Meet Our Leaders
During the mid-'80s, Wes served as the North American Representative for Voice of the Martyrs. His experiences included extensive travel throughout the Eastern Block, where he played a crucial role in smuggling Bibles and engaging with the underground Church. Despite the passage of time, his heart remains deeply connected to the persecuted Church worldwide.
In 1985, Wes and his wife Cherisse began their journey together, getting married. They made a pivotal move to Missouri in 1989 to establish Calvary Chapel. Today, Wes and Cherisse find immense joy in their family, blessed with five children and ten grandchildren.
A Missouri native, Nick's journey of serving the Lord through music began at the tender age of 12, and he has continued to contribute his musical talents to various churches in the state.
Nick's primary goal is to uplift and worship the Lord through song, fostering a sense of unity among the congregation and believers. Emphasizing a focus on worship rather than performance or entertainment, he strives to offer an excellent gift of worship to the Lord.
As a published songwriter, Nick finds joy in composing new music inspired by his faith, making his creations widely accessible to others.
In 2006, Nick married his wife Christy, and together they are blessed with five children.
Guided by a divine vision, Denise envisioned a recovery facility. Over the next 30 years, she diligently prepared for this mission. The heart-wrenching yet inspiring story of her and her son, Matthew, is eloquently shared in her book, "Promises of Hope" by C. Denise Knox.
Responding to a higher calling, Denise pursued ordination and returned to academia, earning her BS in Psychology from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., with a focus on Christian Counseling in collaboration with the American Association of Christian Counselors. Following her ordination, she served as the women's chaplain at the Lincoln County jail, providing counseling and ministry to inmates for nearly 7 years.
Denise expanded her reach, working as a part-time chaplain at Barnes-Jewish-Christian hospital in St. Peters, Missouri, for approximately 8 years. Subsequently, she assumed the role of Director of the Beauty for Ashes Prison Reentry program in Vandalia, Missouri, for 3 years. Venturing further, she collaborated with Mission Gate Ministry, contributing to the establishment of the faith-based reentry home, The Promises of Hope Ranch, in Lincoln County. After this, Denise joined forces with another ministry to establish the Shielded by Faith Recovery Center in Troy, a faith-based, one-year recovery home where women receive support in detox, inner-healing, and nurturing their relationship with Christ.
Currently, Denise Knox holds the position of Director of Women's Ministry at Calvary Chapel, where her wealth of experience, unwavering faith, and compassionate spirit continue to inspire and uplift the community.
I enjoy photography, working in our flower and vegetable gardens, D.I.Y projects, and going off roading with our local Christian Off Road Association (C.O.R.A) group.
Our family has been attending Calvary since Christmas Eve 2020. I serve at Calvary in the children’s ministry as a teacher for grades 3-5 as well as a crew leader for VBS. I’m also an Explorer Leader (girls ages 9-12) for our local American Heritage Girls troop.
My love for Jesus started at a young age. I honestly can’t remember a time when I wasn’t a believer. I was baptized at the age of 14 in a small roadside creek on our way home from a youth mission trip to Colorado. I’m forever grateful for God placing certain people throughout my life that have made an everlasting impact on me. I pray that I can do the same in someone else’s life by pointing them to Jesus. Let’s make heaven crowded!
Driven by a calling, Rick and Cindy ventured into mission work amidst the picturesque Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Here, they dedicated their time to a camp catering to underprivileged children from New York City, leaving an indelible mark of compassion and service.
Rick's path eventually led them to Missouri, where they found a spiritual home at Calvary Chapel Troy. Rick's commitment to service resulted in a three-decade tenure as an elder, a testament to his unwavering dedication.
Beyond his church role, Rick finds joy in fellowship, surrounded by the warmth of family and friends. He relishes moments spent with his grandchildren and embraces the outdoors through a love for camping. Together with his wife Cindy, Rick continues to weave a tapestry of faith, service, and shared moments that define their rich and fulfilling journey.
Kathy's personal journey with Christ began in 1999, a pivotal time in her life while expecting her second child.
Beyond her administrative role, Kathy finds delight in simple pleasures like movies, the beach, and a good cup of coffee. Her greatest joys, however, come from fulfilling roles as a loving wife, dedicated mom, and cherished grandma.
Paul's commitment to making a positive impact is evident in his longstanding involvement with the youth ministry, a journey that began when he was just 20 years old. His enthusiasm and dedication continue to inspire and contribute significantly to the vibrant spirit of our Calvary Chapel family.
In 1984, Don married the love of his life, and together they built a family with two children, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Their current residence is on a farm in eastern Montgomery County, where they actively raise Red Angus cows, chickens, and rabbits.
Don's connection with Calvary Chapel spans over 12 years, and he has served as an elder for more than four years. Throughout his professional life, Don worked as a Schwan’s driver for several years and later joined MODOT, where he dedicated several years of service, retiring in 2014.
Chrissy has been married to her husband Darren for 25 years, and together, they have been blessed with 4 beautiful children and 5 precious grandchildren. Chrissy's love for children drove her to open an in home daycare in 2009, and it is still current. After many years, she believes children are one of God's greatest blessings.
Her journey with the Lord began in 2003 when she surrendered her life to Jesus Christ. The Lord has instilled in her the desire to help those in need and volunteer where she is needed. She prays that the Lord would help her to see people through His eyes and to love like Jesus does.
Chrissy enjoys her hobbies of fishing, playing on the church softball team,doing crafts, sewing, and carrying for their backyard flock.
But her greatest joy comes from spending time in God's word, being with family, loving on the grandbabies, and fulfilling her role as a Mimi.
My passion lies in ensuring that children, especially those navigating difficult situations such as foster care or being raised by grandparents, find hope, love, comfort, and guidance. At Love-N-Learn, my mission is clear: I want every child who walks through our doors to understand that they are not just loved but inherently worthy of love. Through imparting God's love, my goal is to teach them about His boundless love for each of them.
I genuinely believe that God has entrusted me with a gift, and I am profoundly thankful to be able to do what I love—working with children.
Though Martina accepted Christ into her heart at the tender age of eight and was baptized at fourteen, it wasn't until her early forties, about a decade ago, that she embarked on the journey of reading through the entire Bible. This transformative experience profoundly deepened her relationship with the Lord and served as a pivotal moment of rescue and renewal in her life.
Gratefully serving in the capacity that the Lord has entrusted to her, Martina finds immense joy in showering both children and adults with love and warmth, making them feel seen, cherished, and embraced within the Calvary Chapel family. Alongside her loving husband, Tony, Martina celebrates 32 years of marriage as of December 2023. Together, they proudly parent three children and three "bonus kiddos," including in-laws ranging in ages from 18 to 31, as well as two delightful grandchildren, aged 6 and 11.
Adding to the joy of their household, Tony recently surprised Martina with a golden doodle puppy, with plans to welcome a golden retriever puppy soon, ensuring that their nest will never feel empty. While their relocation to Troy three years ago brought new adventures, Martina and Tony relish their shared interests in camping and fishing, though they admit these activities have taken a backseat in this busy season of their lives.
Transitioning from military life, Lucas found his calling in marketing, where he has thrived since 2015, particularly in the realm of digital marketing which has led to Lucas’s current role in serving as Calvary Chapel Troy’s Media Specialist. Lucas further serves as one of two Men’s Event Coordinator and Saturate USA Representative.
Amidst his professional endeavors, Lucas's true passion lies in working with children, whether through helping lead youth group, devotionals, or coaching softball, as avenues to impart the love of Christ. In addition, driven by a desire to nurture and mentor, Lucas is dedicated to cultivating strong, compassionate fathers and husbands who emulate the example set forth by Jesus.