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 as 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, and Archie, with their fourth arriving in January. 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.
joyce thayer,
ministry assistant
Joyce joined the Oakwood staff in 2020. After more than thirty years in the corporate world, Joyce came out of retirement to use her gifts and experience to support the staff and office at Oakwood. She and her husband, Chuck, have three grown children, several grandchildren, and enjoy spending time with their family and serving the Lord in a variety of ways at their church.