Staff

Dave Ballast
Lead Pastor

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Pastor Dave and Michelle Ballast each grew up as the child of missionaries, Dave in the Philippines and Michelle in Papua New Guinea. They witnessed the power of the gospel to redeem and restore hearts. They watched as His light shined in the darkness and the darkness was not able to overcome it. Michelle graduated from Baylor University’s School of Nursing and then attended the University of Texas in Arlington where she received her Masters of Science in Nursing in 1995. Pastor Dave graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana and then attended Dallas Theological Seminary, where he received his Masters of Theology in 2003. Dave has been Lead Pastor of Living Water since 2005. His heart is for the people of God to be a family that love one another and grow deep in the grace that is ours in Jesus Christ. Dave and Michelle enjoy seeing new places, share a love of photography and have two children, Rebekah and Benjamin.

Benjamin Hardee
Associate Pastor of Families

Pastor Benjamin and Sarah Hardee each grew up in northeast Kansas. Benjamin Hardee has served as Family Pastor at Living Water since January of 2014. He is a pastor’s kid who loves the church because Christ loves the church. Pastor Ben is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois – a school that is passionate about training the future leaders of the body of Christ around the world. Ben also holds a Master’s Degree in theology from the University of Bonn in Germany. Ben and Sarah (Woodhead) Hardee were married in the summer of 2011 and have one son, named Cyrus Elijah Hardee, and one daughter, named Roseanna Ruth Hardee. Sarah is a graduate of Calvary Bible College in Kansas City and serves on the Worship Team and alongside Ben in family ministry. Together they enjoy coin collecting, riding Ben's motorcycle and watching Jayhawk Basketball and Royals’ Baseball.

Jessica Allen
Secretary  

Jessica was born and raised on a farm in Gridley, KS. She graduated college from Emporia State University with a business degree in Information Management. Then she moved to Kansas City where she was a Software Developer/Project Manager/Supervisor for 12 years at DST. She met her husband Ashley at DST, who was a native Nebraskan. They were married in 2006, and they have 2 young boys. In 2016 they decided to move their family to Oskaloosa to be a part of a small town community. Jessica was a stay-at-home mom when they first moved to Oskaloosa, and after a few years became the secretary here at Living Water. She loves to make cards to send encouragement to others, cook, read, and be part of her boys’ active lives. 

Elders
Our church has a leadership team comprised of elders and pastors. 

Jon Henry

Jon is a native son of Jefferson County. He grew up in the Nortonville area 15 miles north of Living Water. Jon married Judy on August 29th 1987. Over the last 30 years they have raised 4 kids, 2 boys and 2 girls. Jon is in management at the Lawrence Paper Company where he has worked for 33 years. Jon loves to spend time outdoors hunting and fishing especially with his boys. Jon has served on the Oskaloosa School board for over 10 years and as an elder at Living Water church.     

John Brown 

John was born in Oklahoma and was the 4th out of 16 siblings. John graduated valedictorian of his class. In Oklahoma he learned to farm, hunt, and fish, activities which he still enjoys. He moved to Kansas and began working at General Motors in 1964. While at General Motors John met Sarita. John was Sarita's team leader and boss at the plant. Sarita says, "she married John so that she could be his boss." They retired after 30 years and decided to build a log home near Winchester, Kansas. Building the log home was a challenge but John is efficient and always up to the task. They now enjoy the retired life with 3 children, 9 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. 

Sarita also works at Living Water as the custodian.  

Bob Crowe 

​​Bob was born in Battle Creek, Michigan and he and his family moved to Fresno, California when he was 12.  He graduated from Reseda High School in 1965 and joined the Air Force that summer.  He was stationed at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Kansas and served there till 1968.  Bob and his wife, Marlene, own and operate their own business, working on pollution control equipment in the canning and printing industry.  Bob likes to hunt, fish, watch sports and has taught Sunday School and Bible Study classes for the past 35 years.  He and Marlene have been married 50 years and have 3 children, 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.  They have lived about 7 miles Northwest of Oskaloosa for the past 40 years.  

Jim Jones 

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Jim Jones served his country in the Navy where he joined the Navigators, a fraternal group of Christian men who promote scripture memory and Bible study. Now in his mid-70’s he still farms and is loyal to the John Deer brand. He and his wife Vickie love to travel and R.V. in the winter after the harvest. You won’t be keeping up with the Jones; they have 7 kids 18 grandkids and 4 great-grandkids. Jim and Vickie live on a farm in rural Winchester, Kansas. ​

Jeff Stokes  -  Chairman

​Jeff grew up in Merriam, KS and received a degree in Business Administration from Kansas University. He was a business owner for many years in real estate, construction and business consulting. His wife Lisa was born in Oklahoma and moved to Kansas City in her teens. Jeff and Lisa were high school sweethearts and married while in college. Lisa was instrumental in leading Jeff to understand the gospel through her witness. In college, Jeff and Lisa were active in a college discipleship group. After graduation, they served in many church roles including being part of 2 new church plants. In their last church in Shawnee, KS , Jeff served as a elder for 20+ years and 8 years as Executive Pastor. Lisa has served as Children’s and Women’s Director, and many other roles. Together they were active in LifeGroup leadership and the personal discipleship of others. Jeff and Lisa have 2 grown boys who are married and 3 grandchildren whom they adore. Jeff can be found on warm evening nights fishing on what the Jeff Co. locals affectionately call Lake “Dab O Water”. Lisa can be found in a flowerbed planting or pruning her favorite flowers. They enjoy traveling together (especially to warm climates). They moved to the McLouth area from Lenexa, Ks and love being part of Living Water Church. 
Jeff is currently the chairman of our Elder Team.