Leadership

Shawn serves as Lead Pastor at Country Club and believes some of the best things happen when people make time for one another, especially around a table. He loves good conversation, thoughtful questions, shared meals, and helping people discover how faith might take shape in the ordinary places where we live our lives.

He spends a lot of time wondering what the church might become if we practiced the love of Jesus with our neighbors, made room for curiosity, and weren’t afraid to try something new.

Away from church, you’ll usually find him reading, writing, sharing a meal with friends, or trying to convince his dog not every walk needs to be an adventure.

A Missouri native and seasoned ministry leader, Stephanie joined Country Club UMC in 2025 to guide adults in growing as apprentices of Jesus through small groups, spiritual practices, and mission-driven community.

She’s passionate about creating spaces for connection—whether it’s through a new group, a community partnership, or a conversation over a cup of coffee. She brings a global heart for discipleship and relationship-building, having worked in several local churches and international not-for-profits.

Stephanie is a proud aunt, frequent traveler, and lover of Duke basketball. She holds a B.A. from Drake University and is completing certification in immigrant advocacy through Villanova University.

Mom, Wife, Creative Thinker, and Efficiency Expert

Based in Kansas City, Toni is a proud mom to two active daughters, Bri and Adi, who keep her on the go with their school and sports activities.

With years of experience as an assistant, Toni has mastered the art of organization, creativity, and problem-solving. She is passionate about streamlining processes, enhancing productivity, and helping others reach their goals with innovative and practical solutions.

Outside of her busy schedule, Toni enjoys staying active through workouts, indulging in some retail therapy, and enjoying time with her family and friends.

Talented. Sophisticated. Passionate. Need we say more?

Jamie helps couples turn wedding plans into wedding days. As Country Club’s Wedding Coordinator, she walks with couples from their first planning conversation all the way to the moment someone heads down the aisle.

She loves being part of a day when two people commit their lives to one another before God, and hopes couples feel both her excitement for them and the reassurance that the details are in good hands. Organizing people, timelines, and moving parts comes naturally to Jamie, who also owns her own event-planning business. Country Club holds a special place in her story too: she was married here more than 20 years ago.

Away from weddings, Jamie loves reading, cheering on her daughters, and escaping to Anna Maria Island with friends. Ask her how she stays organized. You’ll want to take notes.

Lexi graduated from the University of Central Missouri with a B.S in Psychology and Child and Family Development, and has been working with children in ages infant-preschool since 2012. She has been with The Grove ELC since 2018. She is passionate about the Reggio Emilia approach, the exploration of loose parts, and creating a classroom environment that acts as the third teacher. She enjoys spending her free time reading, or outdoors with her husband, Dominic, and children, Sawyer and Carlo. She also has a big, lovable dog named Kugels. 

Hello! I’m Baylee. I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Child and Family Development from the University of Central Missouri in 2018. I also hold a minor in Psychology and another in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. Through nearly a decade, I have held multiple roles in childhood education; such as leading infant and toddler classrooms, teaching in a group style daycare, as a para educator working with children with sensory processing differences, intellectual and physical disabilities and as a Kindergarten prep teacher. I find much joy working with children and have found my home here at The Grove ELC! I have a high interest in the Reggio-Emilia Approach, child-lead learning, documentation, and designing functionable classroom environments to serve as the “third teacher”. Some of my favorite activities to do with my students are sensory experiences (all forms of messy play), science, and writing/literacy. It is unbelievably rewarding for me to witness a child master a new skill! I have a daughter named Arvella and she enrolled in Pre-K here! I am also married to my husband, Tyler. My favorite hobbies include spending quality time with friends and family, cooking with my husband, baking and playing with my daughter.

Sky grew up helping care for her siblings and has experience caring for children from newborns through age 12. She’s also part of The Grove Early Learning Center staff.