Church Staff
Steve Peoples is the Senior Pastor of Topeka First Assembly Churches and Lead Pastor of Mission Hill Church and Business Administrator for the campuses. He is a graduate of Washburn University with a degree in Public Administration. Pastor Steve brings a unique perspective 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 23 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 Lead Pastor of the Boulevard Campus and oversees 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 20 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 Topeka 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 31 years and have four children and nine grandchildren. Pastor Hal is focused on helping real people find real help from the real Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Erik Rocha is Lead Pastor of the Centro Cristiano Nueva Vida. Pastor Erik and Michelle have been married for 9 years and have five children.
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 Steve Peoples. Jeanna and Colin have been married for 27 years and have two children.
Pete Kramer joined the preaching team at our Mission Hill campus in January 2010. Their ministry includes small groups, teaching, and multi-media. Pete is a 2007 graduate of Central Bible College with a B.A. in Bible and Youth Ministries. Whitney is a 2010 graduate of Missouri State University with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education. Pete and Whitney were married in December 2007 and have a newborn son named A.J.
Mark Whitehead is the Student Ministries Pastor and oversees the children’s ministry at the boulevard campus. Pastor Mark came to us from Colorado via Living Waters Church in Salida, where he was a youth pastor for a year and a half. Mark is a 2009 graduate from North Central University with a B.A. in Youth Ministries and a minor in Biblical Studies and Business. Ashley graduated from Southwestern University with a B.A. in Professional Development and works as our publications specialist. Mark and Ashley have been married since January of 2010 and have a passion to see youth come to know Christ.
