Staff
Our staff consists of one full-time pastor, and three support staff members. All staff members serve in submission to the authority of the board of Elders and must meet the qualifications found in Scripture and the church bylaws, based on their roles. 

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Dave Ballast
Lead Pastor

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 with joy. Dave and Michelle enjoy seeing new places, share a love of photography and have two children, Rebekah and Benjamin.

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Christie Stegall
Director of Student & Family Ministries

Christie grew up outside Baldwin City, Kansas, graduating from Baldwin High School. She attended John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas where she obtained her undergraduate degree in Family Studies & Adolescent Development.
After graduation, Christie returned home and worked for The O’Connell Youth Ranch serving both Juvenile Offenders & Children in Need of Care.  She transitioned her focus to working solely with JO’s and served as a Juvenile Probation Officer for Douglas County Court Services.

Christie met her husband Micah (a Living Water Elder, see below) in 2000 and married in 2001. The two have four wonderful children. After being a stay-at-home-mom for a few years, Christie began working at a local Christian School where the children attended. She eventually became Head of School after she obtained her ACSI certification & Master’s degree in Education. In the turmoil of 2020, Christie & Micah decided to transition to homeschooling their children through Classical Conversations. Christie now works as her children’s teacher and as the third and fourth grade tutor for Classical Conversations one day a week.

​Micah & Christie began attending Living Water in 2019. Christie loves sipping coffee in the mornings, spending time with her family, and watching crime dramas at night. She is thrilled to be serving Living Water through this position. 

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Natalie Huff
Custodian

Natalie grew up in Bonner Springs, Kansas. She moved to Winchester, KS in 2000, where she attended a nationally accredited pivot point school, and graduated with a certificate in cosmetology. She met  her husband John in 2005, and they married in 2010. They have four children. 

​They've been part of the Living Water community since 2015. She serves on the worship team, in children's ministry, women's ministry, and hospitality, and enjoys spending time with her church family. Natalie dances through her days, chauffeuring her children to all their sporting events, holding babies, cooking and canning, cheering on her teams, and soaking in the sunshine. 

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Sheri Floyd
Secretary

​Kansas has always been home to Sheri who was born in southwest Kansas, grew up on a wheat farm, married her high school sweetheart, reared two children, and worked in healthcare for 45 years before retirement in 2020.

​At an early age God placed a calling in Sheri’s heart to be a “nurse”.  A calling that was fulfilled in various healthcare roles and culminated with a 23 year career as a physician assistant.  Her career as a PA was the impetus for moving to northeast Kansas in 1997.  In addition to her clinical practice Sheri served 10 1/2 years as treasurer for the Kansas Academy of Physician Assistants and 9 years on the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts - PA Council.  

Sheri will be the first to say her journey thus far has been one she could not imagine and at times would not have chosen.  It has been joyfully blessed by a wonderful family, by exploring God’s awesome creation through travels, by fellowship with precious friends, and most importantly by sharing all this with Gary, her husband of 56 years.  The pilgrimage has been marked with trials, testings, and tears.  However, the most important aspect of the journey has been the constant faithful presence of Jesus Christ since Sheri made a decision to follow Him when she was in the 4th grade.  

The Floyds began attending Living Water in 2018 and Sheri recently stepped into the role of church secretary.  She is excited to see how this journey unfolds as she commits the sojourn to the Lord. 
“I couldn’t be more sure of my ground—the One I’ve trusted in can take   care of what he’s trusted me to do right to the end.” 2 Timothy 1:12 (MSG)

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Lacy Lovett
Media & Adult Discipleship Curriculum Coordinator

Lacy is a professional communicator. She graduated from MidAmerica Nazarene University, in Olathe, KS, with a bachelors degree in Business Administration & Communication. She has 20+ years of experience in non-profit, corporate, government, and healthcare fields, and is now a freelance writer\editor. She is an elected officer for a local Christian writer's group. 
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Lacy's primary life calling is as a prayer warrior, and she feels strongly about discipleship and spiritual growth. She is currently attending Trinity Evangelical Divinity School/Trinity International University in pursuit of masters degrees in theological studies and bioethics. When she isn't praying or studying, most often you can find her creating, with words, fabric, art/craft supplies, or other media.

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Elders
Our local church body is led by a board of elders, which is approved by the congregation. Elders are members of Living Water Evangelical Free Church and must meet certain qualifications as specified by Scripture (1 Timothy 3:1-7 & Titus 1:5-9), as well as the church bylaws, including maturity, godliness, and ongoing spiritual growth and education. An elder's term is 2 years, with a three-term limit. Our current elder board consists of 5 elders (including our Lead Pastor). 

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Bill Boatwright

Bill Boatwright grew up in Friendswood, Texas. He moved to Stillwater, OK in 1985, where he attended Oklahoma State University. He was saved by Jesus at the age of 21, and was called to missions trips in Africa, Central America, and Jamaica, before attending Grace Training Center in Kansas City, MO. Bill met his wife, Cheryl at church in Kansas City, and they've been married since 1996.  Together they have a son, Will, who is fearfully and wonderfully made and brings joy to all who know him. The Boatwrights moved to Oskaloosa, where he is a mail carrier for the USPS. Bill is the newest member of our board of Elders.

John 15:9 {Jesus speaking} "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love."

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Jon Henry

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Micah Stegall

Chairman

​Micah grew up in Lawrence, the son of a local pastor.  He attended Douglas County Christian School until attending Lawrence High School as a sophomore.  However, his fondest childhood memories are of the years spent on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus while his parents were there planting a church.  After his junior year, Micah obtained his GED and returned to Cyprus with his family to spend his senior year.  The following fall, Micah returned to the States to attend Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania where he later obtained a degree in Political Science.  For the last two decades, Micah has served his community as a local Law Enforcement Officer.  He met his wife, Christie, through their jobs in law enforcement, and they were married in 2001.  Together, they are raising their four children on a small piece of land outside of Lecompton.  They are big supporters of Christian Education and are currently homeschooling all four kids.  They also own a property rental business that has become Micah’s favorite pastime.  He is a self-taught handyman through the “University of YouTube” and completes the majority of repairs and remodels on the properties by himself with his family by his side.  When he’s not at work, or remodeling houses, you can find him building a chicken coop, raised garden bed, or whatever other crazy project Christie has dreamt up for him.  

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Jeff Stokes

Coming soon!

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