About Our Staff
J. Nathan Rovenstine
Lead Pastor
Nate was born and raised in Kansas, with a brief stint in Oklahoma. He is a graduate of Oklahoma Wesleyan University and Nazarene Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Janet, moved to Lawrence, their first and only pastorate, in 1987. They have enjoyed 25 years of marriage together. They are proud of their three girls, Chelsea, who lives in Sioux Falls, SD, Jamie, an education major at OWU and Kylie, 16.
Nate believes in the local church. He agrees with Bill Hybels when he calls it the “hope of the world.” To that end, he is committed to helping LWC fulfill its God-given vision to attract, accept, change, and send. He also believes in churches working together. This is why he has such a passion for and is committed to working with the Leo Center.
As a life-long fan of the Royals, he is delusional enough to believe that they will return to their glory days. Some of his greatest childhood memories happened at Kaufmann Stadium. You may see Nate out enjoying his newest hobby, running. But don’t interrupt him; his best thoughts happen while he runs.
Jamie Prescott
Youth Pastor
Jamie also graduated from Oklahoma Wesleyan University with a degree in Pastoral Ministry (don’t tell anyone he’s one credit short of having a minor in youth ministry). He’s been serving as Youth Pastor at LWC since 1999. Truly a kid at heart, Jamie loves hanging out with teens, doing what they do. At least, what some of the more adventuresome do – cliff jumping, snowboarding, wakeboarding, etc. He has a passion to see kids grow closer to God by building relationships with them and modeling Christ as they spend time together.
Even though Jamie has always enjoyed music, he never imagined that God would use his talents to help lead worship or play drums. God has not only gifted him, but also grown his desire to help people experience God through music.
Jamie and his wife, Barb, are the proud parents of three beautiful children, Garrett, 10, Layne, 8, and Keat, 6. Check out the youth website (www.2ndwindyouth.com) to see how much he loves to dance.
Derek Atkinson
College Pastor
Derek serves as pastor of our college students and young adults. He is also our Lead Worshipper. Derek is originally from San Diego, California where he grew up as a pastor’s child. His family moved all over, living in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Indiana. Derek attended Oklahoma Wesleyan University where he received his bachelors degree in youth ministry. From college, Derek transitioned to seminary life in Jackson, Mississippi where he received his masters at Wesley Biblical Seminary. After graduation, Derek married Holly and moved to Lawrence. They have been married 4 years and Derek couldn't be more in love with his wife. Derek and Holly also served as missionaries in Manaus, Brazil for a year in 2007-08. Right up there with leading young people, Derek is also very passionate to lead God's people here at LWC into the throne room of grace through worship. It's not just being a worship leader for Derek; he wants to be the lead worshipper, letting his passion of exalting Christ show all the way.
Currently Derek and Holly do not have any children, but are looking to adopt internationally, and begin having their own. Derek enjoys golfing, softball, mowing his lawn in a meticulous manner, ironing his shirts, watching football with his friends, playing with his dog Sammy, Wendy’s 99 cent menu, happy hour at Sonic, and spending time with Holly.
Elizabeth Scheib
Director of Congregational Life
A native of the "sunflower state", Elizabeth and her husband David moved back to Kansas in 1998 after spending a few years in Texas. It was in Texas that Elizabeth surrendered her live to Christ. Coming to Christ as an adult gave Elizabeth a unique perspective of how visitors and new Christians feel when they are seeking a church home. She has developed a passion for seeing adults grow as they become more connected through Bible studies, church social events, and volunteering in ministry.
Elizabeth joined the staff of LWC in January 2004, leaving the corporate world of advertising and marketing behind. In addition to adult groups and guests, she oversees the communications aspects of the church, which, if you know Elizabeth’s “gift” for conversation, is not hard to understand.
Elizabeth and David are the parents of two awesome sons: Hunter, a self-professed computer geek, and (not surprisingly) computer science major at Missouri University of Science & Technology in Rolla, Missouri, and; Harrison a "light artist" who is pursuing his passion for photography as a freshman at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana.
Mary Adams
Director of Fine Arts
Mary grew up in northeast Missouri and graduated from Truman University in Kirksville, MO, with a degree in music education. She moved with her family to Lawrence in 1999 by way of Kansas City North, Seattle, and Kentucky. Mary and Neal have been married for 25 years and they have a daughter, Molly, who is married to Zach. And they are the proud grandparents of a beautiful baby girl Lotus. Neal and Mary also have a little boy who had down syndrome and is now living with Jesus. Because of this, they have a passion for special needs children and their families.
Mary has been a substitute teacher in the Lawrence Public Schools since the fall of 2001. She loves the connection she gets to make with the kids at school. In September of 2005, Mary began using her talent and passion for music here at LWC. She is excited about helping people of all ages use their gifts to worship and serve God.
Holly Atkinson
Director of Children's Ministries
Holly Atkinson rejoined our staff in 2009 after spending a year on a mission trip with her husband Derek in Brazil. She originally began serving as Director of Children's ministries in 2005 fresh out of Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Holly grew up in South Carolina where her parents and two brothers live today. She loves her time with the LWC kids but also enjoys helping her husband with college ministry. Holly and Derek have a dog named Sammy they brought back as a souvenir from Brazil, as well as a hyperactive Jack Russell terrier named Tucker. If you have questions about the ministries our church offers to families with children (newborn to 5th grade) just ask Holly. Her favorite new website is jellytelly.com. Parents and kids check it out together and let her know what you think!
Administrative Assistant
Barb is a full-time mom, who uses her time to serve as an assistant for her husband, Jamie, and Elizabeth. She loves the creative aspect of her job, like creating bulletin boards, as well as writing and editing the bulletin and newsletter. She especially enjoys being able to work with her husband each day and likes to take care of the details that allow Jamie and Elizabeth to focus on their ministry.
Cindy Thompson
Administrative Assistant
Cindy joined our staff as an administrative assistant in November of 2007. She truly enjoys serving the staff and the church family. Cindy and husband Ted both grew up in Lawrence and graduated from Lawrence High. Since she has family members that have graduated from both high schools now, Cindy considers herself a “Firelion”. She is also a KU graduate and Jayhawk fan. Cindy and Ted have been blessed with a daughter, Lindsay, who is married to Josh Pannell; two sons, Andrew and Zackary; and four grandchildren, Jillian, Olivia, Ellanor, and Owen. Cindy and Ted like spending time with family and going out to the lake. They also enjoy watching Zack play soccer and his trumpet (though not usually at the same time).
Currently, there are no staff listings available. Please check back regularly.