doris Housh
Office Manager
Doris Housh began working as our Office Manager at St. Paul’s in February of 1993.
Doris is active in United Methodist Women, having served as local president and various other offices, and also as District President of the Kansas City District and other district offices.
Doris’s background is in education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English, and a master’s degree in psychology, with an emphasis in special education.
Doris and her husband, Dave, live in Shawnee. They have been members at Monticello United Methodist since 1983. They enjoy spending time with their daughter Deanna, son-in-law Ryan, and grandson Ira.
Kathy Corrigan
Business Manager
Bio coming soon
Janice Colt
Communications Director
Janice joined the staff at St. Paul’s in January 2013. She enjoys putting her skills to work serving the St. Paul’s community.
Janice has a BA in English from UMKC. Her professional experience includes technical writing, marketing communications, and web development. She enjoys the challenge of combining creativity and technology to help establish and nurture connections between people. She lives in Midtown KCMO with her husband, Gary. They have two grown kids and three granddaughters. In addition to enjoying time with family and friends, Janice likes practicing yoga, knitting, watching movies, and going for nature walks.Read more about Janice
Pat Stangl
St. Paul’s Preschool Director
Pat provides oversight to both our Preschool program and our Children’s Day Out. She supports our staff of Early Childhood professionals and works with parents as they find the best learning experience for their children. She helps provide a welcoming environment and superior foundation for lifelong learning for each child.
Read more about Pat
Pat lives with her husband, Steve, in Overland Park. They have three children and three grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, gardening, and being out in nature.
Lynda Gillette
Childcare Coordinator
Lynda coordinates staffing resources for all activities requiring child care. Her goal is to provide a loving and safe staff and environment for children while their parents attend church functions.
CHILDCARE POLICY: St. Paul’s requires reservations for childcare four days prior to an event, and a minimum of 3 children of St. Paul’s members must be registered to make childcare available. To reserve childcare, please include name of parents, name of child, age of child, date childcare is needed, and St. Paul’s event you are attending when you email us.
Hadi Al Faris
Custodial Manager
Hadi and his wife moved to the United States from Baghdad, Iraq in 2015. They live in Kansas City, KS. Hadi formerly worked as a as a supervisor for Aspire Cleaning Services, which is a Catholic Charities program that provides employment opportunities for refugees in the custodial industry. Hadi is a wonderful addition to our St. Paul’s staff.