What a joy to serve this wonderful congregation during this time of transition!  One of the meanings of transition is that things are not “on hold,” and that would describe Prairie during this time.  This congregation has strong lay and pastoral leadership and there is a lot of forward momentum as we envision new ways of reaching out and impacting the world around us.  We are living into an exciting future.

After nearly forty years of pastoral leadership, I took early retirement at the end of 2010, only to accept the interim pastoral position at Prairie in February of 2011. I am delighted to lead this congregation in preaching, worship and administrative leadership until such time as a new senior pastor is called.

For my wife and me, Kansas City is our home and we are excited to experience a “homecoming” at this point in our lives.  It feels good to be rooted in this congregation.  As newcomers, we have been warmly welcomed.

I believe this is what you will experience should you decide to visit Prairie Church.  Excellence in worship, preaching, music and education have long been trademarks of this congregation.  On this website, you can read recent sermons that have been preached here, and you can get to know us through our expansive program and ministry offerings.

Best of all, come visit us on a Sunday morning.  We offer two worship experiences:

8:30 am: a contemporary service using the gifts of the Prairie House Band.

10:45 am: a blended service with our Prairie Chancel choir.  The same sermon is preached at both services.

In the winter and spring of 2011, we are in the midst of a major building renovation.  We hope to return to our sanctuary on Easter Sunday.  In the meantime, we are enjoying the informal spaces of our Fellowship Hall. It’s a great time to visit and to meet our people.

On behalf of our pastoral team, Ruth, Kyle and myself, we would be delighted to meet you and interpret in person what Prairie Baptist Church has to offer.

-         Dr. Stephen D. Jones, interim pastor

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Here’s what some of our members say about Prairie Baptist Church:

“Prairie is a supportive part of our lives.  You hope that there is just a little good you could do by being a member of a mission church like this as I have been for 56 years.”  Barbara

“Church has been an important part of my life since I was a child, but Prairie has been a church home like no other.  I love the people, I am moved by the music, and I feel cared for by our pastors.  Sunday services inspire me and the sermons challenge me.  In all honesty, one of our biggest reasons to continue living in Kansas City is that we love being part of Prairie Baptist Church.”  David

“I like Prairie because it is a nice place to meet other people.  When I come I sit in my pew and listen.  I like the part where we go to Sunday School.  We get to learn things about the older days like what Jesus did and said. ” Annemarie (age 5)

“Prairie challenges me to make sure that my life and faith are engaged with each other.  I am always impressed with Prairie’s way of trying to deal openly with what it  means to be a people of faith and a church in our culture with all the struggles in the world around us.  It’s exemplified by Sunday School classes that discuss hard issues and a pastor and other preachers open enough to speak about controversial  issues that cause me to think and live my life differently.”  Jim

“I love my Sunday School class.  The community feel of it, the care, the interesting  conversation that we have about how to live our lives every day.  I love the  challenging worship.  It uses all of my senses and stretches my thinking and inspires  for this living that we talk about in Sunday School.”  Frieda