Church Staff
The Boulevard Campus is one of the multiple locations that make up Topeka First Assembly Churches. We think of ourselves as one church with three locations.
While we believe that God has called us to plant churches strategically throughout Topeka, we also believe that there is strength in numbers, and dynamic synergy in fellowship. Because of this, we are committed to a covenant model of leadership where together our pastoral staff make Topeka First Assembly churches happen. We are a diverse family of Christ-Followers, a team, privileged to serve in the Kingdom with You!
Bo Melin is the Lead Pastor of the Blvd. Campus and Senior Pastor of Topeka First Assembly Churches. He brings over 40 years of ministry experience to our team. Originally from Sweden, his family immigrated to Canada in 1953. Pastor Bo attended Oral Roberts University on a music scholarship and traveled internationally with the group Living Sound. Since that time, he has pastored at several locations in the Pacific Northwest and traveled extensively working in missions and training church leaders. Pastor Bo loves adventure and over the years has flown airplanes in the Alaskan wilderness, sailed boats, back packed, climbed mountains and bicycled long distance. He has a passion for missions and ministers overseas on a regular basis.
Bo and Karen have been married 11 years. Karen serves our community as a public school teacher. They have four children and three grandchildren. Check out Pastor Bo's latest blog.
As worship leader, Jeanna Dehner brings a unique blend of Gospel and Contemporary Christian music into our worship setting. She also serves as Administrative Assistant to Pastor Bo. Jeanna and Colin have been married for 25 years and have two children.
Steve Peoples is Lead Pastor of Mission Hill Church and Business Administrator for Topeka First Assembly Churches. He is a graduate of Washburn University with a degree in Public Administration. Pastor Steve brings a unique perpsective to our team having worked extensively in youth ministry for over 17 years serving in capacities from youth sponsor to youth pastor and Youth Alive Missionary to the State of Illinois. Steve and Angela have been married for 21 years and have four children. Steve is passionate about golf and connecting unchurched people to God. Check out Pastor Steve's latest blog.
Steve Rains is Pastor of Life Groups and Assimilation. He comes to us from Colorado via Goodland, Kansas where he served as Senior Pastor of Calvary Gospel Church for over seven years. We feel blessed to have his experience on our team. Steve is a graduate of Central Bible College. He has been married to Robin for 18 years and has two children. Steve is passionate about seeing people become who God created them to be. Pastor Steve enjoys time with his family, working out, outdoor life, a good book, and the Broncos. Check out Pastor Rains' latest blog.
Hal Smith is Lead Pastor of the Farmhouse Church and Topeka First Benevolence Ministries. As President of the Rescue Mission, Pastor Hal carries the reputation of a community leader. Hal also brings a unique perspective to our team as prior to his time on staff, he was a successful businessman and former youth evangelist with Youth Challenge. Pastor Hal and Debi have been married for 30 years and have 4 children and 9 granchildren. Pastor Hal is focused on helping real people find real help from the real Saviour, Jesus Christ.
James Haffener is Pastor of First Kids, Axis Infiniti Student Life, and Evangelism. Pastor James attended Ottawa University on a Football scholarship and graduated with BA in Business Communication. He brings over a decade in youth and college ministries to our team, and also worked for three years in the Chicago area on a church plant team. James and Shelley have been married for seven years and have three children. They are fully invested in seeing people become passionate, reproductive disciples of Christ that are connected to their God-given calling in life. Pastor James loves time with his family, the great outdoors, reading, art, and serving his home church. Check out Pastor James' latest blog.
Jason Kuenzi is Kidz Pulse Pastor and Junior Bible Quiz Coordinator. Jason works full-time in the Dairy Industry, but maintains his committment to Kidz Pulse with a 10 year track record of consistent investment into the lives of children. He is passionate about building a solid Christ-centered Biblical world view in the lives children. Jason and Kristy have been married for 18 years and have 5 children. He loves spending time with His family, fishing, and cares deeply about adoption.
Jan Engler Erin Grieve Jimmy and Josie Lemus
Herb Rissen Vern Mulford