LEADERSHIP

ELDERS

Karis is led by a plurality of elders (or pastors) who are gifted in leading and teaching, biblically qualified (1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1) in character, and called by God. Our elders serve the church by leading the church, focusing on preaching, prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6). Christ is the head of Karis, but biblically, He entrusts His church to the leadership of a faithful, committed few.

kevin larson

Kevin serves as Lead Pastor of Karis. He is a native of Drexel, Missouri, a 1994 graduate of the University of Missouri (B.A., Honors in Communication), and a 2004 graduate of Southern Seminary (MDiv., Theology). Kevin has served in local church and campus ministries since 1994. He is married to Amy, a registered nurse. The couple has two boys, Hadley and Kylen, and a girl, Melia.

jeff carson

Jeff serves as a lay elder for Karis, shepherding as part of the preaching team, as well as leading a Missional Community. He worked in student/campus ministry for over 15 years before joining Carson Cabinets, a family business. Jeff and his wife, Angela, have four children: Micah, Avery, Ella, and Leah.

seth freeman

Seth serves as a lay elder. He leads a Missional Community and teaches an elementary classroom in Karis Kids. He is a family physician within the University of Missouri Health Care system, caring for patients in outpatient clinics and in the hospital. Seth and his wife, Annie, have two boys, Jackson and Luke.

DARREN SWANSON

Darren serves as a lay elder, regularly preaching on Sundays, serving in the mens ministry, and leading a Missional Community. A graduate of the Karis Internship, Darren now works in the education support sector. He is married to his wife Rebekah, and they have two girls, Noelle and Leah.

AARON FERGUSON

Aaron serves on staff as the Pastor of Discipleship and Development. After graduating from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary [MDiv (Church Planting), MTS (Preaching & Pastoral Ministry)], Aaron completed the Karis Internship and now leads Karis College, oversees our Missional Communities, and preaches regularly on Sundays. He is married to his wife, Caitlin, and they are expecting their first child.

DEACONS

Karis has deacons who are set apart by the Spirit and are biblically qualified (1 Timothy 3), as well. Our deacons serve the church by assisting the elders, leading various ministries within the church family.

Sarah Pierce

Karis Kids

JANA RAE SALMONS

Facilities

Bobby Schembre

Karis Music

amy larson

Karis Women

Gbenga Omotara

Karis Men

Ben Harting

Tech

Jonathan Goebel

Gathering Operations

Brandon Eschenbach

Karis Youth

MATT RIDGE

Global Mission

Mary Eschenbach

Karis Youth

liz lass

Membership