The Staff

 


 

 If you wish to contact a staff member please click on their name.

Pastor

Randy Johnson

Randy is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University with a B.S. in Church Recreation and a Minor in Psychology. He also graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Religious Education. He is currently serving on the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention.

 

Randy & Janice have two grown children; Jason and Joshua.

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Minister of Education & Administration

 

Denny Marr

I received Christ as Savior and Lord at age 11 and was baptized at First Baptist, Mt. Vernon, MO in the Spring of 1967.  I had no idea how that event would dominate the direction for the remainder of my time in this world.  As a teen the Lord called me to serve in full time ministry.  After graduating from Mt. Vernon High School I attended Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, OK and then Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO where I graduated in 1981.

 

The Lord used my love for music and for people to direct me to three different churches as Minister of Music and Youth.  During those years I was privileged to attend Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary during which God prepared my heart to serve here at Calvary Baptist.

 

I met Dorothy, my wife of 30 plus years at First Baptist, St. Robert while in college.  From there we took our blessings, Amy and Emily with us to First Baptist, Licking, MO where God blessed us again with our son, Aaron.  From there we went to Red Star Baptist in Cape Girardeau, and then in 1995 we came to Republic. 

 

Our children and their spouses have given Dorothy and I seven grandchildren, and number eight will arrive in late summer.  We are blessed beyond expectation.  The Lord has further enriched our lives with many friends from among our church family as well.  I anticipate a great moving of God among us as we join hearts and hands in reaching our city with the gospel of Jesus.

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Minister to Students

 

Dan Updegrave

Dan serves ast he Minister to Students (7th grade-College Age).  He graduated from Missouri State University with a B.S. in Music Education (Vocal & Instrumental).  Dan has been a member of Calvary since 1994 and has been the Minister to Students since 1999.

 

Dan and his wife Tory have been married since 1999.  Dan is also involved with the Springfield Homeschool Orchestra & Band Program and the Springfield Youth Leaders Network.

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Interim Director of Preschool and Children's Ministry

 

Krystal Richardson

 

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Minister of Worship

 

Ben Kendall

Ben is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in fort Worth Texas.  Ben has served churches in Texas, South Carolina, Ohio and the country of Spain before coming "home" to Missouri.  He has traveled extensively on mission trips to Spain, Honduras, Bahamas, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Portugal, Norway, and Canada.  Ben and his wife Carrie are foster parents and have a passionate ministry to children who pass through their home.

Ben and Carrie have one son, James.
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Associate Teaching Pastor

Richard Baker

Richard is a graduate of College of the Ozarks with a B.S. in Business and Psychology. He also graduated with a Master's of Divinity degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Richard serves on the Board of Trustees for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary serving on the Student Development, Audit, and Investment Committee’s and is a Financial Advisor with Lawing Financial. Richard is married to Sara and they live in Nixa, MO with their daughter, Anna Grace and son, Micah.


 

Office Manager

 

Tory Updegrave

 

Tory is a graduate of Missouri State University with a Bachelor's in Accounting and a Master's of Business Administration.  She has been Calvary's Office Manager since September of 2000. Besides being involved in the office she is also involved in the Youth Ministry, with her husband Dan (the minister to students), playing the clarinet and handbells and singing in the choir.

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Head of Custodial Maintenance

 

Lowell Carder

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Custodian

 

Terri Dean

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Receptionist/Ministry Assistant

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Diane