Our Elders
Our church follows a leadership model we see prescribed for our benefit in Scripture. The “elder-led” approach provides us with sound guidance from biblically-qualified men. All elders meet the stated qualifications for this office as laid out in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. They meet regularly to pray and provide spiritual oversight on matters concerning the church. For more information email our elders.
Bret Capranica
Bret was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas and became a follower of Christ at age 14. Through many opportunities and constant input from his local church, Bret was convicted to pursue pastoral ministry. At age 18, he began pastoring a small church in Texas.
He received a bachelor’s degree from West Texas A&M in 1993, a master of divinity degree from The Masters Seminary in 2001, and a doctorate from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2010. He pastored two churches in Southern California before being called to Summit Woods in 2010 as pastor-teacher.
Bret is married to Kelly (since 2001) and they have three children, Brie, Emi, and David. He enjoys spending time with his wife and children, reading and following presidential history, and if he can find some time, playing a round of golf.
Brett Harris
After a few years of trying to do things his own way, the Lord saved Brett at age 21. He had dropped out of college and was working at a restaurant booth-making job. One of the men there shared the gospel with him over several months. He decided to try Christianity for a couple of weeks to see how it went. Brett has been a member of SWBC for about 12 years.
Brett has served in SWBC as a deacon, Awana volunteer, sound engineer, and nominating committee chairman and teaching an adult Bible class. Brett has been married to Julie since May 1992 and they have three children Wes, Maggie, and Claire. Brett enjoys running and reading.
Sam Karl
Sam accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior when he was 16 years old. He grew up in Southern India. Since knowing the Lord from his teen years, Sam has served in children, youth, worship and outreach ministries.
Sam and his wife Carol came to Summit Woods in 2007. Sam also serves as an Adult Bible Fellowship teacher. Sam loves driving through the countryside and spending time with the Lord enjoying nature. He enjoys spending time with his wife Carol and they both enjoy singing praises and walking together.
Mark Krystyniak
Mark came to know the Lord at the age of 49. When he and his family moved to Kansas City from Denver twelve years ago, for the first time as an adult, he began to attend church. After six years, thanks to Gods amazing grace, he submitted to His calling, repented and turned to the Lord as Savior. At that time, Mark began studying Gods Word at Bible Study Fellowship and a year later became a BSF discussion leader and continues to serve as a an assistant teaching leader.
Mark and his wife, Janet, were drawn to Summit Woods in 2005 by the expository preaching and quickly found a church home. Mark continues to be passionate about the study and teaching of Gods Word as well as sharing the Gospel with those the Lord has put in his life. In addition to his role as an elder, Mark serves as an ABF teacher at SWBC. He is an avid runner and makes use of that time by listening to podcasts of the wonderful sermons and Bible teaching that are available online.
Rob Stouffer
Rob was born and raised on a family farm in west central Missouri. Rob was saved at the age of 12 while attending a small country church, Zoar Baptist Church. He left the farm to pursue a college degree in Business Administration and Political Science from William Jewell College. He then obtained an MBA with an emphasis in entrepreneurship from the Bloch School of Business at UMKC. Rob has been a small business owner since 1995. Rob married his high school sweetheart, Rachel, in 1993 after they both graduated college. They have lived in the Lee’s Summit area since their wedding. God has blessed them with a son, Bennett, and daughter, Madeline.
Rob and Rachel felt called to join SWBC in 1999. Shortly after joining, Rob started serving in the student ministry. He has taught a young adult class for the last several years. Rob has served on various committees including serving as chairman of the personnel and finance committees. He was ordained as a deacon in 2004. In May 2007, when church voted to adopt elder leadership, Rob served as an interim elder until the church’s first elders were elected in May 2009. Rob was elected to serve as an elder in September 2009.