Grant Clay, Pastor of Preaching & Vision

Grant grew up in the Seattle area of Washington State.  After finishing his B.A. in Religion at Whitworth College, Grant spent the next four years working with at-risk youth through First Covenant Church in Spokane, WA.  He recently graduated from North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL with a Masters in Divinity.  He joined the staff as Associate Pastor in 2005.  Grant oversees Small Groups, Spiritual Formation, and assists with pastoral care and the teaching ministries.

Grant enjoys quality time with his wife and daughter, studying theology, outdoor activities, movies and strategizing how to change the world.

Bob Stratton, Pastor of Outreach & Assimilation

As Pastoral Assistant, Bob’s primary helping people get connected to the church family and become involved in ministry to others.  A Clay Center native, Bob and his wife, Linda, have two children and three adorable granddaughters.  Bob also loves children, sports, and cooking.

Dane Wutke, Worship & Senior High Youth Pastor

Dane Wutke grew up in Girard, KS and attended John Brown University where he earned a degree in Youth and Worship Ministries. Dane came on staff in July of 2008 as the High School Youth Pastor and the Worship Pastor. He loves playing sports, being outdoors, playing guitar, and enjoys a nice conversation over a cup of Starbucks coffee. He loves to be random and spontaneous!

Jana Cott, Junior High Youth Pastor

Jana grew up in Clay Center, KS.  Following graduation at Kansas State University, she taught fifth grade in Wichita, KS for several years.  She moved back to Clay Center and began teaching and coaching junior high.  After volunteering with youth group for a number of years, Jana came on staff as youth pastor in 1999, where she leads a lively group of over 35 junior high and over 70 senior high students!

In her spare time, Jana enjoys scrap-booking, hosting parties, power walking, and going on dates with her “hubby.”  Her favorite night of the week is Family

Julie Chestnut, Children’s Pastor

Julie grew up in Littleton, Colorado. She graduated from Hastings College in Nebraska, majoring in Economics and Business Administration, and then worked in her family’s investment firm. After marriage and children, she became active in several preschool programs. The family moved to Clay Center in
1994 and she became the director/teacher of the Ark Preschool at the the Covenant Church. Now as Children’s Pastor, she ministers to children (birth through grade 6) and their families.

In her spare time, Julie loves to spend time with family and friends, read, garden, and visit family in Colorado.

Jan Keim, Worship Ministry Coordinator & Children’s Worship Ministry

Jan grew up on a farm southwest of Manhattan, graduating from Kansas State University in 1977 with a B.S. in Home Economics Extension.  There Jan met her husband Jerry and upon his graduation, moved to Olathe, Kansas.  After ten years, the family (mom, dad, and four kids) moved to the Keim family farm outside of Wakefield, Kansas and child number five was born.  Jan substitute taught in the Clay County School District for two years.  In the spring of 2007, she came on church staff dividing her time between worship coordinating duties and children’s music ministry.

Jan loves to compose music and musical accompaniment, write, hike, paint, knit, work outdoors, ride horses and spend time with family and friends.