Our Staff
Our staff exists to help administrate and assist our members in carrying out our purpose as a church.
Bret Capranica
Pastor-Teacher
Bret was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas. He became a Christian at age 14 after being exposed to the gospel and its profound effects in his family. At age 18 Bret was called to be an associate pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church, just outside of Amarillo. At age 20, he assumed the pastorate of the church.
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. While in seminary, he was the pastor of First Baptist Church of Granada Hills. Just before graduation in 2001, he met Kelly and was married, September 1st 2001. They have three children, Brie, Emi, and David.
In 2002, the Capranicas moved to San Jacinto, CA to become a pastor at First Baptist Church and enjoyed eight years of fruitful ministry. Bret joined the leadership team at Summit Woods as Pastor-Teacher and as an elder in October 2010. Feel free to email Bret.
Dawson Bryant
Music and Outreach Pastor
Dawson joined the staff of Summit Woods Baptist Church in the spring of 2006. He provides leadership in the areas of music and worship, as well as outreach. Dawson and his wife, Carrie, were married on July 15th, 2000. Their son, Pryce Dawson, was born August 19th, 2005, and Sophie Reese joined the family on March 18, 2009.
Dawson was born and raised here in Lee’s Summit, MO and is a graduate of Lee’s Summit High School. It was at Blue Ridge Baptist Temple in Kansas City, MO that he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. Dawson received his bachelor’s degree from University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music in 2000. After answering God’s call to ministry, he graduated in 2003 from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree.
Outside serving at Summit Woods Baptist Church, Dawson enjoys spending time with his family. He and Carrie both have family in the area and are excited to be able to serve in their hometown. Dawson can also be found hunting golf balls at the course, enjoying the outdoors on a motorcycle, or reading a good book. However, his most enjoyable time is spent with Carrie, Pryce and Sophie.
Peggy George
Director of Children’s Ministries
Peggy joined the staff of Summit Woods Baptist Church in June, 2005 as Director of our children’s ministries, overseeing the planning, allocation, and evaluation of all aspects of the children’s ministry. Prior to taking on duties here at Summit Woods Peggy spent 15 years teaching Second Graders at Blue Ridge Christian School in Kansas City.
Children have always been a major part of Peggy’s life. In 1977 she married her husband, Bill, and God gave them four children to love and raise, Christopher, Jennifer, Megan, and Seth, three of which are married and have added four grandchildren to the family. However, 21 years later she and Bill knew God wanted them to adopt a child and God blessed them with Taegan, all the way from China.
Peggy graduated from Calvary Bible College in 1990 with a BS in Elementary Education. The time spent raising a family and teaching has given her a firm foundation for doing the many duties required in the Children’s Ministry.
Peggy enjoys spending time with her family, keeping up with Taegan, and reading. Helping children see, for the first time, a loving and holy God, their need for a Savior, and the growth in their Christian walk are some of the greatest blessings God has given her the privilege to enjoy.
Kandy Jackson
Director of Congregational Care and Counseling
Kandy joined our staff at Summit Woods in May of 2005. She is a counselor and the Director of Congregational Care and the Women’s Ministry at the church. She also speaks at various seminars regarding discipleship and counseling issues.
Kandy has her Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing and a Masters of Arts in counseling from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Before going to seminary, Kandy worked as a critical care nurse for 11 years at St. Joseph Health Center and then spent several years at home raising children full time. It was during these years that God began convicting her about the need for women to minister to other women. She began leading a women’s Bible study in her home and along with several like-minded ladies, began the women’s ministry at Summit Woods Baptist Church. In the last few years, God has grown this ministry to include regular day and evening Bible studies, a yearly women’s event, a mentoring ministry and special topic seminars. Kandy’s passion in ministry is Biblical teaching, discipleship and counseling that promotes love and desire for God as our primary pursuit. She has been on mission trips to Mexico, Haiti, and Romania where she utilizes her nursing and ministry background.
Kandy has been married to Barry since 1979 and has three grown children. Besides enjoying time with her family, she likes to read, quilt, garden, and cheer for the Chiefs (some years) as hobbies.
Mary Ann Allen
Administrative and Financial Assistant
Mary Ann joined our staff at Summit Woods Baptist Church in December of 2003. Before coming to Summit Woods, she worked as a Church Financial Secretary for five years. She is member of the BSAM (Baptist Secretaries Association of Missouri) and served in its leadership as President (2003-2004) and Membership Vice President (2006-2007). Mary Ann is also a member of the National Association of Church Business Administration. She has led training classes for church secretaries on the local and state level.
Prior to serving in local church administration, she had a background in law enforcement. She has worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington DC and as a Law Enforcement Officer with the Kansas City Missouri Police Department. She and her husband Dean (who is also an officer with the KCMO Police Dept) have two grown sons, Jonathan and Adam.
Mary Ann came to know the Lord as a young child in Gentry, Missouri. She currently is a member of Sycamore Hills Baptist Church and serves as the Finance Committee Chairperson and teaches 3rd & 4th grade Sunday School.
Her hobbies include riding motorcycles (Harley Davidson) with her husband, basket weaving and playing the piano.