Pastor Blake Owings has served as the Youth Pastor at The Woods since April 2021. He graduated from MidAmerica Nazarene University in 2017. Before coming to The Woods, Blake was the youth pastor in Coffeyville, KS. Blake and his wife, Maddie were married in 2017 and have 2 sons, Forest and Fox.

Pastor Ruthanna Metzger has served as the Children’s Pastor at The Woods since August 2024. She graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in 2024. Prior to serving at The Woods, Ruthanna was a Children’s Ministry Intern at Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene in Kankakee, IL.  Ruthanna is originally from Pennsylvania and moved to Topeka with her bunny Peaches. 

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Pastor Jared Ritchey is the Hospitality Pastor, serving our congregation by seeking to help you feel like you can call the Woods your home church, rather than just feeling like you attend. Prior to that, he served as one of the campus ministers at the Montara Initiative. He has held a Minister’s License with the Kansas City District since July of 2021, and is currently studying with Nazarene Bible College as a part of their Ministry Preparation Program. He has been married to his wife Jessie since 2014. They have three children: Aurora, Andromeda, and Ransom, whom they homeschool.

Pastor Bill Ritchey ministers at our Montara House of Hope - along with his wife Nell. He has been a Nazarene since 1988, holds a BA in religion, and has been an ordained elder since 2001. Previously he served as Chaplain at rescue missions for many years, pastored at Holton Nazarene Church, and was a certified Alcohol & Drug counselor. He has a heart for those who seek freedom from addiction.

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Peggy is a wife, mother, Grammy and Great Grammy. She has served Jesus through WWCN for over three decades, where she has continuously played a pivotal role in compassionate outreach through the NMI (Missions) Council. Alongside her husband, Wally, she serves in Area 51 and a small group. Retiring from 42 years as a pediatric Speech Language Pathologist grants more time to answer His call. She is firm in her belief that the world is HIS mission field, where she is excited to be joined by others in sharing the love of Jesus to everyone in all aspects of life.

Wally Fisher has enjoyed the privilege of actively serving in many capacities at Wanamaker

Woods Church Of The Nazarene for more than 30 years. Upon retiring from over 40 years of

teaching in public education, he now has the opportunity to be on staff, where he serves in any

capacity to enrich the lives of others to strengthen their walk through Know-Grow-Serve-Share.

He and Peggy have been married since 1974 and recently discovered the joy of travel. Most

importantly he spends much of his time with his three cherished children, their spouses and

especially the grandchildren and the newest great-grandchild.

Kim Rogers has been serving at The Woods since January 2022. However, she has been a member here since 2012. She graduated from Washburn University in 1994. She was the Quality Assurance Manager to a non-profit here in town before joining our team. She is the mother of 3 children and a grandmother of 2.

Dr. Holmes was born in Portland Oregon. He has been married to his lovely wife Jolene since they met as teenagers in Hastings Nebraska. They have two lovely daughters, & five beautiful granddaughters. He holds four earned college degrees, (AA-BA-Th.m Th.D.) Dr. Holmes served as Senior Pastor of Wanamaker Woods from 1985-2022. He enjoys playing golf, reading, and especially spending time with his family.

Pastor Jerry Schmid has served at The Woods for many years in many roles.  Jerry has two daughters and several grandchildren.

Traci has served at the Woods for many years. She produces our weekly WIBW broadcast and serves alongside many areas of ministry designing and editing Media content.