Ken Ansell,56, is the new pastor at First Baptist Church in Fort Scott and Cherry Grove Baptist Church, Garland.
He is called to the churches to preach, counsel, equip, teach, servant-lead, and shepherd, he said.
Ansell has been in the full-time ministry for 20 years, serving at churches in Hereford, Waxahachie, Rockdale and Linden, Texas.
His hometown is Rockdale, Texas.
Ansell is married to his high school sweetheart, Jennifer and they have four adult children.
His tie to this area is his family.
Ansell’s parents were born in Iola and they still have family there and in Oswego, he said.
Why did you pursue this career?
“The ministry is kind of a second career,” Answll said. “God called me to the ministry after a successful career in business and a not so successful career in farming (ha).”
“God put southeast Kansas on our hearts and Jennifer saw the two churches we serve were looking for a pastor on the Baylor-Truett Seminary website and here we are,” he said.
In his spare time, he plays tennis, golf, likes to fly fish, run, and “I like to spend time with Jennifer and drink coffee,” he said.
About The Churches
First Baptist Church and Cherry Grove Baptist Church formed Cherry Grove/First Baptist Ministry Coalition in 2017 to meet the needs of both churches as they were seeking a new pastor at that time, according to information sent by Rita Tiegreen and Glenda Lalman, members of First Baptist.
Pastor Ken Ansell is the pastor for both churches.
“We are excited to have our new pastor,” Tiegreen said. “Pastor Ken Ansell began his ministry with us on October 19th. We are blessed to have him and his wife, Jennifer here with us.”
First Baptist Church is currently holding the following open services using safety guidelines:
11 AM Sunday worship service
11 AM Sunday Children’s Church
6:30 PM Wednesday night Youth Group
The church is hoping to open up our Sunday School very soon, according to Tiegreen and Lalman.
The office hours are limited at this time.
” If someone needs to contact the church office, they may call 620-223-3080 and leave a message if there is no answer,” they said. “We will get back to you as soon as possible.”
First Baptist Church will once again be a drop-off center for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes this year.
Collection Week is November 16-23.
The hours are:
Monday – Wednesday (16th-18th) 3 PM – 6 PM
Thursday-Friday (19th-20th) 4 PM – 6 PM
Saturday (21st) 10 AM – Noon
Sunday (22nd) 2 PM – 4 PM
Monday (23rd) 8 AM – 10 AM
If questions, call 620-223-3080 and leave a message.
The church’s community outreach program is still active as they reach out to various organizations to supply needed items, the two said.
Cherry Grove Baptist Church is located at Hwy. 69 south and Calvary Road.
Their weekly schedule is:
9:15 am Worship Service
10:30 Sunday School
6:00 pm Bible Study
Pastor Ken Ansell can be reached at 972-921-4221.