Today we’d like to introduce you to Gavin Cole | Public Relations Associate Pastor.
Hi Gavin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
A Brief History of Refuge Church
In 1971, John and Rhodana Morgans, along with their family, relocated to Liberty, Missouri, where they began hosting Bible studies in their home. As attendance grew, the congregation was graciously provided a house—free of charge—to serve as their first official place of worship.
On the first Sunday of 1972, the church held its inaugural service in that home, marking the formal beginning of the ministry. That same year, in February, the church became the first in Missouri to receive support from the United Pentecostal Church International’s “Christmas for Christ” initiative, a program dedicated to funding church planting efforts.
By 1976, the growing congregation relocated to 1310 E. Highway 10, meeting in a space known as “The Party Room.” The church remained there for three years while faithfully raising funds for a permanent facility.
A significant milestone came in 1979. Groundbreaking for a new church building took place on March 25, and the church was officially incorporated on July 2. Later that year, on December 15, the congregation held its first service in its newly constructed building located at 1315 Nashua Road, near the Liberty water tower and adjacent to Lewis and Clark Elementary School.
After nearly four decades of faithful leadership, Pastor John Morgans retired on June 7, 2009. Shortly thereafter, Gary Dornbach was elected as the new Lead Pastor. He, along with his wife Jacqueline and their infant daughter Kiera, relocated from Wisconsin to Missouri to continue the work of the church.
In 2010, the United Pentecostal Church of Liberty underwent a name change to become “Refuge Church.” Under Pastor Dornbach’s leadership, the church cultivated a culture centered on growth, hope, and spiritual refuge, resulting in steady and consistent growth.
By 2018, it became evident that the church was nearing capacity in its existing facility. In response, Refuge Church launched a stewardship campaign to prepare for future expansion. Initial plans included purchasing land in Liberty and constructing a new building. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a dramatic rise in construction costs, prompting leadership to reconsider their approach.
After a season of prayer, research, and discernment, Pastor Dornbach and his wife felt led to pursue a different opportunity: a former Catholic church property in Independence, Missouri. While the original vision had been to remain in Liberty, it became clear that this new location aligned with the direction God was leading. Rather than new construction, the project would involve extensive renovation.
This transition came with notable challenges. The church had already sold its Liberty property, yet the renovation in Independence was not complete. Graciously, the purchasing congregation allowed Refuge Church to continue meeting in the Liberty facility until August 2024, providing valuable time during the transition.
In August 2024, Refuge Church held its first service in the new Independence location—despite ongoing construction. With unfinished walls, concrete floors, and temporary seating, the congregation gathered faithfully each week. Even in less-than-ideal conditions, the church experienced remarkable growth, increasing from consistent attendance in the hundreds to over 200 weekly attendees. This season served as a powerful confirmation of God’s direction.
As renovations progressed, the facility was transformed into a welcoming and functional space designed to serve families throughout the Independence and Kansas City area—offering a place to experience hope and share it with others.
During this season as part of its ongoing mission to “experience hope and offer hope,” Refuge Church expanded its vision to include church planting in surrounding communities. That year, the church acquired an additional facility in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, and launched a new campus with a dedicated pastor and team. This new work is actively serving the community through preaching, outreach, and meaningful connection, extending the message of hope to a broader region.
In April 2026, Refuge Church celebrated a record attendance of over 380 individuals on Easter Sunday, marking another significant milestone in its journey.
Today, Refuge Church continues to look ahead with faith and expectation, committed to both strengthening its existing ministries and launching new works as God opens doors—continuing to experience hope and offer hope to every community it serves.
Here are some additional links that may help share the story as well
Recap Video We Shared With Church:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-j4IMpK0rRsRRnqc3u-2JYYjDTNPs51N/view?usp=sharing
Possible Renderings of what we thought it would look like and casting vision
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16Rm-qoHz-lHfg_WOO0jmPNgEJbjto_aE?usp=sharing
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Navigating renting a facility while trying to renovate a new one
Helping people see the vision of change and transition to not just a new building but a new city
Renovation is not easy and there bumps in getting specific permits, get through deadlines during the construction phase and still managing the day to day operations of the church
With a help of a strong team (including an executive Pastor Bill Foster and Associate Pastor Gavin) it was a load they helped carry which was extremely helpful.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Refuge Church?
Who We Are
Refuge Church is built on the conviction that Jesus came to bring hope to those who are broken, hurting, marginalized, and overlooked. At the core of our ministry is a commitment to cultivating an environment marked by healing, restoration, and lasting hope. Many who walk through our doors often share that they feel a sense of family from the very beginning.
Our church culture is both vibrant and welcoming. Our worship is expressive and heartfelt, reflecting a genuine passion for Jesus, while our preaching is biblically grounded and thoughtfully speaks to real-life issues impacting our communities, our nation, and the world. We are intentional about reaching every generation, offering meaningful connection and spiritual growth opportunities for all ages—from SPARK Kids (ages 5–11), to IMPACT Students (12–18), HYPHEN Young Adults (18–30), CORE Adults (30–55), and SAGES (55+). At Refuge Church, there is truly a place for everyone.
Our highest aim is simple: to make the name of Jesus known by building authentic relationships and serving our community well. Outreach is not an occasional effort—it is a defining part of who we are. We actively partner with initiatives such as CarePortal to support foster families by meeting tangible needs, including providing bedding, furniture, clothing, and essential supplies.
Additionally, we host Celebrate Recovery every Thursday, serving a community that has faced significant challenges with addiction. Through this ministry, we walk alongside individuals both within and beyond our church, recognizing that everyone is navigating “hurts, habits, and hang-ups,” and offering a pathway toward healing and freedom.
https://refuge.faith/wecare/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://refuge.faith
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/refugechurch_faith/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RefugeChurchOnline
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RefugeChurchOnline
- Other: https://refuge.faith/planavisit/
