Meet Our Board of Directors

Pastor Mike Hernandez (Board Chair)

Mike serves as the Pastoral Care Pastor at Church of the Harvest. He has served in this position for six years. Mike oversees such areas as the men’s ministry, discipleship (which includes small groups), adult education, local outreaches and pastoral counseling. Before this role, he served as the Administrative Pastor as well as the Young Adult Leader and Hospitality Leader at Church of the Harvest. Before attending Church of the Harvest, Mike served as a Youth Pastor at Heartland Assembly of God in Ankeny, Iowa.

Mike has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Iowa State University where he studied business. He served in Human Resources for 15 years prior to full-time ministry. He worked in the field of Compensation at companies like UMB, DST Systems, MidAmerican Energy (Des Moines, IA) and Farm Bureau Life Insurance (West Des Moines, IA). He loved the field of compensation because it combined the technical ability of crunching numbers along with working with and helping people.

Mike’s passion is helping people become all God has called them to be. He builds relationships to understand people then challenges them to have the faith to follow God’s call. Nothing makes Mike happier than seeing someone follow God’s call and change their world!

Mike has been married to his wife, Janel since 1994 and has four children. His hobbies include running and spending time with his family. Mike currently resides in Olathe, KS.

Tony Whiter

Tony has been in nonprofit leadership for 20+ years, most recently the Executive Director of Blessings Abound for 14 years. He is currently the CEO of Compost Collective KC, an organization dedicated to creation care, and a Philanthropic Adviser for Simple Charity to facilitate generosity. He enjoys advocating for sustainability, stewardship (it's all God's), and faith-based nonprofits. Tony has an MBA, and two KU graduates (sons Chris and Steven). He participates in a discipleship study with Mission Southside in Gardner, and attends Lenexa Baptist. He wants to serve at GMI due to its efficiency, reliance on volunteers, and focus on the Gospel to help those incarcerated.
 

Gail McKay

Gail holds a Bachler’s Degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in English and Special Education from the University of Nebraska in Omaha. Her professional career includes teaching pre-kindergarten and serving as an Executive Assistant for Olathe Public Schools. With a heart for service and organization, Gail brings dedication and compassion to everything she does.

Since Surrendering her life to Jesus Christ in 1992, Gail has faithfully followed His calling, serving in a wide range of ministries empowered by the Holy Spirit. Her ministry experience includes children’s ministry, youth ministry, leading women’s Bible studies, facilitating Financial Peace University, and participating in numerous community outreach efforts. Most recently, Gail has served as the Editor of The Growth Journal magazine for the past year.

Today, Gail and her husband of 32 years, Tim, serve together as mentors at the Lansing Correctional Facility through Growth Ministries Inc. where they pour encouragement, wisdom, and hope into the lives of others. They are proud parents of two adult sons.

In her free time, Gail enjoys quilting, reading, and spending meaningful time with her family – activities that reflect both her creative spirit and her deep love for those closest to her.

Anthony Martin

Anthony Martin is a board member who has devoted much of his life to ministry, leadership, and service within the church and community. He currently serves as a licensed Elder in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW) and has faithfully served as a board member for Abundant Life Church for the past five years. Anthony is also a Certified Community Chaplain, providing spiritual support and care to those in need.

Anthony holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from Carolina University of Theology and plans to continue his education by pursuing a Master’s degree in Christian Counseling through Newburgh Seminary. His passion for ministry is rooted in a lifelong commitment to serving others and helping people grow spiritually.

In addition to his ministry experience, Anthony has over 20 years of leadership experience in retail management, where he developed strong skills in leadership, team development, and organizational management.

Anthony has been married for 24 years and is the proud father of two children and grandfather of two grandchildren. He desires to serve on the board so that he can continue his personal mission of serving wherever God provides the opportunity.

Steve Haase

Steve Haase brings over 30 years of experience in the construction industry and currently serves as a licensed Class A General Contractor. In addition to his professional work, Steve has been entrusted with significant responsibility as the durable and medical power of attorney for a physician, where he has also managed several of the doctor’s properties and businesses for a number of years.

Steve has a long history of ministry leadership. He previously served as an elder and pastor at Christ Family Church in Olathe for 17 years. Steve and his wife, Deb, have been attending Church of the Harvest for nearly five years, where they both completed the Leadership Training Institute. They currently serve together as leaders of Celebrate Recovery at Church of the Harvest, ministering to individuals seeking freedom and healing from life’s struggles.

Steve has a strong heart for missions and evangelism. He has participated in mission trips to Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, and Haiti. Through God’s providence, he has also developed a meaningful friendship with a man currently in prison, reflecting his passion to reach those who are hurting, struggling, or feel forgotten.

Steve and his wife, Deb, have been married for 47 years. They are blessed with five children and six grandchildren.

Cyndi Johnson

Cyndi is a now retired after 40 years as a computer programmer. She spends her time working with kids in The Homeschool Network in Olathe, Kansas. She has a passion for helping children reach their potential.

Cyndi is married to Lonnie Johnson, the ED of Growth Ministries. She has served by his side doing community outreach for 20 years. She has also been working in various administrative capacities with Growth Ministries since the 501c3 was formed in 2016.

Lonnie Johnson

Lonnie studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Lonnie also received certification in computer programming at Unified Training Center of Kansas City. Lonnie is the Chief Information Officer at KVC Health Systems and has been employed there since 2000. Lonnie has worked in the technology field since 1988.

Lonnie has enjoyed leading community outreach teams in the greater Kansas City area for the since 2003. He is the Outreach Pastor and on the Board of Elder at Church of the Harvest in Olathe, KS. In addition to those duties Lonnie is a also a missionary at Church of the harvest and has traveled on multiple global missions’ trips  distributing medicine and facilitating crusades.

Lonnie is also on the board of directors of New Creations Inc. in Olathe Kansas. New Creation is a residential addiction recovery center dedicated to helping men and women reset their lives.

In 2016 Lonnie founded Growth Ministries, Inc. along with his wife Cyndi. The ministry’s main focus is equipping convicted felons with the tools needed to be successful in society.