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Leadership
Here is our leadership teams for Independence First Church, Axis Church, and our Hispanic Church.
Bill Knight
Lead Pastor
Hello, I am Pastor Bill. I joined the staff at Indy First Church in 2008 as a part time youth director. In 2010 I became the full-time youth pastor. I completed my course of studies and was ordained, and became the Associate Pastor, later in 2023 I became the Lead Pastor. My wife Emmi and I have 3 children and love serving on staff here.
Chace Owen
Children's/Video Pastor
Hi my name is Chace. I am the Children's Pastor, and the Video Pastor here at the First Church of the Nazarene. I grew up in Caney, Ks, and fully declared Christ as my savior in College. I graduated from Coffeyville Community College & MidAmerica Nazarene University, and been serving since 2018. Recently married to my lovely wife Hannah as of July 2019, and we have two dogs.
Harold & Linda Groth
Visitation Pastors
Hello I'm Harold Groth, I was raised in the Church of the Brethren where I was baptized as a youth. In 1999, I received my ordination, and proceeded to enter full time ministry. I served with my wife Linda in McCune Kansas until retiring in 2010. We then moved to Independence and started attending the Nazarene Church at the time. In March of 2018, my wife and I began to tag team with the Visitation Ministry. In 2019, I received my ordination with the Church of the Nazarene. My wife Linda and I have been married for 53 years, and have been blessed with two married sons and four grandchildren.
Erin Shelton
Worship Leader
My name is Erin Shelton and I have been the worship leader for the Independence First Church of the Nazarene for 11 years. I do not have a ministry degree, but I have played the piano or sang in church since I was 5! I am also the full-time band director here in Independence, teaching grades 6-12. My husband, Brian and I have been married for 18 years and we have three children Abby, Eli, and Caleb who was born this past June. We love our church and it’s a joy serving as the worship leader.
Avery Risener
Office Secretary
Hello I am Avery Risener. My family and I have been attending the Independence Nazarene Church for a while.
Josh Mitchell
Hispanic Lead Pastor
My name is Josh Mitchell. The LORD has blessed my wife and I with the opportunity to be the lead pastors with the Hispanic Church Plant here in the Independence First Church of the Nazarene. I have served as one of the bilingual pastors for about a year and a half now, although I have served in various other roles several years prior. I studied at the Rio Grande Bible Institute, which is where I met my wife.
Zurisadai Mitchell
Hispanic Children's Pastor
Hello this is Zurisadai Mitchell, and I’m from Cuba. I grew up in a Christian home, and then studied at the Rio Grande Bible Institute where I met my husband Josh. I have been part of the Nazarene Church for 2 years, and just this last year received my District License. I serve as the kid’s pastor at the Hispanic church, and Josh and I have 2 children of our own Esther and Elizabeth.
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