June 1, 2026 DISCIPLES CONNECTION AROUND THE REGION Rev. Dr. Lara Blackwood Pickrel On Thursday, May 21st we held a special Regional Assembly. This Assembly was an in-person and virtual event to meet the candidate selected by our Regional Minister Search Committee. We held a Question and Answer session followed by a vote. Rev. Dr. Lara Blackwood Pickrel was confirmed as our next Regional Minister! She will begin serving in this role this July. To the Greater Kansas City Chris

May 25 On Thursday, May 21st we held a special Regional Assembly. This Assembly was an in-person and virtual event to meet the candidate selected by our Regional Minister Search Committee. We held a Question and Answer session followed by a vote. Rev. Dr. Lara Blackwood Pickrel was confirmed as our next Regional Minister! She will begin serving in this role this July. Rev. Dr. Lara Blackwood's Resume: Ordination Ordained into Christian Ministry at First Christian Church, Faye

May 15, 2026 DISCIPLES CONNECTION Meet our Regional Minister Candidate Rev. Dr. Lara Blackwood Pickrel Ordination Ordained into Christian Ministry at First Christian Church, Fayetteville, AR on May 24, 2009 Education DMin, Phillips Theological Seminary (2019) MDiv Equivalency, Phillips (2009) MTS, Brite Divinity School (2003) BA in Religious Studies, TCU (2000) Ministerial Service Senior Minister, Hillcrest Christian Church, Overland Park, KS (Feb 2022 – Present) Senior Minis

May 1, 2026 DISCIPLES CONNECTION AROUND THE REGION Special Regional Assembly The Regional Minister Search Committee and Regional Board are ready to present a candidate for the position of Regional Minister and President of the Greater Kansas City Christian Church Disciples of Christ Region. A special Regional Assembly will be held on Thursday, May 21st, at 6:00 PM at Merriam Christian Church and on Zoom. All in the Region are welcome to come and meet the candidate. Each cong