Staff
Our staff consists of one full-time pastor, and four support staff members. All staff serves 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.
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.
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.
Jessica Allen
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Christie Stegall
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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 is 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.
Lacy Lovett
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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.
Natalie Huff
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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 8 elders (including our Lead Pastor).
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."
John 15:9 {Jesus speaking} "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love."
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.
Michael Coe
Michael grew up in Soldier, Kansas on a dairy farm. He and his wife, Tami, were high school sweethearts and later married when she graduated from KSU in education in 1989. He graduated from KSU veterinary program in 1993 and received a Ph.D. in Ruminant Nutrition in 1996 while she concurrently taught at Junction City and later counseled at White City schools. He was a nutrition consultant for feedlots while they resided in Cimarron, KS; then the Lord provided a job opportunity in the western U.S. as a pharmaceutical veterinary consultant. Michael and Tami lived in Logan, UT for twenty-one years while raising a family and serving in many capacities at Cache Valley Bible Fellowship EFCA, the community, local schools, and USU. In April 2019 the Lord opened doors to move back to the Land of Oz. There’s no place like home…until HOME. Michael consults independently and works at Phoreus Biotechnology at K-State Olathe. Michael and Tami have four adult children: Heidi (Jason) Parker; Casey, James and Andrew. A great happiness is their two granddaughters.
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.
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.
Micah Stegall
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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 - 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.
Jeff is currently the chairman of our Elder Team.
