Student Life & Events
Meet the Team
Tim Adams
Director of Student Life & Events
Contact: TAdams3@mbts.edu
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Family: I met my wife, Kelsey, while serving with K-Life Ministries. We married in 2007. We have three children: Wynndal (10), Cambre (8), Bridger (6).
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: I am not sure I can pick just one, my favorites are 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.
Kristen Lanier
Assistant Director of Student Life/Title IX Deputy Coordinator
Contact: KLanier@mbts.edu
Hometown: Pace, Florida
Family: My husband, Joseph, & I met while we were both at University of Mobile in Mobile, Alabama. We moved to Kansas City shortly after getting married and have been married for 4 years. We have two kids: Ingrid and Titus. Joseph graduated with his PhD and is the manager of the Tomlinson Café and Sword & Trowel Bookstore.
Degree Program: Master of Counseling
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: Q39 (specifically their brisket) or burnt ends from anywhere
Most Impactful Book: First, The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Tim Keller is a short but sweet reflection on gospel-centered humility for everyday life. Secondly, Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges was the first book to speak of God’s redemptive plan & my struggle with Crohn’s disease.
Clara Sylvester
Assistant Director of Events
Contact: CSylvester@mbts.edu
Hometown: My parents live in Louisville, Kentucky, although I most recently lived in Southwest Ohio before I moved to Kansas City — let’s just say I’m a thoroughly Midwestern girl.
Family: My husband Daniel and I live in Kansas City and love it like nothing else! Hit us up for all our favorite KC recommendations.
Degree program: I’m pursuing a Masters of Divinity and am a certified Biblical Counselor with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors.
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: Joe’s Kansas City, although I’m much more passionate about Kansas City Coffee than I am about the BBQ.
Most Impactful Book: The Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent has been one of the most transformational books I’ve ever read.
Armando Rodriguez
Male Undergraduate RA/Office Coordinator
Contact: ARodriguez@mbts.edu
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
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.
Dalton Parker
Intramural Coordinator/Student Leadership Executive
Contact: DParker21769@mbts.edu
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 a cat named Fred.
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.
Grace Lehew
Female Undergraduate RA
Contact: GLehew@mbts.edu
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.
Sarah Commerford
Female Graduate RA/Upperclassman Apartment RA
Contact: SCommerford@mbts.edu
Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Family: I have two sisters, one brother, and four nephews. We’ve all grown up and lived in the KC area our entire lives.
Degree Program: BA in Biblical Counseling
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: Joe’s Kansas City BBQ
Most Impactful Book: Changed Into His Image by Jim Berg. This was one of the first books I read in my degree program, and it was foundational in helping me develop a biblical understanding of the Christian life.
Alexandru Macra
Male Graduate RA
Contact: IMacra@mbts.edu
Hometown: Arad, Romania
Family: I have two sisters and I’m the middle child. All my family lives in Romania.
Degree Program: Master of Divinity
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: Joe’s Kansas City BBQ
Most Impactful Book: Brave Companions by David McCullough
Subhash Vuppula
Male Undergraduate RA (KMC)
Contact: SVuppula@mbts.edu
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: Doctor of Ministry
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: Jack Stack BBQ is my favorite
Most Impactful Book: I love to read books by Kevin DeYoung and John Piper. Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung is one of the most impactful books I’ve read.
Joel Whitson
Male Upperclassman Apartment RA
Contact: JWhitson@mbts.edu
Hometown: St. Joseph, MO
Family: Unmarried, but I am the fun uncle to two nieces and a nephew.
Degree program: PhD in Systematic Theology
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: Slaps BBQ
Most Impactful Book: For Christian books it would be Confessions by Augustine. For novels it would be East of Eden by Steinbeck.
Anna Patterson
Family RA
Contact: APatterson2@mbts.edu or FamilyRA@mbts.edu
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 BBQ:I don’t really like BBQ that much… TBH, I would rather go to Chick-fil-a.
Most Impactful Book: Becoming Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn
Blake Patterson
Family RA
Contact: BPatterson@mbts.edu or FamilyRA@mbts.edu
Hometown: St. Ansgar, IA
Family: Anna (wife)
Degree Program: Masters of Divinity with Biblical Counseling Emphasis
Favorite Kansas City BBQ: Slaps
Most Impactful Book: Prodigal God by Tim Keller
Student Clubs
Student clubs are a great way to explore your interests and get involved on campus. Whether you’re interested in making a few running friends, joining a book club, or starting a creative writing group, this is a great way to get connected. You can contact Student Life at studentlife@mbts.edu for more information about joining or starting a club, then fill out a Student Club Proposal here: