REVEREND LAURA GUY – PASTOR
Laura.Guy@smithvillefirstchristian.org
Rev. Laura Guy brings a wealth of experience, passion, and faith to this role. A second-career pastor, Rev. Guy initially served as a third-grade teacher in Olathe schools before following God’s call to ministry. She earned her Master of Divinity degree from Saint Paul School of Theology and was ordained in 2005.
While in seminary, she founded Living Water Christian Church in Parkville and led the congregation from 2004 to 2021. Most recently, she served as the Great Plains Congregational Engagement Director for DART, a faith-based organizing nonprofit.
In addition to her ministry work, Rev. Guy has a deep commitment to community service. She has volunteered for over 13 years with Crafted Fair Trade (formerly Ten Thousand Villages) in Overland Park and served on the Shawnee Mission School District Board of Education from 2018 to 2022.
Rev. Guy lives in Overland Park with her husband, Clif Guy, who has been the IT Lead Director at Church of the Resurrection for 22 years. They spend much of their free time with their two grown children and two grandchildren who live nearby.
Ministry runs deep in the Guy family. Rev. Guy is part of a lineage of Disciples of Christ pastors spanning three generations. Her father-in-law was a Disciples pastor, and her daughter, Beth Guy, has served as a Global Ministries Mission Intern in the Caribbean.
STEVEN CORNWELL – MUSIC COORDINATOR
Steven Cornwell is a Kansas native and graduate of Fort Hays State University. He graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s in music theory and composition. While there, he served for five years as the choir director of First Baptist Church in Hays, KS and performed in the Fort Hays concert choir, Fort Hays singers, symphonic winds, wind ensemble, marching band, as well as the Fort Hays operas and musicals.
He has studied voice, piano, clarinet, bassoon, and recorder, and is teaching himself to play the church organ. His musical interests include classical voice, barbershop choir, musical theater, and a smattering of popular styles.
POLLY MCCANN —ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
polly.mccann@smithvillefirstchristian.org
Polly joined our staff in June of 2025. She is the person on the other end of the line when you call our church office. Polly serves as the “hub” of church communication, coordinating the office, facilitating information distribution, and providing hospitality to all who interact with the church. In her other career, Polly is the Executive Director of Creative Spark Gallery on Englewood Row in Independence, Missouri. An artist, poet, book designer, and speaker, she has shown art internationally crediting much of her creative work to her master’s thesis on the subconscious creative process, which won her an Ernest Hartmann Award.
RADER MILLER – CUSTODIAN & TREASURER
Rader and his son, Max, faithfully care for the church building each week, cleaning and maintaining the facility so that it is always ready for worship, meetings, meals, service, and community groups.
In addition, Rader puts in many hours handling the church’s finances. efficiently and ethically. He oversees a team of counters and works with our finance service, Miller Management, to manage our church finances so that we are well-equipped and well-positioned to engage in vital ministry throughout our community. Rader also monitors the church attendance records.
CHLOE EASTON – NURSERY ATTENDANT
Chloe is our Nursery Attendant. She takes care of your little ones in the nursery during worship so you can enjoy the service and they can, too. Chloe is a senior at Smithville High School. She runs cross country and track and is president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
CHERYL HILL – FOOD PANTRY COORDINATOR
Cheryl volunteers as our Food Pantry Coordinator.
The Food Pantry is open to Smithville residents, or those in the Smithville School District, on Tuesday mornings from 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. There is also a Blessing Box available 24/7 for those in need, and she and the pantry volunteers keep this stocked.
Cheryl has been a member of Smithville First Christian Church for over 50 years and serves in many capacities, but her primary focus is keeping groceries stocked, organized, and up to date for families who need a little help.
In her spare time Cheryl enjoys spending time with her great-nieces and nephews.