Pastors
Kim May – Senior Pastor
Although I grew up in a Lutheran church I did not become a Christian until 19 years of age when I truly repented of my sins and surrendered control of my life to Jesus. Soon thereafter, in the context of a small group fellowship, I experienced direction from God to pursue a ministry of teaching the Bible.
I transferred from a state university, then, to a Christian college from which I earned a degree in New Testament Studies and Christian Education. Then I attended Wheaton Graduate School and Fuller Theological Seminary, completing a Master’s Degree in Theology.
From 1976 to 1986 (whether in school or not) I pastored in churches – Disciples of Christ, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist. Then came the distinct guidance to start LCF. From 1986 until now I have enjoyed being Senior Pastor of this healthy, caring, growing church.
My major responsibilities include overall direction of the church in unity with the Leadership Team; training and pastoring the staff; teaching in most Sunday morning services; overseeing a teaching team; casting vision to install values and catalyze ministry; plus encouraging people to invest in Christian relationships through small groups, discover their ministry, and serve the Lord with their spiritual gifts.
I also began a ministry of writing in 2006 with my first book: Authentic Christianity – Starting Strong & Staying Strong. In addition to writing I love to read, watch a good show with my wife, play tennis and golf, and watch a variety of sports.
Scott Hickox – Senior Associate Pastor
As I think back on my years as a child, I am so thankful my parents were committed to the church. While I didn’t put my faith in Christ until I was 18 years old, there is no doubt God was using all those years to prepare my heart to understand the gospel. Near the end of my senior year in high school, God convicted me of my sin and opened my eyes to my desperate need of a savior. That spring night in Northwest Arkansas changed my life for eternity.
God was gracious to lead me to Southwest Missouri State in Springfield, Missouri where I played basketball for four years. He put me in a room with two strong Christian brothers who demonstrated what it meant to follow Jesus. I spent several summers on staff at Kanakuk Kamp where God continued to stir my passion for Him. The most important event of my college days happened when I met Amy Bjorn during my junior year. After graduation, I continued at SMSU and completed my MBA. Graduation was on Friday, and on Saturday Amy and I were married, December 17, 1988.
Our first jobs took us back to Northwest Arkansas where my career in the business world began. That career would span several jobs and several moves. During that time, Amy and I were involved in various ministries. One constant through all those years was our involvement in small groups; they have been a vital part of our lives since we were married. Our closest friends have come from those groups. For the past 18 years, it has been our joy to lead small groups; our current group has been meeting for over 13 years!
In 2003, we took our first mission trip to Trinidad. I had felt convicted about missions so asked our small group if they would consider going. Eighteen of us went on that first trip. That led to 3 more trips, each one a little larger than the previous one. One of my favorite things about those trips is that we were able to take our family with us. What a joy to share the experience with them. God used those trips to begin to stir my passion for His kingdom around the world.
Because of how God had prepared us, when LCF was searching for an assistant pastor for small groups and missions, it seemed natural that we should consider full time ministry. While it seemed natural, at first we resisted. But God was gracious to give the Leadership Team patience as they waited for us to surrender our will to the Lord. Over time, it became abundantly clear to us that this was what God had for us. So in December 2008, I joined the staff at LCF as Assistant Pastor (now Sr. Associate Pastor). What a privilege to serve such an encouraging, loving body of believers. We are so thankful God has placed us at LCF.
Drew Mathews – Associate Pastor
I grew up in Olathe, KS and understood the gospel at a young age. My parents were and continue to be a huge influence on my devotion to Jesus Christ. God began to develop my spiritual gifts of leadership, teaching, and encouragement during my childhood. During junior high, the development of these gifts was hindered as I chose to compromise my faith and chase after the idols of athletic fame and popularity amongst my peers.
The biggest catalyst that brought me back into submission to Christ was small group fellowship and accountability. When I was 17, one of my best friends challenged me to live wholeheartedly for Christ and quit faking it, and I haven’t turned back since. Throughout college I pursued relationships with other believers who would help sharpen me and give me a context to explore God’s will for my life. Again, my spiritual gifts became evident. The difference was that now the expression of them was fueled by an overwhelming desire to glorify God and share the message of his Son Jesus Christ to the world.
My time in college at William Jewell was especially sweet as I grew tremendously in my faith, and God continued his act in redeeming areas in my life in which I had previously failed to make Him Lord. In particular, I began to use my opportunity as a basketball player to shine his light through unselfish conduct and commitment to excellence. God blessed me with a platform to influence teammates, opponents, other students, and fans, and I sought to steward these opportunities well. In the realm of romantic relationships, a realm in which I had formerly failed to give God control, He blessed me with Sara Karnes. We have faithfully pursued Christ together since 2003 and were married May 28, 2006. Also during the college years, I was first introduced to LCF and had the opportunity to be mentored by Kim May. God developed a passion in me to be a leader in the local church and play my part in making disciples of Jesus Christ.
After a few years serving with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, we took off for Los Angeles, where I attended Talbot Seminary. Early into my time there, I began to sense the Lord calling me to pursue a position at LCF. It really was a dream of mine that seemed like a long shot at the time. What a blessing it has been to watch God do his work in bringing everything together in his timing!
It is especially sweet to be back serving at this church where God has already done marvelous work in my life. I desire to serve the body of Christ wholeheartedly and help others discover their passion and ministry. Sara and I recently bought a home in Liberty, and our prayer is that God would use us here for years to come. We will mainly be serving college students and young adults through weekly meetings, small group fellowship, and one-on-one discipleship.
My favorite activity at home is spending time with my bride, Sara, and with my son Luke.
Libby Skillman – Children’s Pastor
As I look back on my life, God began preparing me for my role as LCF Children’s Pastor long before I even attended this church. Knowing my heart for children and families, He had a plan for me through my education and my personal gifts.
I grew up in Savannah, Missouri and graduated from William Jewell College with a degree in elementary education with an emphasis in early childhood and learning disabilities. From there, I accepted a teaching position at a local Christian school where I taught for five years.
During that five year period my family began attending LCF. In 1987, LCF was only one year old and, while it had very small attendance at the time, my husband John and I could immediately tell it was the right place for our family. We quickly felt at home enjoying the intimate worship and Kim’s practical life-changing teachings. It wasn’t long until I decided to volunteer as a children’s teacher on Sundays bringing my professional life as an educator into the church and serving God in a way I really love.
In 1989, attendance at LCF had grown to the point where a position was needed for a part-time Children’s Ministry Director to oversee this vital component of the church. I was hired to fill this need. This was a big step for the church at the time because it was the first paid position on the staff besides the Senior Pastor.
My responsibilities as Children’s Pastor include supporting, encouraging, and equipping parents in raising their children to be spiritual champions. I’m also responsible for developing a team of leaders and managing all the supporting classes and ministries to carry-out the ministry. I have a great team of people working alongside me to carry out our mission of Targeting Hearts and Changing Lives for Jesus.
Over the years, as my role has continued to expand with the growth of the church, I have never lost the joy of serving God by ministering to children and families. God has been faithful and richly blessed the children’s ministry program. Now, after so many years at LCF, it’s humbling to watch the once young children who have passed through our program stepping out as adults and making a significant spiritual impact on others in high school and college.
In my spare time I love reading Christian biographies, gardening and being with friends. My husband John and I have three children, Katie, Miles and Jacob and reside in Liberty.
Tim Fritson – Youth Pastor
I grew up and have lived most of my life here in Liberty, graduating from Liberty High School in 2004. My journey to faith in Jesus Christ is credited to the love, patience, and persistence of my friends during my junior high and early high school years. On numerous occasions I was invited to youth groups, bible studies, and church events over a two or three year period, but for various reasons always turned the offers down. The summer after my freshman year of high school I was invited, once again, to an outreach event, this time here at Liberty Christian Fellowship. The event was called “The House”, and it was there that for the first time I heard and understood the fullness of the Gospel. Two days later, in a booth at HunanGarden(right behind that giant fish!) I prayed with [then Youth Pastor] Kennon Vaughan to accept the saving grace of Jesus Christ. I’ll never forget that day!
After my time at LHS I chased two dreams to the University of Missouri – one was the thought of being the world’s next great broadcast journalist (a la Walter Cronkite) and the other the opportunity to continue my athletic career on the MU track team. It only took one freshman level journalism class for me to realize that my thoughts of journalism glory weren’t what the Lord wanted for me, though I wasn’t certain what was to fill that void. After a semester or two of thought and prayer I decided that I would study religious studies and communication in hopes of entering into youth ministry upon graduating. During three summer breaks, I served as LCF’s youth ministry summer assistant, where my heart and passion for youth ministry was really fanned into flame. My time at MU remains as one of the most formative and rich times in my walk with Jesus.
Since graduating from MU in December of 2007, I’ve had the opportunity to serve as the youth pastor of two churches, but the work of the Lord here at LCF has always held a special place in my heart. I can’t even begin to express how excited I am to have the opportunity to partner with the Lord in what he is doing in and through this church.
I live here in Liberty with my wonderful wife, Melody, who works for the Liberty Public School District. We are beyond thrilled to be working at LCF and consider ourselves blessed and fortunate to be a part of such a caring community of committed Christ followers. We are humbled by the chance to serve alongside this staff and congregation and look forward to what God has in store for the students, parents, volunteers, and people of this church.
Brian Bliss – Worship Pastor
I grew up in the Kansas City area, and was blessed to be a part of a family who loves the Lord… and loves music. I placed my faith in Christ at a young age, but it wasn’t until after college that I really started to grow in my faith.While music has always been a significant part of my life, in 2005 I had the opportunity to lead worship each week for a church in the Northland area. Through that experience, the Lord placed a real passion in my heart for leading worship. It is such a privilege and honor to lead the music in our times of corporate worship… times where we can express our love for the Lord through song. My heart’s desire is that we proclaim His love, and the truths we see in the Bible… through the music we sing.
I work as part-time Worship Pastor, and have the privilege of leading our teams at our weekend services at LCF. I work full-time at Sprint and live in the Gladstone area with my wife Susan. We are blessed with three children – Rebekah, Paige, and Tyler… who also love music!
When not involved with music, I also enjoy tennis, racquetball, reading…and a good cup of coffee!
Psalms 96:2 Sing to the Lord, praise His name. Each day proclaim the good news that He saves.
Veronica Meeks – Assistant Children’s Pastor
Before accepting my current position with LCF I earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and worked in the Oncology field for 12 years. My experiences in the nursing field with hurting and desperate people, combined with a desire to help children and adults fulfill their destiny in Christ, helped prepare my heart for a ministry position at LCF.
I left full-time nursing in 2000 and served as a volunteer, growing in leadership roles and was hired in 2004. My role changed in 2006 to Assistant Children’s Pastor. A sincere desire to help others reach their full potential permeates the way I approach my role as Assistant Children’s Pastor.
My responsibilities include leadership of TruthSeekers (our mid-week program for 3rd-5th graders who want to dive deeper in relationship with Christ), Hands Up! puppet ministry and Word Out! kids band, as well as oversight of 1st & 3rd Service Sunday morning programs. I’m also heavily involved in planning and running LCF’s annual Trunk-r-Treat event. Much of my volunteer ministry time is spent praying for others, as I co-lead the Theophostic Prayer Ministry for which I hold an advanced certification.
I enjoy playing the guitar, violin and electric bass. Outside of church, I enjoy snow skiing, dogs, drawing, painting and puppetry.
I’ve been married to my husband Pete since 1990 and our family has been attending LCF since that time as well. We have four children, Philip, Andrew, Victoria and Camille.
Joelle May – Assistant Youth Pastor
Throughout my middle school and high school years, God really worked in my life. In 6th grade, (after youth group and being highly influenced by my older peers), God put a passion in me to let everyone I come in contact with, know about the amazing story of our Savior Jesus Christ. Ever since then, that passion has continued to grow. I want the world to know Christ, and not only that, I long for future generations to stand strong for His name.
As I headed into high school, I saw many of my friends fall in their faith and it broke my heart. As I went to college, I saw how many can claim to be Christians, but not really live it out, and are often far from the truth. I long for people to hear the truth and take a stand for Christ. I just love teens, so I guess this was a perfect fit, becoming the assistant youth pastor (mainly working with the girls) of the youth group.
In December 2008, I graduated from Truman State University, with my major in Vocal performance, where I was heavily involved there in a program called K-Life (branched off from Kanakuk, a para-church ministry to reach out to the youth in Kirksville). At K-Life , God really put a passion in me for youth, so much that it led me to this job here at LCF. I’ve worked at Kanakuk Kamps for three years, and just loved my time with the kids, and I am so excited about this job! In my spare time, I love to sing, play piano and guitar, run, read, and just have fun! To God be the glory for leading me here to this new era in life, I am excited for what is to come, for our God is a good and faithful God.
I pray that my time here at LCF will not be about me, but only about Christ, and that students may come to know Him, feel his abounding love, and stand unswervingly the rest of their lives.
