Staff
Dean Tomlinson
Lead Pastor
This is Dean’s second time on staff at Westbrooke church. Dean is an ordinary guy who loves Jesus and loves people. His heart is to help people cultivate personal intimacy with Jesus and then to live on mission loving others intentionally. Dean has been married to his best friend, Jen, since 1996, and they have been blessed with two young adult children. He loves to fish, read, exercise, and spend time with friends and family. One of his favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 5:17–“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away, behold, new things have come.”
Joel Stark
Associate Pastor
Joel began his ministry with Westbrooke in August 2023. He has served in ministry for over thirty years as a youth pastor, missions pastor, and lead pastor. His passion is to see God glorified by expanding God’s kingdom upon the earth through the process of making disciples who make disciples. He and his wife Ellen have been married since 1989 and they have two grown children (Caleb and Jacob). He is crazy about Husker football (born in Lincoln) and loves to fish, hang out with family, play games, and binge-watch a good Netflix series. Joel is also a big fan of old school country music. His favorite verse is Romans 1:16,
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”
Josh Tomlinson
Youth Director
I love Jesus. I’m just a simple guy with a heart for ministry and for connecting with people. Having done various things in the past I look forward to continuing my transition through Westbrooke at this internship to encourage and help more people along their walk with Jesus.
Kirk Merritt
Worship Director
Kirk grew up in Merriam, then his family settled in Shawnee, Kansas. His grandmother gave him his first piano lesson at 7 years old. During his college years he got the opportunity to play professionally, traveling with Christian artists. Kirk felt the call to worship ministry at 18 years old when God connected him with his mentor. Kirk grew up in a Christian home and has three siblings. His parents are his heroes, and he honors them for their faithfulness to the Lord and each other. Kirk is married to his amazing wife, Gretchen. She is a breath of fresh air, and it is a joy to share his life with her. She loves Westbrooke Church and is involved in the women’s Bible study. Kirk enjoys the outdoors, hunting, camping and cooking out.
Chuck Reade
Interim Administrator
Karen Zable
Linda Conklin
Office Coordinator
Linda moved to Kansas City in 1987 from Morton, Illinois. She and her husband Bobby have attended Westbrooke since 2008. They have found Westbrooke to be a welcoming and friendly church dedicated to Jesus and making disciples. It is Linda’s joy to serve the Westbrooke church family. Her favorite verse is Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Elizabeth Schutte
Children’s Ministry Director
Elizabeth, and her husband Jeff, have attended Westbrooke Church since 2015. They have three grown children. Elizabeth is passionate about sharing the gospel, discipling others, and prayer. For Elizabeth, the Children’s’ Ministry is an opportunity and privilege to serve families, children, and volunteers through discipleship and the ministry of God’s Word for the glory of God.
For Christ’s love compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: if One died for all, then all died. And Christ died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Becky Rouse
Communications Coordinator
Becky has been a part of Westbrooke since Oct. 2019. She is a widow with four sons and one granddaughter. She comes from a big family of ten children and grew up on a farm in Missouri. She moved to Kansas in 2012. She worked 34 years in accounting for the US government. She loves baking, bicycling, sewing, traveling, and going on long walks while listening to Christian blogs. Becky enjoys serving God in a variety of ways and is blessed to be a part of the Westbrooke family.
A favorite bible verse is John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
Richard Taylor
Custodian
Richard has faithfully served Westbrooke for 30+ years now. He was born in Independence, MO and now calls Lenexa home.
A favorite bible verse is John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”