Our Pastors

Colonial’s pastoral staff are each uniquely gifted in areas of discernment, teaching, evangelism and care.

To get to know them a little better, just tap on their image and don’t hesistate to ask a question.

  • Pastor Jim West
    Pastor Jim West
    Lead Pastor
Pastor Jim West
Lead Pastor

At the age of 9, Jim told his grandmother that he would be a pastor. After a brief time of wanting to be a truck driver (due to the influence of Smokey and the Bandit), Jim committed his life to ministry at the age of 16 and has been serving in churches since the age of 18. Jim graduated from Wake Forest University with a B.A. in religion and received his Master’s of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. He began working in churches while a freshman at Wake Forest, and since has served congregations in North Carolina, New Jersey, Virginia, and South Carolina prior to coming to Colonial in 2008.

Jim was originally ordained as a Southern Baptist Minister in 1995. After attending Princeton Seminary, he returned to the Baptist world for seven years prior to receiving a call to serve in a Presbyterian church in 2003. Having been ordained in the PCUSA, Jim was then called to Colonial in 2008. When Colonial left the PCUSA in 2010, he became an ordained pastor in the EPC. Jim likes to joke that he’s at Colonial for life because he has run out of denominations! Jim serves as Colonial’s Lead Pastor.

Jim is an avid outdoors-man who, in most cases, would rather be fishing! Jim loves to tell stories of his escapades on the water and on the field, and some of them are even true. Jim and his wife, Christy, have four kids: Levi, Jonah, Caleb, and Kylie. Next to being saved by the blood of Christ, Jim is most grateful for the opportunity to be a husband and a dad (and the proud owner of a first rate bird dog named Molly).

Favorite Books: The Bible (of course); Mere Christianity; The Old Man and the Boy

Favorite Movies: The Mission; A River Runs Through It

  • Pastor Todd Weiland
    Pastor Todd Weiland
    Quivira Campus Pastor
Pastor Todd Weiland
Quivira Campus Pastor

Pastor Todd is the Quivira Campus Pastor. He grew up on a farm and came to faith in Christ at a summer camp. As he grew up, he knew he wanted to help people, so he thought he would become a medical doctor. Instead, his path led him into the world of business, and eventually, Christian ministry.

Todd earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and worked for eight years in the corporate world. Later he earned a master’s degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and worked at Village Presbyterian Church in Northbrook, IL for twelve years. God called Todd to Colonial in 2005. His days are spent making decisions for the campus, supporting the staff, teaching Bible studies, and helping with pastoral care. Todd loves being a pastor and helping people in their journey with Jesus.

He treasures spending time with his daughter Lauren, son Brett, son Mitchell, and his lovely wife Julie.

Hobbies: mountain climbing, biking, boating, and vacationing.

  • Pastor Bob Lehleitner
    Pastor Bob Lehleitner
    Interim Campus Pastor - Wornall
Pastor Bob Lehleitner
Interim Campus Pastor - Wornall

 

Pastor Bob grew up in St. Louis with a love for sports, particularly baseball and wrestling. Bob’s life greatly changed as a neighbor prayed him into the Kingdom while at Young Life camp. In college, he studied education, but his real interest was growing in Christ and the Word. He credits Richard Beach for leading him along this path.

Bob shared his faith with his family and neighborhood kids. After starting a small group and a Young Life Club, Bob became an Elder at Colonial, and soon after, a staff member in 1971.  He led what was then the Junior High ministry, taking them on retreats and mission trips to Mexico. Within three years, he was in charge of the Youth Staff, a group of five leaders who are still active in ministry today. Bob began his seminary studies at Nazarene Theological Seminary, and after 14 years and constant help from his brilliant wife Gwen, Bob finished his Master’s of Divinity degree.

After learning Colonial was purchasing land in south Johnson County, Bob and his family moved closer to the new church property. He led the group that met for five years at St. Aquinas School and built up the ministry within that community, ultimately becoming the site pastor of the new location, Colonial’s Quivira Campus. He is now over groups, and is currently in the role of Interim Campus Pastor.

Bob’s wife, Gwen, has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 31 years. His daughter Margi has a Master’s degree in Foreign Service and lives in the DC area. His son, Trey, works with photography and vehicle signage.

Bob’s great enjoyments are a good steak, war movies of all kinds, Broadway musicals, racquetball, vacationing in Cancun, reading God’s Word, and sharing Christ with a stranger in a random conversation. His most favorite pastime is hanging out with Gwen and taking care of the fish in his beautiful coy pond. Bob cries at commercials, good deeds done by others, thoughts of his children in days gone by, and any time he thinks hard about Jesus.

Favorite Books: historical books, particularly about the Presidents
Favorite Movie: old movies—anything with Errol Flynn

  • Pastor Mary Brown
    Pastor Mary Brown
    Wornall Associate Pastor
Pastor Mary Brown
Wornall Associate Pastor

Pastor Mary provides pastoral care and counseling, leads the Soul Healing Ministry, Women’s Ministry, support groups and discipleship groups.

Prior to becoming a Christ follower at age 35, Mary worked as the assistant director of a preschool and a home health aid where she gained experience caring for both the young and old and developed a love for all ages. God created her with a compassionate and caring heart. Mary has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Human Development as well as one in Family Life, both degrees are from the University of Kansas.

God used the passage of Scripture from John 21 to confirm Mary’s call to Colonial. In this passage Jesus reinstates Peter into ministry by asking if he loves the Lord, then instructs him to show his love by feeding and caring for the Lord’s sheep.

Mary loves to camp and fish with her family. She also loves being near the ocean. Funny thing for a gal who has lived her whole life in the state of Kansas. Mary and her husband, Dan, both grew up in Overland Park. They have two adult sons, DJ and Zach.