Richard Burks, II is a semi-retired insurance executive.   He earned an undergraduate degree in business from Eastern Kentucky University.  Dick is a member of Douglas Blvd. Christian Church.  He is married to Janie Burks (former LTS Trustee 2000-2003).

Ken Cottrell is an Optometrist serving in Lexington at both Nathanial Mission and Mission Lexington. Ken is a long-time supporter of LST @ LTS (Lay School of Theology @ LTS) and Lay Ministry School. He is married to The Rev. Dr. Jan Cottrell, an Episcopal Priest, Licensed Pastoral Counselor, LTS graduate and member of the Equipping Faithful Leaders Campaign Committee.

Leslie Geoghegan’s professional career spanned almost twenty-five years in information technology, operations improvement, strategic planning, and project management. The majority of her career was spent as a management consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers. She has an undergraduate degree in mathematics from University of Kentucky and an Master of Business Administration from The University of Louisville.

Leslie has utilized her professional experience to serve the local community for the last twenty years, especially in the areas of fundraising, strategic planning, financial oversight, construction management, and board leadership, through a variety of organizations, including: Beargrass Christian Church Official Board and Endowment Board, University of Kentucky Lewis Honors College External Advisory Board, Kentucky CAN campaign leadership council, Louisville Arena Authority, World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana, and Louisville Collegiate School. She is the 2019 recipient of the LTS President’s Award. Leslie and her husband Ron are members at Beargrass Christian Church.

Brian Gerard currently serves as Senior Minister of Middletown Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He began his ministry at MCC in February of 2021 after serving as the Senior Minister of First Christian Church of Louisville for just over 18 years. Brian also served First Christian Church of Montgomery, AL from 1998-2002.

Brian received his bachelor’s degree from Phillips University (’94) and his Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School (’97). As part of his seminary education, he served as a chaplain at Connecticut Hospice, completed one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Methodist Hospitals of Memphis and three units at Yale-New Haven Hospital. While in seminary, he also edited the book, Common Passages: Devotions for Seminarians by Seminarians (Chalice Press).

Brian is married to Carrie Gerard, who is ordained in the Christian Church (D.O.C.) and is the Executive Director of Eastern Area Community Ministries in Louisville. Brian and Carrie have two sons.

Donald K. Gillett, II has devoted tremendous service to the Kentucky region. He has served as senior pastor at East Second Street Christian Church in Lexington for 22 years. Then June 2017, he served as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Council of Churches for over four years and is a contingent faculty at Lexington Theological Seminary.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, TX; a Master of Divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago; a Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN; and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Lexington Theological Seminary.

He is currently the chair of the UCMS Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He is the immediate past President of the National Convocation Board of Directors for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He has been the Chair/Co-Chair of the Division of Overseas Ministries Board of Directors of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Co-Chair of Global Ministries of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ and the United Church of Christ. He is also a former Moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) In Kentucky and President of the Kentucky Christian Missionary Convention.

He began his ministry as Regional Minister of the Christian Church in Kentucky on August 1, 2021

William Kirkland is an attorney that practices general litigation in the areas of insurance defense, administrative law contract law and commercial law. He also frequently handles wills, trusts and estates along with related issues of guardianship and conservatorship. He holds an undergraduate degree in Economics from Centre College and Vanderbilt University J.D. He attended LTS for professional study.

William Lee is a retired minister after serving Loudon Avenue Christian Church for nearly 40 years. Bill is the CEO/Owner of Devised Visions, LLC. He holds an undergraduate degree in Special Education from Virginia State University, a Master of Divinity Duke Divinity School and Doctor of Ministry degree from Ashland Theological Seminary. Bill has served on the boards of the Pension Fund, the General Board, the Black Disciples Endowment Fund, National Convocation and Greenwood Cemetery. Bill and his wife Dana are members at Loudon Avenue Christian Church.

William H. McConnell has been the Senior Minister at Hillside Christian Church since November 1, 1990. He is a native of Kentucky and pastored congregations in Kentucky, Indiana and Arkansas prior to corning to Wichita. Bill graduated from Campbellsville University with a Bachelor of Science and Lexington Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity. He received his Doctor of Ministry from Lexington Theological Seminary in 1988.

Bill has Chaired the Board of Directors for Disciples Home Missions, served on the Kansas, Arkansas and Indiana Regional Boards, Kansas Committee on Licensed Ministry, Kansas Stewardship Committee, Arkansas Stewardship Resource Team, Commission for Higher Education, Campus Ministry Boards, and even on the President’s Delta Commission to Combat Poverty. Bill also served on the General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.

Kyle McDougal joined the staff as Associate Minister at First Christian Church Bowling Green in 2015 after completing her Master of Divinity degree at Lexington Theological Seminary in 2013, and upon ordination, served as Resident Minister at Central Christian Church in Lexington, KY. Kyle is married to Chris Rowe, and they have one child.

Nathl Moore is a native of Huntsville, AL., and is the son of Harold and Delois Moore. He is married to the former Evelyn Faye Scott, a native of Pittsburgh, PA, and is the father of four. Pastor Moore accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized under the pastorate of Rev. T. C. Johnson of the St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Huntsville, AL.

He is a graduate of Tuskegee University, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science. He is a Master of Divinity graduate of Lexington Theological Seminary (2011) and a Doctor of Ministry graduate of United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH. He was employed as a Systems Analyst from 6/1996-8/2000 by Ethicon Endo-Surgery, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson in Cincinnati, OH. He served not only as a team member but also a team lead to implement various IT solutions and strategies that covered Ethicon plants from Cincinnati, OH to Juarez, Mexico, and supported on-site employees as well as off-site sales representatives.

Pastor Moore currently serves as the 14th Pastor of First African Baptist Church and in May 2011 received his Master of Divinity Degree from Lexington Theological Seminary and received his Doctor of Ministry Degree from the United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio in May 2017.

Vicki L. Ray is the minister at Antioch Christian Church, Lexington Kentucky.  She received this call in 2022.  She served 12 years as the minister for Salvisa Christian Church, Salvisa Kentucky.  She has provided service and leadership in Kentucky congregation through pulpit and interim ministry including First Christian Church, Morehead and Crittenden Christian Church.  She has served as camp counselor and director for Christian Church in Kentucky for over 30 years. 

She received her Master of Divinity degree from LTS in 2007 and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Transylvania University in 1971.  Prior to the call to ministry Ms. Ray served in the Kentucky state government as a Manager, Drinking Water Branch / Division of Water / KY Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet of water quality and control.  Vicki and her husband, Ray live in Waddy Kentucky.  They have both been long time members of the Lay School of Theology.  Vicki was elected to the Alumni Council in 2012 and elected President in 2016.  As part of her responsibility, she participated in Board of Trustee during her tenure.  In addition to her service on the Alumni Council she worked with Dean Rich Weis on the Self Study Committee as an alumni representative.

The Rays were donors to the Infinite Table Campaign as well as hole sponsor for the annual LTS Golf Scramble, sponsoring a hole for the Lay School of Theology.

The Rays are parents of three adult sons: Scott, Brian, and Jeremy; and three grandchildren:  Finlay, Tallula, Eliza.

John Reed is a CPA and founder and president of Bottom Line Services in Ft. Mitchell, KY. Bottom Line Services is a financial services company with offices in Ft. Mitchel, Williamstown and Aurora IN. His company’s clients include church congregations and clergy. John has served as moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Kentucky region and as a member of the Disciples of Christ General Board. He and his family are members of Florence Christian Church, Florence, KY.

Julie Richardson is the Vice President of Programs and Development at Pension Fund. In this role, she oversees all aspects of fundraising and Ministerial Relief and Assistance (MRA) programs, including the Excellence in Ministry initiative. She as a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Berry College located in Rome, GA and a Master of Divinity, from Lexington Theological Seminary . She has over 15 years in congregational youth ministry, including service in Georgia and Kentucky, extensive nonprofit experience in volunteer management and fundraising.  She has published two books and a Lent devotional with Chalice Press. She is the proud mom of Maddy and a member of Beargrass Christian Church in Louisville, KY.

Carolyn Richart is a lifelong member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) beginning at Central Christian Church in Youngstown, Ohio, continuing at Beargrass Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky following a move in high school and finally, Central Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky since 1985.

Carolyn earned a B.S. degree in Education at the University of Kentucky and is a 2000 graduate at the Lexington Theological Seminary with a Master of Art in Theology. She served as an Associate Minister at Central Christian Church in Lexington from 2000-2011, primarily in the areas of adult faith formation and small group ministry. As a parishioner at Central she has served in many capacities, including as chair of the board of elders, choir member, Sunday School teacher, small group leader, and board member of St. James Place. Since her retirement she has completed a three-year training program to become a Spiritual Director through the Sycamore Spiritual Center. She is currently honored to walk spiritual journeys with several directees.

Carolyn has been married to Harry Richart for 38 years and they enjoy their family of three sons and three grandsons. She remains active as a member of Central Christian Church.

Scott Ross was born and raised in Crofton, Ky., He graduated Christian County High School before attending the University of Kentucky where he was awarded a degree in Pharmacy. He returned to Hopkinsville, Ky and practiced pharmacy there for 46 years, 30 of which he co-owned Save More Drugs in Hopkinsville, before retiring at the end of 2019. Mr. Ross is married to Mary Bess Cayce. They have 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren. Their youngest daughter, Rev. Anne Bruce, is pastor alongside her husband Rev. Jeff Bruce of First Christian Church in Glasgow.

Mr. Ross’ home church is First Christian Church in Hopkinsville where he has served as a Deacon, Elder, Trustee, Past Board Chair, Leadership Council chair, Chair of the building renovation and addition committee, Chair of two subsequent capitol campaigns to finance the building addition project, Youth Group sponsor, Youth Sunday school teacher, adult Sunday school teacher, and for the past 28 years has taught the same adult Sunday School class that is a different one than the aforementioned. He has served on almost every Functional committee and team ministry we have at First Christian during the 47 years he has been a member there, as well as several ad hoc committees related to Pastoral Relations, Pastoral search committee, visioning, and training for Deacons, Elders, and Trustees. He has served on the West Area Board of Directors.

He is very interested in working with at risk children in our area, most importantly seeking to share faith with them, but also being involved in their lives and hopefully encouraging them in several different ways to be the best person they can be, as God intended them to be.

J.J. Santos is the Quality and Compliance Manager for St. Elizabeth Physicians in Crestview Hills, KY. His wife Ria is a physician in the same practice, and they are members of Erlanger Christian Church in Erlanger, KY.

Rev. Dr. Katie Sexton has served as Executive Director of Arizona Faith Network since 2019, leading statewide interfaith initiatives focused on justice, community resilience, and faith-rooted community organizing. An ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and trained community organizer, she brings experience in nonprofit leadership, congregational ministry, and higher education, working to build partnerships that strengthen communities and advance the common good.

Rev. Dr. Sexton previously served as Senior Pastor of Coolwater Christian Church in Scottsdale and spent over a decade working in higher education. She holds a Doctor of Ministry and Master of Divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary, a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management, and a Master of Arts in Christian Studies from Grand Canyon University.

In addition to her role at AFN, she serves as Board President of the Justa Center and on the Board of Directors for Bread for the World.

Erin Wathen was called to serve Grace Immanuel after a yearlong process in January 2022. A native of London, Kentucky, Rev. Wathen is a graduate of Transylvania University, and of Lexington Theological Seminary, where she earned her Master of Divinity in 2004. Since her ordination, Rev. Wathen has served as senior minister for Disciples of Christ congregations in Phoenix, AZ, and in the Kansas City area. In 2019, she and her family (husband Jeremy and their 2 children) moved back home to Kentucky, settling in Louisville. For the past 3 years, she has worked for the disaster relief ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  During her previous calls, Rev. Wathen was involved in leadership roles at the regional and national levels of the church; written the popular blog “Irreverin” on the Patheos interfaith network; published two books; and earned a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership (CNP) from Rockhurst University.

Rev. Wathen was the 2010 recipient of the Fred Craddock Award for Excellence in Preaching. Her most recent book, “Resist and Persist: Faith and the Fight for Equality,” was a 2018 Publisher’s Weekly Book of the Year, and an Indie Book Award winner. She still enjoys writing, as well as hiking, cooking, music, and spending time with family and friends. She is passionate about refugee ministry, social and economic justice, and gender and LGBTQ equality.

Daniel Webster retired as pastor of First Christian Church, Gainesville, FL in 2017. Daniel holds a B.A. from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Divinity from LTS. He was also certified as a church world service domestic relief coordinator. Daniel and his wife Nel have dual membership at First Christian Church, Gainesville, FL and United Church of Gainesville.

Jim Wheeler was born and raised in Carrollton, Kentucky. He is a graduate of Carroll County High School, Transylvania University, and Lexington Theological Seminary.

He is blessed to share life with his wife of thirty-nine years, Rhonda Wiley Wheeler. Rhonda has always been very active and supportive of all ministries in the life of the church, while also having her own profession in higher education. Jim and Rhonda have three married daughters (and sons-in-law) and four grandchildren.

Jim is a lifelong member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), having grown up in the Carrollton Christian Church in Kentucky. He has served congregations in Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina and Florida. He is currently Senior Minister of First Christian Church (DOC) in Lawrenceburg, KY, where he has served since 2002.

When not working at the church, he loves spending time with family and watching football and basketball, and going to UK women’s basketball games with his granddaughter.

Throughout his career Jim has served with many local agencies to help fight poverty and hunger. He has served on many boards including the Christian Church in Kentucky, Alumni Association for LTS, Ministerial Associations, Literacy Council, KY Council of Churches, Hospice, Alzheimer’s Association, Domestic Violence Council, Chamber of Commerce, and on an ethics committee for a local hospital. He has also served as a mentor for several students attending seminary during his career.

Kathryn Wilson retired in April 2022 from ministry at South Joplin Christian Church, where she served since graduation as Minister of Mission and Outreach. Wilson is a native of Louisville, KY and was a resident of Xenia, OH from 1979 until relocating to Joplin, MO in 2012. She plans to return to the Dayton, OH area. She received her Master of Divinity from LTS in 2010, Master of Science in Education from Eastern Kentucky University in 1980 and a Bachelor of Arts from University of Louisville in 1974. Rev. Wilson is a second career pastor, having served 31 years in public employment.  Upon graduating from college, she taught school in Kentucky and Ohio from 1974 until 1980. After twenty-five years of service as a probation officer in Greene County, OH, she retired in December 2005. 

She has participated in the Board of Trustees as a student representative.

Rev. Wilson is the proud mother of Daryl Hughlett and Candis Wilson (Xenia, OH), and stepmother to Regina Abernathy (Atlanta, GA); the grandmother to nine wonderful grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.  She truly enjoys spending time with her family and extended family although distance now makes this more difficult.