Student Life & Events
Meet the Team
Tim Adams
Director of Student Life & Events
Contact: TA[email protected]
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Family: I met my wife, Kelsey, while serving with K-Life Ministries. We married in 2007. We have three children: Wynndal (11), Cambre (9), Bridger (6).
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: My favorite is Q39 or Joe’s.
Most Impactful Book: JC Ryle’s Holiness; Its nature, hindrances, difficulties, and roots. Other than the Bible, it has been the most formative book for my spiritual growth and theology. It has shaped the way I think about the Lord, the way I carry myself in pursuit of a steadfast character, and the way I interact with the world.
Armando Rodriguez
Assistant Director of Student Life
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: I am from Rogers, Arkansas. This place is filled with beautiful hiking spots, Onyx coffee, which is my favorite, and home of the best shopping center, Walmart.
Family: My parents and three older siblings live in the Northwest part of Arkansas. They have supported me greatly over the last three years since I have moved to Kansas City.
Degree Program: BA, Communications and currently pursuing an MDiv in Ministry Leadership.
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: Q39!
Most Impactful Book: The most impactful book to me has been On a Ship to Tarshish by Jeff Crawford. This book uses the life of Jonah to help you discern what God’s will for your life is. When I read this book, it steered the direction of where I was headed. It helped me discern my call to ministry and also one of the biggest reasons why I am at Midwestern.
Abby Kate Richardson
Assistant Director of Events
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: I’m originally from Boyd, TX but have lived in Amarillo, TX for the last 4 years before moving to Kansas City in August of 2023.
Family: I married my best friend Keegan in July of 2023 and 8 days later we moved to Kansas City so that he could pursue a M.Div. here at Midwestern!
Degree I obtained my B.S. in Sports and Exercise Science in May of 2023 from West Texas A&M University. I’m hoping to begin pursuing an M.Div. here at MBTS this Spring.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: My favorite Kansas City restaurant (so far) is either Longboards or Mi Ranchitos.
Most Impactful Book: Through Gates of Splendor by Elizabeth Elliot. The authors hope in God’s grace through all trials and changes is inspiring and the way she is impacted by God’s call to make disciples of all nations deeply impacted my perspective on certain things.
Autumn Whisnant
SLE Office Coordinator
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Cocoa Beach, FL.
Family: I am married to my awesome husband, and we are expecting our first in the spring.
Degree Pursuing my MTS degree.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: Probably Slaps.
Most Impactful Book: The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness by Tim Keller.
Dalton Parker
Intramural Coordinator/Student Leadership President
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Benton, Arkansas.
Family: I met my wife Emma my first year at Midwestern. We started dating a year later and got married in 2022. We have two cats named Fred and Manerva.
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: Hawg Jaw.
Most Impactful Book: The Christian Ministry by Charles Bridges; its challenge to growing in ministry constantly and how to avoid inefficiency was extremely convicting for a first year seminary student.
Noah Johnson
Student Leadership Executive
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Fairview Heights, IL.
Family: Rachel (wife)
Degree Accelerate Missions (MDiv International Church Planting).
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: Q39.
Most Impactful Book: All of Grace by Charles Spurgeon.
Madelyn Hansen
Office Coordinator & Student Leader Executive
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Jefferson City, MO.
Family: I have four younger siblings.
Degree: MABC.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: Bay Boys.
Most Impactful Book: Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney.
Chesed Chipman
Student Leadership Executive
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: I’m a Kansas City native!
Family: I’m a middle child of a big family; my four older siblings live all around the Midwest and two younger sisters still live at home. My parents and younger sisters live in Kansas City and are some of my dearest friends!
Degree I’m in Accelerate, getting my BA in Communications and MA in Christian Education.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: The Hibashi House in the City Market.
Most Impactful Book: L’Abri by Edith Schaeffer.
Haeley Gallegos
Female Undergraduate RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Greeley, CO.
Family: My family lives in Greeley, CO. They are very encouraging and have supported me in coming to Kansas City and Spurgeon College.
Degree: Intercultural Studies.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: Broken Rice.
Most Impactful Book: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.
Grace Lehew
Female Undergraduate RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Sapulpa, OK.
Family: I have two wonderful parents and 5 siblings. My older sister and her husband live in KC and just had their first child. My older brother is recently married, still living in OK. I have a younger brother who just started school at Spurgeon and is by far my best friend. Then I have a younger brother (10) and sister (9) who have my whole heart.
Degree Program: Accelerate Missions: BA, Intercultural Studies; MDiv, ICP.
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: I haven’t chosen a favorite yet, but for now it’s Jack Stack BBQ.
Most Impactful Book: There’s too many to choose from. My top 3 are That Way and No Other by Amy Carmichael, Delighting in God by A.W. Tozer, and Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters by Carmen Joy Imes.
Subhash Vuppula
Male Undergraduate RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Nalgonda, India.
Family: I have two siblings – a brother and a sister. Both my parents are teachers, and they live in India.
Degree program: D.Min ( Expository Preaching)
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: Jack Stack BBQ.
Most Impactful Book:The Hidden Smile of God by John Piper.
Raul Perez
Male Undergraduate RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Juncos, Puerto Rico.
Family: I am the youngest in a family of four. My two wonderful parents live back in Puerto Rico. My awesome sister is in her senior year at Spurgeon College.
Degree Accelerate Track: BA in Biblical Studies and M.Div.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: My favorite spot in KC has to be Raising Cane’s. All I’m going to say is that I love chicken and their sauce is one of the best in the game.
Most Impactful Book: There are so many books that have been impactful on my walk with Christ. My top 3 are The Path to Being a Pastor by Bobbie Jamieson, The Glory of Christ by John Owen, and Lead by Paul David Tripp.
Eliana Livezey
Graduate RA/Upperclassman Apartment RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Baltimore City, MD.
Family: My husband Billy and I met while we were both at Lancaster Bible College in Pennsylvania. Throughout our marriage, we have lived in Maine, Oklahoma, Florida, and by the Lord’s grace, now Kansas City! We moved to Missouri in 2023 when Billy accepted the head Men’s Basketball Coaching position at Spurgeon College.
Degree MA in Biblical Counseling.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: F325 has the best burnt-ends sandwiches in my opinion!
Most Impactful Book: The most impactful book I have ever read is Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis–but also, I’ve been greatly impacted by basically everything/anything that C.S. Lewis has written!
Clayton Miller
Undergrad Male RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Lawson, MO.
Family: I have two younger brothers and two incredible parents who live in Lawson.
Degree Accelerate MDiv: BA Biblical Studies.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: Hawaiian Bros
Most Impactful Book: Holiness by J.C. Ryle.
Jackson Clark
Male Graduate RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: I’m from the middle of nowhere in a farm town called Neoga, IL.
Family: Kira is my wife and we have been married for a little over a year!
Degree I am pursuing my MDiv.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: It’s a toss-up between Joe’s and Jack Stack. I think if I had to choose one, I’d choose Joe’s.
Most Impactful Book: I think the most impactful book I have ever read is probably When I Don’t Desire God by John Piper.
Anna Patterson
Family RA
Contact: [email protected] or [email protected].
Hometown: Bettendorf, Iowa.
Family: I am the oldest of 4 siblings (1 sister, 2 brothers). I met my husband, Blake, at Iowa State University where we both studied English Education and participated in international ministry. We have a mutual love of books and authentic Chinese food! In our three years of marriage, we have spent one year serving in Bangkok, Thailand. Blake is now pursuing his MDiv here at MBTS and I am working in the Admissions office.
Degree program: Admissions Application Coordinator.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: Billie’s Grocery.
Most Impactful Book: Becoming Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn.
Blake Patterson
Family RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: St. Ansgar, IA.
Family: I’ve been married to Anna since 2019!
Degree Program: Masters of Divinity.
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: Danny’s Burger Shack! (best Onion Rings of all time).
Most Impactful Book: Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology.
Miriam Ferguson
Family RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Helensburgh, Scotland
Family: Married to Ross, three girls, Leah, Eve, and Abbie.
Degree Program: MTS, Biblical Counseling.
Favorite Restaurant: Summit Grill or Stone Canyon Pizza.
Most Impactful Book: The Hiding Place Corrie Ten Boom
Ross Ferguson
Family RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Edinburgh, Scotland
Family: Married to Miriam, Dad to Leah (12), Eve (10), & Abbie (10).
Degree Program: MDiv.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: Summit Grill.
Most Impactful Book: The Reformed Pastor by Baxter
Noah Pratt
Upperclassmen Apartments RA & Student Leader Executive
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Hot Springs Arkansas
Family: Married to Jordan Pratt
Degree Program: MDiv
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: Joe’s BBQ or Q39
Most Impactful Book: Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund and Radical by David Platt
Addy Wierck
Student Leader & Undergrad Female RA
Hometown: I am from Ankeny, Iowa, where I was born and raised!
Family: I have been blessed with the most amazing God-honoring parents as well as two younger brothers, one of whom is 6’7″! I also recently got engaged!
Degree Program: I am pursuing a Communications degree, hoping to use it in ministry.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: Q39 BBQ
Most Impactful Book: Outside of the Bible, Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper was very impactful!
Ellie Curp
Student Leader Executive
Hometown: Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
Family: I am the youngest of five children and my whole family lives in the KC area! I also have three nephews.
Degree Program: I am in the Accelerate program getting my BA in Christian Ministries and my MA in Biblical Counseling.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: Lazzarone Pizza in the River Market.
Most Impactful Book: Humility by Andrew Murray
Evan Woodall
Grad Male RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Boyne City, MI
Family: I met my wife Katie at Cedarville university. We got married in 2022 and have an 8 month old daughter named Maisy.
Degree Program: Mdiv
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: Tacos El Guero in KCK, best tacos I’ve ever had!
Most Impactful Book: Two books that marked different seasons of spiritual growth in my life are Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis and Ordinary by Micael Horton. I read Mere Christianity as a very young believer and it gave me a framework for understanding so many core beliefs of the Christian faith. Ordinary totally reshaped my understanding of what it means to be a faithful follower of Jesus.
Elise Gelman
Undergrad Female RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: I have lived in too many places to have just one “hometown.” I was born in California, lived in New York and New Jersey while I was little, moved to Salt Lake City, Utah when I was 5, and back to California when I was 11. I was 14 when my family moved to Missouri, and then they recently left for Michigan in 2023.
Family: My dad is a pastor and my mom is a stay-at-home mother. I have four younger brothers, one is in the army, one is a welder, one has 17 followers on YouTube, and the other is Gen Alpha.
Degree Program: I am in the Accelerate program working on my bachelor’s in biblical studies and my master’s in biblical counseling.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: My favorite KC restaurants so far are Pigwich in the City Market and Prime Sushi.
Most Impactful Book: Flowers From a Puritan’s Garden by Charles Spurgeon
Student Clubs
Student clubs are a great way to explore your interests and get involved on campus. Whether you’re interested in making a few running friends, joining a book club, or starting a creative writing group, this is a great way to get connected. You can contact Student Life at [email protected] for more information about joining or starting a club, then fill out a Student Club Proposal here: