Lawrence Life Fellowship: Leadership & Support Staff

Leadership & Support Staff

Gabe Alvarado serves as Senior Pastor and founder of Lawrence Life Fellowship. He trusted Christ as Savior at the age of twelve. From that time, God used many individuals to help mature him in his spiritual growth. In 1992, God began preparing his life for the training he needed to be a pastor. God placed Gabe and his wife, Lori, under the leadership of Dr. Jeff Adams, Senior Pastor of Kansas City Baptist Temple, Kansas City, Missouri. As members of KCBT, Gabe and Lori traveled diligently 100 miles round trip for eight years to attend church and receive training to minister God's Word in Lawrence.

After their preparation, KCBT sent out Gabe and Lori, along with ten others members, to plant Lawrence Life Fellowship. KCBT commissioned Lawrence Life Fellowship as a daughter church in June 2000. Gabe was licensed in 1999 and ordained into the ministry in May 2000 at Kansas City Baptist Temple.

Gabe holds bachelor's degrees in sociology and psychology from Baker University and

graduated from Kansas City Baptist Temple's Shepherd School of Ministry in June of 2002. His wife, Lori, serves by his side. Lori works for the State of Kansas. She holds a bachelor's degree in Communications from Baker University. Lori has received training from KCBT in the areas of Women's Studies, Philosophy of Discipleship, philosophy of missions, leadership training and Cell group ministry. Lori overseas logistics for LLF.

George Donovan is the minister of our Praise & Worship Ministry, and the Men's Ministry.

George was born and reared in Kansas City, Missouri, where after graduating from Pensacola Christian College he began working for Hallmark Cards. During his years as a Junior High youth director in K. C., he met his wife-eventually-to-be Carol who was currently attending Calvary Bible College. They served together in youth, singles and choir ministries and were married in 1983. They moved to Topeka in 2003 with their five children and began attending LLF where they are involved in Adult, discipleship and praise band ministries. George and Carol attended Kansas City Baptist Temple and were discipled and trained with additional tools for the work of the ministry. The Donovan family brings a wealth of talent, experience and maturity to help impact our community for Christ.

Brad Bernet ministers in our Adult Ministry.

Brad accepted the Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord in 1994 while at a Bible study at the Kansas City Baptist Temple in Kansas City, Missouri. Soon after, Brad was introduced to Gabe Alvarado who took him through the process of Biblical Discipleship and mentored him in ministry.

Brad met his wife, Lauri, while she attended graduate school at the University of Kansas and both attended Bible study on campus. (Lauri was discipled by Lori Alvarado.) Although both Brad and Lauri lived in Lawrence, they were active in ministry at Kansas City Baptist Temple before becoming part of the group sent to start LLF.

Brad received his undergraduate degree and Masters degree in Political Science from the University of Kansas. He also graduated from Kansas City Baptist Temple's Shepherd School of Ministry in June of 2001. He currently is employed at the University of Kansas. His wife Lauri teaches piano and voice lessons.

Tony Hoffhines is the minister of our Teen Youth Ministry and Awana Ministry.

Tony and his wife Ginger live in Tonganoxie, have been married 28 years and have 3 grown children and a wonderful daughter-in-law and granddaughter. They both accepted Christ as their Savior in their teens and have been a ministry team for 30 years. The Hoffhines seek to disciple children and youth to know, love and serve the Lord. Awana and Teen Youth ministries are just one of several ways to help achive this goal. Tony and Ginger understand how important it is for the next generation to establish and maintain a deep relationship in their walk with God so they can withstand the pressures they will face in an ever turbulent world.

Chad Hinkle ministers in our College & Career Ministry.

Chad Hinkle trusted Christ as Savior while attending Kansas City Baptist Temple in 1992. He grew up a pastor’s son, but knew, despite his exposure to church his whole life, that he needed to grow stronger in his relationship with God. Teresa accepted the Lord while in high school but never completely submitted to the Lord until attending KCBT. While attending a Lawrence bible study sponsored by KCBT, Chad and Teresa began Discipleship I and completed it in 1992. They continued to grow in their relationship with the Lord while being involved in KCBT cell group bible study. Chad and Teresa completed Discipleship II in 1995 and leadership training courses in 1999.

Chad works at the University of Kansas in the IT Department as an Administrative Associate. Teresa works as a typesetter for Allen Press in Lawrence. Chad and Teresa's son, Luke enjoys participating in Awana and being a Cub Scout.

John Hepford leads our Elementary Ministry.

John was exposed to the gospel through gospel tracts his brother left in a room they shared when they were teenagers. One night right before Christmas, John prayed the prayer in the back of one of those tracts, accepting Christ as his Saviour.

Through the help of two saved roommates, John came into contact with a bible study conducted by Kansas City Baptist Temple. He began attending church at KCBT and was soon discipled by Gabe Alvarado who mentored him in ministry. Biblical Discipleship brought him back to a close relationship with God and during that time he became committed to building a ministry and eventually a church in Lawrence.

John received a music education degree from the University of Kansas in May 1998. He teaches junior high school band and music at Chisholm trail Junior High in the Olathe School District. He also is the principal percussionist in the Kansas City Wind Symphony and co-conductor of the Olathe Youth Symphony Philharmonic. His wife, Stefani, is an attorney for the State Attorney General's office. She holds an accounting degree from KU as well. Stefani serves as attorney, business manager and accountant for LLF.