Serving Maranatha
The leaders of Maranatha Baptist Fellowship are committed to serving Christ, caring for His church, and faithfully teaching God's Word.
Pastor
Jeremy Leithoff
Jeremy and his wife, Randi, have been part of the ministry at Maranatha Baptist Fellowship since July 2009, when Jeremy began serving as Youth Pastor. In June 2016, he became Pastor of Maranatha. Jeremy and Randi met while attending Pittsburg State University, where they were both actively involved with Cross Quest, now known as Christian Challenge. Jeremy graduated from Pittsburg State in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies and later earned a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2012. Jeremy and Randi have been married since 2008 and have two daughters. In addition to serving Maranatha, Jeremy serves as a police officer with the Topeka Public Schools Police Department. Randi works at FedEx and homeschools their daughters. When he's not serving the church or community, Jeremy enjoys fishing and spending time with his family.
Youth Pastor
Erick Young
Erick and his wife, Lydia, have been married since 2011, but their story at Maranatha began years earlier. They met while attending Youth Group at Maranatha Baptist Fellowship and, in 2008, traveled with other members of the church on a mission trip to Guatemala. While there, they helped paint a school and led a Vacation Bible School program to share the Gospel with local children.
Since then, Erick and Lydia have continued serving in a variety of ministries at Maranatha. Erick serves as our Youth Pastor, helping disciple and encourage the next generation in their walk with Christ. Lydia serves as our Worship Leader, helping lead the congregation in worship through music.
Together, they continue to serve the church family that played such an important role in the beginning of their own relationship and faith journey.
Church Administrator
Laura Krainbill
Laura is the mother of two children, Matthew and Shaina. She has spent more than 30 years serving as a dietitian at the Kansas Neurological Institute and also serves her community as a bus driver for Auburn-Washburn Schools.
Laura has been actively involved with Shawnee County 4-H as a Foods Project Leader and judge. She also has a special friendship with Judy, a resident at KNI.
In her free time, Laura enjoys gardening, cooking, and photography.
Sunday Morning Bible Study
Doyal & Vonda Young
Doyal and Vonda Young have been part of the Maranatha Baptist Fellowship family for many years and have faithfully served by leading a Sunday morning Bible study.
For Doyal and Vonda, Maranatha is a place to experience life alongside a small group of believers in Jesus Christ, build meaningful relationships, and grow together in faith.
Whether you've grown distant in your walk with Christ, are seeking a relationship with God and have more questions than answers, or simply need someone to talk with, Doyal and Vonda would love to welcome you. Their invitation is simple: come join them, share life together, and enjoy fellowship centered on Jesus Christ.
And if you'd rather start with a conversation, they'd be happy to sit down with you over a cup of coffee at the Agape Cafe. The coffee is on them.
Serving Maranatha
Jon & Shammie Felps
Jon and Shammie Felps first came to Maranatha Baptist Fellowship with plans to get married—not necessarily to find a church home. But God had other plans, and they have been part of the Maranatha family since 2008.
Over the years, Jon and Shammie have served through a variety of ministries and outreach opportunities at Maranatha. They enjoy helping create a warm, welcoming, and enjoyable environment for everyone who walks through our doors.
AWANA Club Director
Barry & Judith Hardie
Barry and Judith Hardie have served at Maranatha Baptist Fellowship since 2008, after retiring and moving to Topeka from California, where they had also been involved in ministry. They have been married since 1968 and have three children and ten grandchildren.
Barry serves as Maranatha's AWANA Club Director, helping lead a ministry focused on teaching children God's Word and encouraging them to hide it in their hearts.
Barry and Judith share a desire to serve God wherever He leads. Both have a heart for service and faithfully use their gifts to serve the Maranatha church family.
Serving Maranatha
Eric & Deidra Stanley
Eric and Deidra Stanley have been part of the Maranatha family since 2004. They are married and have two daughters.
Eric serves in the Kansas Air National Guard as a full-time aircraft electrician. Deidra works as a technology consultant for the State of Kansas and also serves with a local canine search and rescue team.
In his free time, Eric enjoys all kinds of games, from video games to card and board games. Deidra enjoys spending time outdoors and working with her Miniature Australian Shepherd as part of her search and rescue activities.