Who We Are
A Casual Church with a Serious Faith
Making new disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
At Prairie Chapel, we believe every person — regardless of background, history, or circumstance — deserves a place to belong, a community to grow with, and a faith worth living.
"Prairie Chapel is an inviting Christian community where everyone, regardless of any circumstance, can encounter God's love, grow in faith, and prepare one's heart for greater service in God's Kingdom."
We believe the Holy Scriptures are the inspired, authoritative Word of God — our guide for faith and practice.
We believe in one God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — three persons, one divine nature, working together in all things.
We believe salvation is available to all through Jesus Christ — His life, death, and resurrection — received by faith and grace.
We believe the Church is the Body of Christ — called to worship, grow, and serve together as one family united in faith.
We practice baptism as a sacrament of faith and welcome — available through sprinkling, pouring, or immersion.
We celebrate Holy Communion as a means of grace — an open table where all who believe are welcome.
Pastor Jeff has been Prairie Chapel's Senior Pastor since 2010 and the church's worship leader since it was planted in 2000. A Skyline High School graduate, he holds a BFA in Theater from UCM Warrensburg and completed his Course of Study at Saint Paul School of Theology in Leewood, KS.
Jeff and his wife Melissa have two adult children, Corbin and Chloe, and a growing family including daughter-in-law Dani, grandson Asher, and son-in-law Lane.
"I am someone who has been there and done that. You're a lot more compassionate if you have been in someone else's shoes. I just like to keep it real."
In his free time Pastor Jeff enjoys writing, music, the outdoors, and traveling.
Two small United Methodist churches in Preston and Urbana — both declining — chose to close their doors and create something new. After meeting in the Skyline School gymnasium for three years, the congregation moved into their fellowship hall on Easter Sunday, 2000. The campus now sits on 23 acres across from Skyline High School.
To provide a home for pastoral leadership, the parsonage was constructed on the church campus.
With steady growth over the years, the congregation began prayerfully seeking God's will for a new worship facility to accommodate their expanding community and ministries.
In August 2019, a groundbreaking celebration was held and construction began on the new worship center.
In May 2021, Prairie Chapel opened its brand-new 400-seat worship center — with dedicated spaces for children's ministry, a youth wing, adult education, and an expanded nursery. A testament to God's faithfulness.
We'd love to have you. Services are every Sunday — come as you are. There's a place saved just for you.