Rev. Dr. Mark R. Schulz
Senior Pastor
Pastor Mark is the Senior Pastor at Trinity and the lead pastor at the Mission campus. His greatest joy in ministry is connecting people to the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ and helping them grow as followers of Jesus. Pastor Mark has been with Trinity since 2013 and has served in pastoral ministry for over thirty years in Omaha, Chicago, and Kansas. He enjoys working out, watching all sports, and working in his yard. Pastor Mark and his wife, Nancy, have two adult daughters.
Rev. Philip Cook
Lead Pastor, Shawnee Campus
Pastor Phil is an Associate Pastor at Trinity and the lead pastor at the Shawnee campus. His greatest passions in ministry are seeing people find help, hope, and freedom in Jesus from the pain in their life caused by sin, and to help people know and follow Jesus more closely in their lives. Pastor Phil joined Trinity’s staff in 2015 after serving nine years in the Dallas area. He enjoys being outdoors and enjoying God’s creation, and playing with tools. Pastor Phil’s wife, Rebeka, is his partner in ministry as they raise three children.
Rev. Luke Jacob
Pastor of Discipleship
Pastor Luke is the Pastor of Discipleship at Trinity. His greatest joys in ministry are sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others and seeing the body of Christ at work in the world around us. Pastor Luke joined Trinity’s staff in August of 2021 after serving 13 years in Racine, Wisconsin. He enjoys running, watching sports, movies, and board games. Pastor Luke and his wife, Courtney, have three young boys.
Rev. Ronald Flentgen
Pastor Emeritus
Pastor Ron is Pastor Emeritus at Trinity, assisting with Bible class teaching and occasional preaching. His greatest passion is to work with Holy Scripture to relate the Gospel to the lives of God’s people. Pastor Ron has served in the pastoral ministry since 1964.
Rhonda Synovec
Children Family Minister
Rhonda is Director of Family Life Ministry across both campuses, serving children, youth, and their families. Her passion in ministry is to equip families to grow together in their faith and love for Jesus. Rhonda began her ministry at Trinity as a volunteer in 1992 and later joined the staff part-time before transitioning into family life ministry in 2014. She enjoys time with friends, traveling, watching musicals, concerts and plays, and reading.
Beth Stephens
Youth Family Minister
DCE Beth Stephens is the Youth Family Minister at Trinity. Her greatest joy in ministry is reminding students and their families that while we live in a world full of change and confusion, our God is constant and clear. Beth joined Trinity’s staff in 2018. Previously she served in Battle Creek, Michigan, for three years. In her free time, she likes to find good books to read, trails to get lost on, lakes to kayak, and new places to eat or get coffee.
Jo Ann Emerson
Preschool Director
Jo Ann is the Director of Trinity Lutheran Church Preschool and loves working with our preschool families. After 16 years of teaching elementary school, she began teaching at the preschool in 2011 and assumed the director role in 2016. Jo Ann serves on the Christian Early Childhood Association’s Board of Directors, which seeks to bring early childhood experts and presenters to the metro area. In her spare time, Jo Ann enjoys shopping for bargains, reading psychological thrillers, baking sweet treats, and walking her dog, Sweetie.
Dr. Lara L. West
Minister of Music and the Arts, Organist
As Trinity’s organist, Lara leads congregational song, accompanies the choir, and provides preludes and postludes for worship. A lifelong Lutheran, she served as music minister at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lawrence for thirteen years before joining Trinity’s staff. She enjoys shape note singing, contra dancing, traveling to the mountains, and speaking German. Lara and her husband, Eric, live in Atchison, Kansas, where they both teach at Benedictine College.
Dr. Brett Robison
Choir Director
Brett directs the Trinity Choir at the Mission campus. He brings a passion for choral music and music ministry to this role and has served churches for over twenty years. Most recently, Brett had been an assistant professor of music and the director of choirs at Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI. He also has a passion for arts administration and is currently serving the Topeka Symphony as their executive director. Brett and his wife, Jennaya, have three children and one grandson.
Brandon Draper
Director of Contemporary Music
Brandon Draper has enjoyed a celebrated career as drummer, percussionist, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and educator. In addition to freelancing and teaching, he currently performs as a solo artist, multi-instrumentalist. Currently Draper is on music faculty at the University of Kansas where he teaches jazz drums, world percussion, steel band and is the director of Music Enterprise certificate combining music business and entrepreneurship.
Brian Daniel
Administrator
Brian is the Administrator at Trinity providing support to the Mission and Shawnee campuses. Prior to joining Trinity Brian was a small business owner for 20 years in the Kansas City metro area and adjunct economics instructor at Baker University. He enjoys family time and outdoor activities including gardening, camping, and spending time at the family farm.
Gretchen Hollman
Office Supervisor
Gretchen serves as a central hub of information and communications for the church as editor of the electronic newsletter and webmaster. Gretchen has served at Trinity since 2012. She enjoys family time, marching band events, singing, and sewing.
Julie Flores
Staff Support
Julie serves as support for several key accounting functions for Trinity, among other support tasks. She is married with two small children. Julie enjoys scrapbooking, playing the piano, and playing outdoors with her kids.
Jennifer Estes
Staff Support
Jennifer provides office support for the staff. Her responsibilities include maintaining the prayer list and preparing worship slides. Jennifer enjoys baking, reading, and spending time with her family.
Nicholas Monroe
AV Technician
Nicholas serves as audio/visual technician, overseeing sound systems and livestreams for Trinity. Nick is a composer and sound engineer, and enjoys tea, biking, and making music.
