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Pastor Rob & Krista are both natives of the Northeast.  Rob grew up in Connecticut, where he was called into full-time ministry as a child. Krista is from upstate New York, where she was raised in a Christian home. After they met at Boston Baptist College in 1991 and were married that same year.

Both Pastor Rob and Krista are college graduates. Rob earned his B.A. in pastoral studies from Baptist Bible College of Springfield, MO in 1997, while Krista graduated in 1991 from Boston Baptist College. Before moving to Rochester, Rob served as associate pastor at Bellview Baptist Church in Springfield, MO, leading along with Krista in several different ministries including worship and young married adults.

In October 2003, the Willis family moved to Rochester, and Pastor Rob became the Senior Pastor of The Journey.  Both Pastor Rob and Krista have served in various ministry roles, and are excited about what God has in store next for The Journey.

Rob and Krista have two kids that they are immensely proud of. Their oldest, Seth is involved in ROTC in high school and plays bass on the praise team. Their daughter, Kayla, is in middle school and is an active part of the Journey Youth Group. Their other children are their two dogs, George and Millie.

Rob and Krista are excited about what God is doing at The Journey, and they are passionate about leading this church into the vision that God has given to them.


Rod Kesselring is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. After feeling called to full time ministry, he attended Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO and received a Bachelors in Pastoral Studies and minors in both music and missions in 1994. He then received a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Counseling in 1997.

Rod's wife, Elizabeth, grew up in the suburbs of Kansas City, Kansas. They were married in August 1991 and she earned her Bachelor's degree in 1992 in Missions with a Business minor. Together, they have served in multiple ministries, in Springfield, MO and Pueblo, CO.

 
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 In April of 2004, they, along with their preschool twins Joseph and Abigail and a yellow Lab named Calvin, came to Rochester to work with Rob and Krista at The Journey and share their vision for this community. Rod serves as the Associate Pastor overseeing small groups, communications, and internal ministries. Elizabeth serves as the Church Secretary/Treasurer, and co-leads the GPS Women's Ministry with Krista.