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.

Sandy Feuerbacher
Secretary  

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My name is Sandra, but I answer more readily to Sandy.  My husband Wayne and I have lived in Oskaloosa since 1965.  We both grew up on farms in Northeast Kansas, and I attended a one-room schoolhouse for three years.  I love small towns.  My husband is a retired pastor and we have three grown sons and four grandchildren.  I worked for 25 years at the Bank of Oskaloosa, then retired and became the secretary here at Living Water.  In my youth I loved horseback riding and caring for infants and toddlers.  Now I love to read Christian novels. ​

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

Jeff Stokes 

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. 

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 Best 

​Bob Best graduated from Purdue University in mechanical engineering and technology and worked for a large corporation in Kansas City as a safety and environmental affairs operator until 1992. He then purchased and operated the Lake Perry Yacht and Marina until 2005. Bob and his wife Debby live in Ozawkie and enjoy traveling in their motorhome with their dog Missy. Bob and Debby have four sons and a daughter. Bob may have graduated from Purdue but roots for the Kansas Jayhawks. 

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. ​

Kevin McCarter  -  Chairman

​Kevin McCarter graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelors in Animal Science. He owns horses, dogs, goats, ducks, cats, and chickens. All are well cared for. Kevin used to work at the Topeka Zoo. He is a football fan especially when it comes to K-State football. Kevin is always up for making a joke and is an outgoing people person. He and his wife Sharon have 3 boys, Dallas, Houston, and Austin. The McCarter’s live on a farm between Oskaloosa and Winchester.  
Kevin is currently the chairman of our Elder Team.