Spurgeon College
Student Life and Events
The Office of Student Life & Events exists to serve students by developing and coordinating on-campus events for students.
SL&E Staff
Meet the staff that will assist you during your time at Spurgeon College. Whether at student life events or in your dorm room, we’re here to serve, lead, and equip you as you grow at Spurgeon College.
Tim Adams
Director of Student Life & Events
Contact: TA[email protected]
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Family: I met my wife, Kelsey, while serving with K-Life Ministries. We married in 2007. We have three children: Wynndal (11), Cambre (9), Bridger (6).
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: My favorite is Q39 or Joe’s.
Most Impactful Book: JC Ryle’s Holiness; Its nature, hindrances, difficulties, and roots. Other than the Bible, it has been the most formative book for my spiritual growth and theology. It has shaped the way I think about the Lord, the way I carry myself in pursuit of a steadfast character, and the way I interact with the world.
Abby Kate Richardson
Assistant Director of Events
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: I’m originally from Boyd, TX but have lived in Amarillo, TX for the last 4 years before moving to Kansas City in August of 2023.
Family: I married my best friend Keegan in July of 2023 and 8 days later we moved to Kansas City so that he could pursue a M.Div. here at Midwestern!
Degree I obtained my B.S. in Sports and Exercise Science in May of 2023 from West Texas A&M University. I’m hoping to begin pursuing an M.Div. here at MBTS this Spring.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: My favorite Kansas City restaurant (so far) is either Longboards or Mi Ranchitos.
Most Impactful Book: Through Gates of Splendor by Elizabeth Elliot. The authors hope in God’s grace through all trials and changes is inspiring and the way she is impacted by God’s call to make disciples of all nations deeply impacted my perspective on certain things.
Armando Rodriguez
Assistant Director of Student Life
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: I am from Rogers, Arkansas. This place is filled with beautiful hiking spots, Onyx coffee, which is my favorite, and home of the best shopping center, Walmart.
Family: My parents and three older siblings live in the Northwest part of Arkansas. They have supported me greatly over the last three years since I have moved to Kansas City.
Degree Program: BA, Communications and currently pursuing an MDiv in Ministry Leadership.
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: Q39!
Most Impactful Book: The most impactful book to me has been On a Ship to Tarshish by Jeff Crawford. This book uses the life of Jonah to help you discern what God’s will for your life is. When I read this book, it steered the direction of where I was headed. It helped me discern my call to ministry and also one of the biggest reasons why I am at Midwestern.
Autumn Whisnant
SL&E Office Coordinator
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Cocoa Beach, FL.
Family: I am married to my awesome husband, and we are expecting our first in the spring.
Degree Pursuing my MTS degree.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: Probably Slaps.
Most Impactful Book: The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness by Tim Keller.
Anna Patterson
Family RA
Contact: [email protected] or [email protected].
Hometown: Bettendorf, Iowa.
Family: I am the oldest of 4 siblings (1 sister, 2 brothers). I met my husband, Blake, at Iowa State University where we both studied English Education and participated in international ministry. We have a mutual love of books and authentic Chinese food! In our three years of marriage, we have spent one year serving in Bangkok, Thailand. Blake is now pursuing his MDiv here at MBTS and I am working in the Admissions office.
Degree program: Admissions Application Coordinator.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: Billie’s Grocery.
Most Impactful Book: Becoming Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn.
Blake Patterson
Family RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: St. Ansgar, IA.
Family: I’ve been married to Anna since 2019!
Degree Program: Masters of Divinity.
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: Danny’s Burger Shack! (best Onion Rings of all time).
Most Impactful Book: Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology.
Chesed Chipman
Student Leadership Executive
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: I’m a Kansas City native!
Family: I’m a middle child of a big family; my four older siblings live all around the Midwest and two younger sisters still live at home. My parents and younger sisters live in Kansas City and are some of my dearest friends!
Degree I’m in Accelerate, getting my BA in Communications and MA in Christian Education.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: The Hibashi House in the City Market.
Most Impactful Book: L’Abri by Edith Schaeffer.
Clayton Miller
Male Upperclassmen Apartment RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Lawson, MO.
Family: I have two younger brothers and two incredible parents who live in Lawson.
Degree Accelerate MDiv: BA Biblical Studies.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: Hawaiian Bros
Most Impactful Book: Holiness by J.C. Ryle.
Dalton Parker
Student Leadership President/Intramural Coordinator
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Benton, Arkansas.
Family: I met my wife Emma my first year at Midwestern. We started dating a year later and got married in 2022. We have two cats named Fred and Manerva.
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: Hawg Jaw.
Most Impactful Book: The Christian Ministry by Charles Bridges; its challenge to growing in ministry constantly and how to avoid inefficiency was extremely convicting for a first year seminary student.
Eliana Livezey
Graduate RA/Upperclassmen Apartment RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Baltimore City, MD.
Family: My husband Billy and I met while we were both at Lancaster Bible College in Pennsylvania. Throughout our marriage, we have lived in Maine, Oklahoma, Florida, and by the Lord’s grace, now Kansas City! We moved to Missouri in 2023 when Billy accepted the head Men’s Basketball Coaching position at Spurgeon College.
Degree MA in Biblical Counseling.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: F325 has the best burnt-ends sandwiches in my opinion!
Most Impactful Book: The most impactful book I have ever read is Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis–but also, I’ve been greatly impacted by basically everything/anything that C.S. Lewis has written!
Grace Lehew
Female Undergraduate RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Sapulpa, OK.
Family: I have two wonderful parents and 5 siblings. My older sister and her husband live in KC and just had their first child. My older brother is recently married, still living in OK. I have a younger brother who just started school at Spurgeon and is by far my best friend. Then I have a younger brother (10) and sister (9) who have my whole heart.
Degree Program: Accelerate Missions: BA, Intercultural Studies; MDiv, ICP.
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: I haven’t chosen a favorite yet, but for now it’s Jack Stack BBQ.
Most Impactful Book: There’s too many to choose from. My top 3 are That Way and No Other by Amy Carmichael, Delighting in God by A.W. Tozer, and Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters by Carmen Joy Imes.
Haeley Gallegos
Female Undergraduate RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Greeley, CO.
Family: My family lives in Greeley, CO. They are very encouraging and have supported me in coming to Kansas City and Spurgeon College.
Degree: Intercultural Studies.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: Broken Rice.
Most Impactful Book: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.
Jackson Clark
Male Graduate RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: I’m from the middle of nowhere in a farm town called Neoga, IL.
Family: Kira is my wife and we have been married for a little over a year!
Degree I am pursuing my MDiv.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: It’s a toss-up between Joe’s and Jack Stack. I think if I had to choose one, I’d choose Joe’s.
Most Impactful Book: I think the most impactful book I have ever read is probably When I Don’t Desire God by John Piper.
Madelyn Hansen
Student Leader Executive
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Jefferson City, MO.
Family: I have four younger siblings.
Degree: MABC.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: Bay Boys.
Most Impactful Book: Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney.
Noah Johnson
Student Leadership Executive
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Fairview Heights, IL.
Family: Rachel (wife)
Degree Accelerate Missions (MDiv International Church Planting).
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: Q39.
Most Impactful Book: All of Grace by Charles Spurgeon.
Raul Perez
Male Undergraduate RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Juncos, Puerto Rico.
Family: I am the youngest in a family of four. My two wonderful parents live back in Puerto Rico. My awesome sister is in her senior year at Spurgeon College.
Degree Accelerate Track: BA in Biblical Studies and M.Div.
Favorite Kansas City Restaurant: My favorite spot in KC has to be Raising Cane’s. All I’m going to say is that I love chicken and their sauce is one of the best in the game.
Most Impactful Book: There are so many books that have been impactful on my walk with Christ. My top 3 are The Path to Being a Pastor by Bobbie Jamieson, The Glory of Christ by John Owen, and Lead by Paul David Tripp.
Subhash Vuppula
Male Undergraduate RA
Contact: [email protected]
Hometown: Nalgonda, India.
Family: I have two siblings – a brother and a sister. Both my parents are teachers, and they live in India.
Degree program: D.Min ( Expository Preaching)
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: Jack Stack BBQ.
Most Impactful Book: The Hidden Smile of God by John Piper.