Max and Molly Cornell are originally from southeast Kansas.  They went to high school together and started dating at senior prom.  A little over a year later after completing their first year of college, they were married.  They are both graduates of Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas, where Max studied English and Molly studied biology. After graduation, they moved to Kansas City where Molly continued her education and became a physical therapist and Max taught high school English.

At a young age, Max began to feel the call on his life into the ministry, but was unsure how to pursue it until 2011, when God called them to attend Charis Bible College in Colorado. After graduating, Max served as an associate pastor at Charis Christian Center. Max and Molly are passionate about seeing lives transformed as the wisdom, power, and love of heaven touches earth.

They enjoy traveling (especially to places with beaches), cheering for the Chiefs and Royals, and eating good Mexican food. They have 4 kids, and a faithful dog CC.

Josh and Nicole met at Charis Bible College in Colorado. They both worked for Andrew Wommack Ministries and were married in 2015. Shortly after they were married, Pastor Max invited them to be a part of the Charis Kingdom Church launch team. This would mean they would have to leave Colorado and move to Kansas City. After seeking the Lord, they took the leap of faith and packed their bags for KC. Not long after moving to Kansas, both Josh and Nicole felt like they were home.

Josh and Nicole lead Charis Young Adults as well as the Prayer Team. They also host small groups in their home and help out Sunday mornings with set-up and tear down. Nicole also helps out in the nursery.

In their downtime, they enjoy peaceful mornings drinking coffee and reading the Word, trying new restaurants, watching movies, working out together, planning their next vacation, and getting together with friends.

Neil Grindel is from Shawnee, KS, and his wife, Sarah (Max’s sister) is from southeast Kansas. Neil and Sarah met at church when Sarah moved to Kansas City. They both were volunteers in youth group and had both been called into youth ministry when they were in high school. They soon realized that their same passion and callings were ordained by God.  They were married and shortly after, moved with Max and Molly to Colorado to attend Charis Bible College. They both graduated in 2012. Upon graduating, they became Children’s Pastors at Charis Christian Center.

They have been ministering the Word of God to youth for the past 10 years and to children the past 4 years. They desire to see kids and youth transformed by the power of God’s love and for them to know without a doubt who they are in Christ. Neil and Sarah know God has an amazing plan for everyone and are passionate about helping kids and youth discover that unique purpose for themselves. Everyone is important and a masterpiece in the eyes of the Father.

They have two awesome kids and a sweet dog. They enjoy spending time together as a family, watching movies, bike riding, and shopping. Christmas is their favorite time of year and enjoy trying out new restaurants, especially Mexican.

Becky Cornell is the mother of Max Cornell and Sarah Grindel. She has a master’s degree in elementary education and has spent the past 12 years teaching in the public school system. She has been called to partner with God to bring His Kingdom into children’s lives.

Becky has worked with children for over 30 years. She has worked in many different areas of church including: VBS coordinator, VBS cook, office volunteer, prayer team, Sunday School teacher, Nursery worker, middle school youth leader, greeter, advisory board member, and high school small group leader. God has shown Becky the tenderness of a child’s heart which is near and dear to the heart of our Creator. She is excited to help children understand that Daddy God is always happy, always loving, always good!

Becky likes spending time with her three grandchildren, watching good movies, reading mysteries, and eating chocolate and fat, juicy hamburgers! Coffee is a close runner up!

Laurie and Sean have both made Kansas City their home for nearly all their lives.  They started dating in High School! Sean is the oldest of eleven children with seven of his siblings being adopted. Sean taught 6 years in a local Christian school and served as an elementary principal for Maranatha Academy.  He was also a Children’s Pastor for over 15 years.  He now enjoys teaching in a public school program where parents teach their K-12 children at home.  Sean loves people and uses his administrative gifting to assist the tech team at Charis.

Laurie started singing with a local band when she was just 12 and continued for many years in concert ministry to youth and adults.  She and her sister recorded several albums and toured many parts of the US as well as Korea, where they ministered to the troops.  They were invited to sing in the New Artists’ Showcase (part of the Gospel Music Association week of the Dove Awards) in Nashville two years in a row.  They also performed at CBN’s New Artist competition, winning the Best Performance award and taking second place i Songwriting for their song “Always”.  

As a worship pastor, Laurie’s desire is to bring the congregation into the manifest presence of the Lord and see them changed.  Her hope is that everyone who comes into the sanctuary leaves with prayers answered, healings in their body and mind, and encouragement for their future. Sean and Laurie have two wonderful adult children.  Their son, Skyler just finished his third year at Charis Bible College in Woodland Park, CO.  Their daughter, Lexi and her husband, Jacob just had their first child, Shiloh.