Staff Members

Michael Morefield | Senior Pastor

Contact Michael: michael@gashland.org

Michael Morefield joined Gashland EPC in May of 2015. He is from Kansas City, Missouri and met his wife, Lacey, at her older sister’s wedding. Michael and Lacey were married in July of 2012 in Castle Rock, Colorado. They have one son named Asher. Michael went to Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas for his undergraduate and then attended Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. 

What is one book you could read over and over again?

If I could read one book over and over again it would be the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, but if I had to narrow it to one book within that trilogy it would be the Return of the King. It’s a story that you never want to end. A story that beautifully paints redemption. A story that encourages you in the struggles of life. A story that shapes the type of person you want to become. 

What is one movie you have watched over and over again?

Lord of the Rings Triology. 

What is your current favorite song?

My current favorite songs are O Great God by Sovereign Music and Matt Boswell and also Good Day by Surfaces.

What is your forever favorite song?

A song that will always be one of my all-time favorites is Farther Along by Josh Garrels. It is a song that encourages the weary and broken heart in this fallen world by pointing us to the hope that we have in Christ and the glorious future that is coming for those who trust and rest in Jesus. 

What is your favorite thing about your job?

My favorite thing about my job is preaching and teaching the Word of God and helping others grow in their love for Jesus. 

What led you to go into ministry?

My initial call into ministry came when I was on a mission trip to the Czech Republic just before I started college at Baker University. On this trip God was using me to share my faith with the lost and as I was teaching others about how great and how good the grace offered to us in Jesus is, I realized that God was calling me to give my life to telling others about Jesus. Then at Baker University, I helped start and lead a campus ministry that further affirmed and matured this call into ministry.

Nicole Moncada | Interim Children's Ministry Director

Contact Nicole: nicole@gashland.org

Nicole joined the staff as Little Lambs Ministry Director in August of 2020. Nicole is from Los Angeles and met her husband, Octavio, in Southern California. They were married in 2011 and they have two sons, Tobin and Ezra. Nicole and her family moved to Missouri in 2017 and they enjoy living in Kansas City. Nicole has a degree in Child Development from Cal State University, Northridge. She also has a graduate degree in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Talbot School of Theology. 

What book could you read over and over again?
I really love Children’s Literature and one book I can read over and over again is The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams.
 
What movie could you watch over and over again?
A movie that I’ve seen more times than I can count is The Princess Bride.
 
What is one of your forever favorite songs?
A song that will always be one of my favorites is L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole because it’s the song my husband and I danced to at our wedding. 
 
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
My favorite thing about my job is sharing God’s Word with the babies and toddlers, singing with them, and praying with them. I also love the opportunity to partner with families and support them as they seek to pass their faith to their children. 
 
What led you to pursue ministry?
From the time I was a child, I was aware that God was loving and pursuing me. I really think it was the experience of His love that caused me to pursue Him in return. Perhaps that’s why I enjoy working with children so much. I was a child when I put my faith in God, and I knew my faith was real from the time I was young. As I’ve gotten older, I know that I want to live my life in love and obedience to God. I certainly have not always done that well. But His persistent love and commitment to my growth and maturity has sent me on a pilgrimage of Christian spiritual transformation. I want to be on this journey with others, and perhaps sometimes I can be the guide, just as I need others to help guide me. 

Kathy Welch | Office Administrator

Contact Kathy: kathy@gashland.org

Kathy Welch has been working at GEPC since March 2022, and she grew up in Troy, MO near St. Louis. Kathy then went on to college in Warrensburg, Mo. earning a degree in Public Relations. This is also where she met her husband Landon. They got married in August 2005 and moved to the Kansas City area after college. They have two boys, Grayson and Gabriel. 

What is one book you could read over and over again? 
The Bible is the only book I could read over and over. As far as reading for entertainment, I like a variety of genres. Mysteries, Romance, Comedy, Crime and Sci-fi to name a few.
 
What is a movie you have watched over and over again? 
The Harry Potter series.
 
What is your current favorite song? 
“Psalm 23” by Phil Wickham, Tiffany Hudson
 
What is a song that will always be one of your favorites? 
There are two that are a tie for being my all time favorites:
“The River” by Jordan Feliz and
“Mary, Did You Know?” by Pentatonix
 
What is your favorite thing about your job? 
I love my job, but the thing I enjoy the most is the personal interactions with individuals.