Welcome Our New Pastor
Smithville First Christian Church is thrilled to announce our new Pastor, Reverend Laura Guy! Please join us in warmly welcoming her to our community as she begins her ministry with us. The board cast their votes and approved her on Monday, January 20th, followed by the congregation’s approval on Sunday, January 26th. We look forward with great anticipation to the direction in which God will lead Pastor Laura and our church!
Note from Pastor Laura
Hello, Smithville First Christian Church! I want to thank all of you who have welcomed me so warmly. We’re just beginning this new relationship, and there are so many things I’d like to share with you – my hopes and prayers and dreams for the ministry we will accomplish together. But we will have time for all of those important conversations in the weeks and months to come.
For today, let me tell you about the practical information you need to know.
Where to find me – My plan is to be in the office on Mon, Tues and Wed for the next few months. I will generally be around from 8-3, however, when there is an evening meeting, I will come in later in the day and stay late. If I’m working in the office, feel free to pop in and say “hi.” I discovered today that my office stays much warmer when the door is closed, so I have an open door policy with a closed door! Just knock, and I’ll welcome you in. On Thursdays, I will work from home – mostly doing sermon prep. I’ll check email throughout the day and answer calls as they come in. If you really need to see me, please make an appointment with me. Pastors often get called away, even when they are in the office, so if I have a meeting with you on my calendar, I’ll be sure to be in the building when you come by.
How to contact me – When I’m in the office, you can call the church and ask for me. My email address is laura.guy@smithvillefirstchristian.org. You are also welcome to call or text me on my cell phone. That number is 913.515.3720. Fridays will be my day off, so I might not return any communications on those days, however, if there is an emergency, I will do my best to get back to you as soon as I can.
What to call me – I am fine with Laura, or Pastor, or Pastor Laura, or even PL! If you really want to call me Rev. Guy, that’s ok, too.
What will upcoming sermons be about? – I’m so glad you asked! I am starting a new series on Sunday called The Bible in 5 Sermons. We will cover the whole arc of the biblical story in the next five Sundays, beginning with Creation and the Fall this Sunday. It’s also Scout Sunday, so we will have the scouts leading much of the service.
Starting next week, I’ll be contacting you about finding a time when we can spend 20-30 minutes together so I can get to know you. I’m really looking forward to those conversations!
God’s peace,
Laura
Biography
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 12 years with Ten Thousand Villages (now Crafted) 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 21 years. Together, they share a vibrant family life 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 daughter, Beth Guy, serves as the Communications Director for Global Ministries and has a rich background in mission work.
Let us give thanks for God’s faithfulness as we prepare for this exciting new season in our church!