Students
Colonial Student Ministries exists to help students become passionate, selfless followers of Jesus Christ. We strive to make disciples of Jesus through building relationships, living out the Gospel, teaching Biblical truth, and providing a ministry of presence.Overland Park Campus: On Sunday morning our students meet at 10:30 AM in the LightHouse.
South KC Campus: On Sunday mornings our students meet at the 9:15 AM Sunday School hour. Middle and high school students meet at HILLTOP, the building across the parking lot from the main building, in the High School youth room.
Weekly programming for students 6th-12th grade is also offered during the week at both campuses- check out GROUPS below.
Summer Staff
College-Aged Students Living Out the Gospel of the Kingdom Since 1971
Colonial Summer Staffers are college-aged students who are dedicated to the Kingdom of God and have a heart to serve within youth ministry. We hire between 15-20 people every year who minister in all four quadrants of our student-ministry dept (wornall middle and high, quivira middle and high) as well as our College ministry. They live together in the church, serve together in the ministry, and worship together in community. In the mornings they are ‘poured-into’ (through bible studies, seminars, spiritual disciplines, and devotionals) while in the afternoons they ‘pour-out’ (through incarnational ministry with teenagers).
Our Fearless Leaders
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Michael OttoDirector of Student Ministry - Overland Park Campus
Michael Otto
Director of Student Ministry - Overland Park Campus
Growing up Michael always thought that if he was a good enough person he would make it to heaven one day. When he was 14 he realized it wasn’t about what he did or didn’t do, but what Jesus did for him on the cross, and since then he’s tried to model his life around this truth every day.
When Michael was a kid he always dreamed of going to art school and becoming a graphic designer, but when he was 17 God called him into ministry and he landed at Manhattan Christian College the following year. Michael also met his wife Krista during college and he eventually convinced her to date him and then be his better half. After graduating college with a ministry degree Michael has been involved in ministries like Young Life and a church in southwest Missouri.
Krista this spring accepted a teaching position in Grandview, MO and Michael was interviewing at a couple tech companies, when he got an exciting text from Becca Gallion about the high school guys leader position at the OP campus. Michael has been very familiar with Colonial since college and almost immediately knew that this was where God was leading him and his family through prayer and getting to know the staff and parents. Michael works with 9-12th grade guys-growing in relationship with them, reaching out to new students as well as being a part of the student staff team and focusing on ministry partners and parent involvement.
Since moving to Kansas City Michael has loved being closer to family, friends and loves spending time with his girls: Krista, their daughter Elliana, and their golden pup named Daisy. Outside of that he enjoys exploring KC and finding the best coffee shops in town, writing, watching Oklahoma football, and attempting to learn to play the guitar.
Favorite Band: Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors
Favorite color: forest green
Enneagram: 7
Favorite food: Anything from Twisted Fresh
Favorite movie: The Breakfast Club
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Alex Dressman GulickDirector of Student Ministry - South KC Campus
Alex Dressman Gulick
Director of Student Ministry - South KC Campus
Growing up, Alex was filled with creative wonder and a joyous spirit. She enjoyed playing with the neighborhood kids and having her hands immersed in some art project. Needless to say, her kindergarten aspiration of being a professional figure skater did not pan out.
Alex earned a double Bachelor’s in Religion & Culture and Psychology from William Jewell College with a leadership certificate in completion of Jewell’s 3-year Pryor Leadership Program. Following graduation, Alex took a position as the High School Coordinator at Jacob’s Well Church, where she worked for a year and a half. Alex’s ministry background also includes work and volunteer experience at Kanakuk Kamps (K-2), Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Kansas City K-Life, and Youthfront.
Alex sensed the Lord calling her to full-time youth ministry and when this position opened up, she was excited to apply in light of what she’d heard about Colonial from numerous people in her community. In addition to overseeing 6th-12th grade programming, Alex intentionally invests in the lives of the students at the South KC Campus. From attending sporting events to grabbing coffee with a few girls, Alex meets students in their daily lives with the hope that they will encounter Christ and experience a true relationship with God. She is passionate about mobilizing and emboldening young people to be ambassadors for Christ in their schools, among their friends, on their teams, and wherever they go.
Having played DII soccer, Alex now enjoys training female youth goalkeepers as a coach for Finesse Soccer Academy. She also keeps her hands busy with a side calligraphy/hand lettering business. Outside of work, Alex enjoys being outside, drinking coffee, playing tennis, and hanging with friends and family.
Favorite book: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Food: Cajun and Lebanese
Favorite animal(s): Dog & White Butterfly
Favorite show: So You Think You Can Dance
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Riley RobertsHigh School Leader - Overland Park Campus
Riley Roberts
High School Leader - Overland Park Campus
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Molly BiasMiddle School Girls Leader - Overland Park Campus
Molly Bias
Middle School Girls Leader - Overland Park Campus
Molly fell in love with Kansas after serving as a Summer Staffer, so much so that she has left Jacksonville, FL to serve here full time! She shared, “I fell in love with the youth group, the students, the Colonial community, Midwest- everything! And it solidified my decision to pursue middle school ministry.” She has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Media Studies with a concentration in Production Technology and a minor in religious studies.
