Pastor Jake Newman grew up in Kansas and graduated from Arkansas City High School. He attended Cowley County Community College, where he earned an Associate of Arts degree in Religion in 1999. He then transferred to Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU), earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Church Ministries with an emphasis in Pastoral Ministry in 2005. He later returned to SAGU to complete a Master of Arts degree in Theological Studies with an emphasis in Practical Theology in 2010.
Pastor Jake served as Lead Pastor in Kinsley, Kansas, from 2008 to 2011. Pastor Jake joined Encounter Church as Youth Pastor in November 2020. In 2024, he stepped into the role of Lead Pastor. After a brief hiatus in 2025, he returned to begin a new chapter as Lead Pastor of Encounter Church in August 2026.

Pastor Jake is the proud father of five children—Ethan (Emily), Evan, Ellie, Easton, and Emmitt. He and his family are avid animal lovers and enjoy spending time with their pets.

Pastor Jake is passionate about helping people take their next step in their walk with Jesus Christ. He believes that no matter where a person is on their spiritual journey, God is always calling them to grow deeper. Standing still is never the goal. Through the leading of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Jake encourages every believer to discover their God-given purpose and faithfully pursue the next step God has prepared for them.

 Robert and Kay met and married at Calvary Assembly of God in Ormond Beach, FL.   Robert studied at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  In their younger years, believing that God had called them to the mission field, Robert served as a missionary pilot/mechanic . From there, they were youth sponsors and junior high Sunday school teachers for 23 years! Robert also served  Pratt County Jail ministry for three years. and then was the lead pastor at Kinsley Assembly of God Church for a time and the interim pastor for Ashland.   Along their journey, they have always loved reaching out to the lost souls of foreign lands.  They first started by traveling to Lomalinda , Colombia, and Mexico,  to build churches and trade schools!   Robert has led 20 trips to Muslim Countries.  Their heart’s passion has always been for the lost and unreached people groups of the world, and giving them God’s Word and a place to worship.

Alan and Tracy Mettling have been long-time members of Encounter Church.  In May, Alan celebrated 18 years of employment at Encounter.  Alan started his education at Barton Community College and then earned a degree in Business Administration from Sterling College.  Alan and Tracy have been blessed with two children who are now adults and their spouses, and 5 incredible grandsons.

Kim Moeder and her husband Keith have four children. Before Kim lived in Great Bend, she grew up in Canada. In 2020 she came on board full-time in the office. Kim is passionate about prayer; call the office anytime you are in need of prayer and she will happily stop, drop, and pray!  

Catie has 4 beautiful children — a son in middle school and three littles all under the age of 5! She is a busy mom and excited about her family growing up in and around Encounter Church, because it is a great place to raise a family! She is excellent at keeping the church in tip-top shape!