Today we’d like to introduce you to Terry Seufferlein.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 1951, a small group of Christians purchased a building at 56th and Nall and started the Mission Church of Christ. The group grew along with the city, moving south and west along with the new growth, and taking the name Overland Park Church of Christ. The church moved into a building on 67th and Woodson in 1958, and 103rd and Antioch in 1972. Outgrowing those facilities, the congregation decided to build a large facility on the corner of 119th and Pflumm, moving into the new structure in 1999.
The church met at this building for more than 20 years, but the congregation lost some members, and the expenses on the building began to consume more and more of our budget. Since we want to make ministry to our community a priority, and not simply maintain a building, our leadership team made the bold and wise decision to sell the building in 2023.
Since that time, we have been meeting in Pioneer Trail Middle School and have loved the partnership with the school and the district. During this transition period, and since we are no longer exclusively in Overland Park, we rebranded as Christ Connect Church. Our church and people have always been focused on our commitment to Christ first, and Connection with others second. So, the new name was a perfect reflection of not only who we always were, but who we hope to always be. When people meet someone from Christ Connect Church, we want them to know Jesus and feel connected.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to this point has certainly had its fair share of challenges and unexpected twists and turns. However, in each of these moments, the journey has been worth it in the end. We have a phenomenal leadership team that chooses to always point our eyes back toward God and where we may be headed or needed in the next season. The journey has helped us to become more united and cohesive than ever before.
We’ve been impressed with Christ Connect Church, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our mission is to Join in the work of Jesus for the good of the world.
To help us live out our mission, we are guided by the following core values:
• We will be Jesus-Centered
• We will show hospitality
• We will grow spiritually
• We will invest in future generations
• We will share the gospel
• We will partner with others.
Below are just some of the ways we work to serve our community.
We partner with four Elementary Schools and Pioneer Trail Middle School in the Olathe school district to offer assistance in just about any way they can think of. We prepare thousands of what we call missional meal bags every year for students who need some extra food assistance. We have many missional partners who regularly show up to serve in classrooms, whether that be in a mentor position or just as a classroom reader. Just last year one of the schools wanted to start a clothing closet with a few extra things in case students needed those, and our church members were happy to fulfill that need.
The Saturday before Easter, we host an Easter Egg Hunt for the community. We have 10,000 eggs filled with toys and candy, and a variety of fun booths for the children.
In late October, we will have a Block Party for the community. We have a number of booths and activities for the children.
In November we purchase and distribute hundreds of Thanksgiving meals to those in need.
We support a Community Liaison (Taylor Penrod) who oversees many programs that serve the local community, such as Grounded Sole–a coffee shop in the Argentine Neighborhood of KCK.
We also fully support missionaries in Thailand and Tanzania. What one thing might set us apart from others? A unique thing we love about our church is that all of our missionaries–and many of our ministry staff–have been raised in this church. This church has a deep and rich history of equipping its own people along the way to serve in ministry, and as a result, has found our church to be the place they can best do that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.christconnect.church
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christconnect.church
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christconnectchurchks
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@christconnect.church
