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Merle Mees Lead Pastor
The Personnel Committee is excited to welcome Merle Mees as our Lead Pastor!

In a business meeting Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007, the congregation gathered to get better acquainted with Merle during a question and answer time. Then, members voted 330 to 2 to extend a call to Merle Mees to be our Lead Pastor, and Merle accepted that call. We are pleased to welcome Merle and his wife, Karen, to our Pleasant Valley church family.

Merle's Background

Merle most recently served as Director of Ministries and Teaching Pastor at Westside Family Church in Lenexa, Kan. Prior to that, he served for 14 years as pastor of Western Hills Baptist Church, Topeka, Kan. While in seminary, he and Karen were members of our church. His mission is to live in such a way as to cause others to applaud Jesus.

What is a Lead Pastor?

Some of the qualifications that have been established for the position of Lead Pastor include: experience in a large church, vision and core values that align with established PV vision and core values; formal theological training; excellent teaching and leadership abilities; ability to team with Vernon in a creative and mentoring relationship, and excellent spiritual and character qualities. We believe Merle meets and exceeds these qualifications.

Here at PV, Merle will work alongside Pastor Vernon in areas of leadership and teaching. Two purposes will be accomplished because of this staff addition. First, Pastor Vernon will be able to share his current responsibilities of staff and committee leadership. He and Merle will also begin teaming together in regular teaching and pastoral responsibilities. This will allow growth into new and needed areas of church ministry. Second, this staff addition will provide a planned opportunity to mentor and prepare Merle for the overall leadership of our church in the coming years.