Our Elders
Chuck Thayer - NATHAN CLARK - RICK BAUMGARTEN
BLAKE MOORE - RUSS Taylor
OUR DEACONS
RICK Baumgarten | GARY Clark |
KYLE Collier | DOUG Raymond
Our Staff
Russ taylor, lead pastor
Pastor Russ joined the OBC staff in April 2003, serving as both Student Pastor (2003-06) and Associate Pastor (2006-14) before accepting his current position.
Russ was born and raised in Kansas City, graduating from Lee's Summit High School, Calvary Bible College, and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Russ’ wife, Melissa, is the Elementary Math Coordinator for Raytown Schools. Russ and Melissa have three grown children: Jake, Emma, and Luke.
Though raised in Missouri, only God and family are dearer to his heart than KU basketball.
ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!
blake moore,
assoc. pastor to families
Pastor Blake joined the Oakwood staff in 2023. Before Oakwood, Blake was the Associate Pastor/Elder at Redemption Baptist Church in Nacogdoches, Texas, overseeing worship, administration, and general pastoral responsibilities.
Blake and his wife, Kelli, have four beautiful children: Elijah, Adeline, Archie, and Margaret. Born and raised in Southern Oklahoma, Blake holds a bachelor’s in religion from the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. He enjoys music, reading, board games, hiking, movies, and anything else that gets him around the people he loves.
Carol Bowers,
ministry assistant
Carol is in her second stint in this position, having previously served Oakwood from 2016-2019. She returned in 2024 to ply her sweet spirit and administrative gifts in further service to our church family. Carol’s husband, Bill, is a retired pastor who offers pulpit supply to local churches. They live in Independence and are faithful members of a sister church.