Lonnie Cole McGee has served as a pastor at Redemption Church since March 2014. With 15+ years of pastoral experience, he has been family, associate, youth, and children’s pastor. He holds an MTS from Nazarene Theological Seminary and a BA in Family Ministry from Manhattan Christian College. Cole is passionate about community building, theology, philosophy, and connecting people to God’s story. He enjoys the outdoors, learning new skills, and playing games with loved ones. He is committed to fostering an inclusive, safe environment for spiritual growth and neighborhood service.

Nancy Bartelt has served as Redemption Church’s Elementary Director since early 2023. Joining the year before, she was drawn to how the community embodies God’s vision of shalom. Leading songs, games, lessons, and prayers for children since her teens, she’s passionate about participating in Jesus’ creative, redeeming work. She holds a music therapy degree and a Spiritual Direction certificate. Nancy delights in kids’ honesty and playfulness and finds joy and hope in learning and playing with families. She and her husband have four children. In her spare time she writes haiku, makes collaborative art, travels, enjoys dessert and deep conversations, and avoids housework.

Jo Overholt has been Redemption Church’s Early Childhood Director since 2021. She holds an Early Childhood Education degree from Southern Nazarene University and taught elementary school for six years before staying home with her two children. Jo helps lead volunteers to create a safe, nurturing, and engaging space for young children, fostering their curiosity about God and His kingdom. She enjoys audiobooks, podcasts, baking, and sometimes forgetting laundry. Her love languages are snacks, perfect GIFs, and pajama pants. Jo lives in Olathe with her husband Drew, children Elise and Edison, and guinea pigs Chicken and Nuggets.

The high school senior internship at Redemption Church moves students from participants to active members. Interns care for sacred and communal spaces: cutting communion bread, assisting classrooms and production teams, setting up and tearing down ministry spaces, and supporting weekly youth meetings. This hands-on leadership helps students find their role in the church and deepen their faith.

The Youth Ministry Parent Council at Redemption Church partners with Youth Ministry to give guidance, accountability, and support. Grounded in the ministry’s philosophy of being and relating, the council aligns programming and pastoral care with family needs. Meeting quarterly, it reviews initiatives, evaluates events (like U18 milestones), and advises on long-term direction.

Members hold specialized roles: Ministry and Administrative Advisors handle operations and the annual program review; Family and Volunteer Support Advisors tend to relational health, coordinate care for families in crisis (meals, listening), and encourage High School and Middle School Small Group Leaders. This structure supports students, volunteers, and parents.