Leadership in the area is growing less centered in clergy more focused in leadership teams in congregations.  The staff of the area office and the Executive Team of the area board exist primarily to serve leadership teams in congregations.  We desire to help leaders and their leadership teams to do two basic things well:

• Equip disciples to be competent, focused, and confident engaging with Jesus in missions that matter
• Mentor disciples to continually become more Christ-like

If you are seeking help in any of these disciplines, we would like to visit with you.  You may contact any one of us.

Bill and Donna Rose-Heim lead a NW Area pastoral staff of 6 part-time volunteers including Jack and Dixie Burks, Doyle Farmer, Ken Jameson, Sandi Mull and Tom Russell.  The 8 NW Area Pastors serve and support pastors and other leaders in 68 congregations in mostly rural Northwest Missouri.  There are plans to add an additional six volunteer area pastors to make it possible for every local pastor to enjoy consistent, personal support tailored to their particular contexts and missions.

The Rose-Heims began serving the NW Area, each half-time, in 2000.  They are graduates of St. Paul School of Theology where they were married in 1986.  They have five children, and one grandchild.  Donna wrote and published "Dream Walking," a book of 28 spiritual exercises for women ( available at Amazon.com) and is a frequently invited guest speaker at gatherings of women throughout the U.S.   Bill serves in a variety of capacities in local and state emergency services and economic development, writes music for worshipping communities, and is working at developing a trans-denominational network of missional congregations in NW Missouri.

In 2007, the NW Area began a coaching relationship with Dr. Richard L. Hamm, Disciples of Christ General Minister and President (1995-2003) and now the executive administrator of Christian Churches Together and coach with The Columbia Partnership.  Dr. Hamm works with the NW Area Staff, clergy cluster, and individual pastors as together we help congregations to become more mission-shaped and more deeply engaged within their communities. 

Ken and Sue Jameson joined the Northwest Area staff in September 2007.  Click here for the news release.

Area Pastors   Jack Burks   Dixie Burks   Doyle Farmer   Ken Jameson   Sandi Mull

Each area pastor gives primary leadership to at least one area of support: Jack and Dixie Burks:  Pastoral Care and Disciples Women   Doyle Farmer:  Continuing Education for Clergy and Congregational Leaders   Ken Jameson:  Small Rural Congregational Leadership   Sandi Mull:  Mexico Mission Partnership Development   Bill Rose-Heim:  Missional Church Initiatives and Wider Church Relations   Donna Rose-Heim:  Pastoral Search and Call and Outdoor Ministries   Tom Russell:  Congregational Mediation and Team Development

Office Administrator Jan Shrewsbury oversees the administrative work of the NW Area.  Together with her team of volunteers from nearby congregations, Jan sets the bar high for hospitality and support for visitors, staff, and members of area congregations. Camp Coordinator Sue Jameson Webmaster  Brian Bullock has designed and regularly updates this website.  He is available to help congregations maximize the use of their on-line tools.