ABOUT US

The Duties of the Elders
They are most commonly referred to as our elders, but can also properly be designated to by such terms as pastors, shepherds, bishops, overseers, presbyters, etc. Though the church employs a fulltime evangelist, it is the elders who are the primary spiritual leaders of the congregation. It is the elders of a congregation who are charged by God (1) to watch over the church, to feed it and to protect it as a shepherd cares for his sheep. The elders are commanded to exercise the oversight over the congregation, but they do so as caretakers, not rulers. (2) It is the task of the elders to make sure the flock of God is properly nourished on His word, but they do not have the authority to make laws for the flock which were not handed down by the Chief Shepherd ( Jesus the Christ ) through His word, the bible. (3) Our shepherds are loved and held in high esteem among us because of the spiritual work that they do.

Jerry Faulkner - Elder	Born in Harrisburg, Arkansas in 1946, his parent were members of the Church of Christ as long as he can remember. They moved to Wichita in 1955 and they attended at Emporia Ave Church of Christ. He was baptized at the Poplar Ave Congregation. He has worked for Cessna Aircraft for 9 years then to Boeing for 22 years where he retired. He then went to work for Spirit Air Craft for the last few years. He has been married to Lynette for 27 years. He has been an Elder here for about a year.
Ron Hatcher - Elder	Ron was raised in Blackwell, Oklahoma where he attended the Blackwell Church of Christ. Ron has attended here at 47th St. since August of 1992. He is actively involved in the youth group, serves as song leader, teaches youth & adult classes and occasionally preaches when needed. He is employed by Spirit Aerosystems in Wichita as a sheet metal mechanic. He and his beautiful wife Sheila, have four children.
Bill Kelly - Elder	Bill Kelly was raised in Rose Hill, Kansas. He began attending Church in Wichita as a teenager. Bill was involved with the youth and served as a Deacon while attending the Rose Hill Church of Christ in the 1980’s. Bill has been a member here at 47^th Street for about 9 years and an Elder since 2004. Bill is married to Glendena and they have two grown children and three grandchildren.

Minister Byron Barrientez	Byron was born and raised in Great Bend, Kansas. Brought up in the Church of Christ he would later attend BCCJC, OCC and WSU. God Smiled upon him and blessed him with a Christian wife Susan, four boys and one girl. Byron always enjoyed public speaking, Bible study, and Preaching so he tried out at 47th St in 1994. The Lord has blessed this congregation because they are a group of people dedicated to serving God and Loving one another.

Deacons
Lavern Dredge	Was born in Blockton, Iowa and moved to Wichita in 1957. His family began attending the 47th St Church of Christ when he was 2 year old. Lavern worked for the City of Wichita in the Body Shop for 10 years until he retired in August 2006 due to health reasons. He is married to Sharon and they have 5 grown children and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Lavern is the Maintenance Deacon and does what he is able to within his restrictions, to help keep the building in good repair.
Richard Runk	Born 1936 in the State of Pennsylvania. Baptized at Newark Church of Christ in Arkansas in 1956. He has been a member at 47th St for 30 years. Worked for Wonder Bread Bakery 29 years then spent 10 years working in the Energy Center of St. Francis Hospital.
Joe Tobey	Joe Tobey and wife Ruby have three grown children and six grandchildren. Joe and Ruby have been married 50 wonderful years. Joe retired from the Wichita Eagle several years ago. Joe serves as a song leader and Treasurer. Joe also spends much time in helping with the upkeep of the building.
Grover Williams



Teachers - Young People
Suzy Barrientez
Ron Hatcher
Sheila Hatcher
Tom Henry
Tim Barrientez
Ruby Tobey
Grover Williams