Minister & Staff

Dr. Monte Gravenstein

Dr. Monte Gravenstein came to Lake Ozark Christian Church on February 1, 2011, the day of the great blizzard of 2011. Dr. Gravenstein and his wife Dorothy quickly became our spiritual leader and friend.

A native of Topeka, Kansas, Dr. Gravenstein earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. He attended Brite Divinity School of Texas Christian University and earned the Master of Divinity majoring in Theology and Preaching.

Dr. Gravenstein later earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from Brite Divinity School TCU with the emphasis of Pastoral Counseling and a thesis on building Single Ministry in the Church. He has always emphasized church growth, and program development in the church.

The Gravenstein children are Pam Stead, Mark Gravenstein and Gayle Brunson. They all are active in service professions.

Among his professional interest has been a five year term on the General Board of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ and a five year term as a Trustee of Phillips Theological Seminary.
Dr. Gravenstein is happy to serve a friendly growing congregation located in a wonderful new building, committed to ministry programs for children, youth, young adults and mature committed Christians, discovering their spiritual gifts in God's will.

Choir Director, Kristin Chisham

Kristin graduated high school, with honors, from Newton High School in 1990.  She attended Emporia State University for two years before transferring to Wichita State University where she received her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance in 1996.  Kristin earned a certificate in Image and Wardrobe in 2003 from the Academy of Fashion and Image.  From 2003 to 2004 she pursued the Distance Master of Business Administration Degree.

Presently Kristin teaches Middle School and High School Choir, Honors Choir and Show Choir at Blair Oaks Public School.  She is responsible for teaching all aspects of choir and general music at the secondary level.  She has produced several concerts and performances throughout the school year and at the present time is teaching on a part-time basis.

Kristin plays the oboe in the Lake Area Orchestra and Jefferson City Symphony.  She also plays the piano and sings.

Kristin's husband, Dan is the instrumental director at Blair Oaks Schools.  They have two children, Caitlin age 8 and Clarissa age 5. Contact Kristin

Cindi Conley & Amy Miller ~ Children & Youth Programs

Cindi Conley leads our Chi-Rho group for junior high students, as well as helping out with our children's programs.  Cindi is a local business owner and renowned for her fun children's craft activities.

Amy Miller leads our children's programs.  She worked on the School of the Osage pre-school program and has extensive experience working with youth in crisis, youth development and early childhood education. Contact Cindi or Amy

Debby Eakle, Church Secretary

Debby Eakle brings a variety of skills to our church office.  She has experience and training as an EMT, police officer, and firefighter, in addition to a broad range of office skills.  She grew up in Rochelle, Illinois where her father was choir director in the Baptist church.  Both her parents worked with the youth group.  Debby and her husband, Scott, moved to the Lake area in 2009 to be near their daughter, Chelsea, who is attending Columbia College.  Contact Debby.