Hello Gardner! My name is Brad Wheeler and I am the new pastor at FirstLight. I have come to Gardner from Bonner Springs where I was the Associate Pastor for 10 years. Coming with me are my wife Melissa, and our two sons, Alex who is 9, and Sam who is 5. We are thrilled to be called by God to lead FirstLight. In my work at Bonner Springs I have worked to establish a healthy, vibrant youth group that has grown from just a few youth 10 years ago into a group of 30 or 40 youth. The youth have been learning what it means to love God and to love their neighbor more than the day before. In our mission work together we have traveled to many places, including twice to New Orleans, Matamoros, Mexico, and New York City.
Eight years ago we established a contemporary service on Sunday nights called Sunday Night Live (SNL). Sunday Night Live has become the place to be on Sunday nights for many people in Bonner Springs. The service has grown to be a creative place to meet God, where all are accepted just as they are. Many times Sunday Night Live includes video clips from movies, props, interactive times, and always celebrates Holy Communion.
We are very excited to come to Gardner and be a part of what God is doing through FirstLight!
Brad Wheeler