Rachel (Grifford), Director of Children and Family Ministry with her husband (and assistant), Jack Smith

Jack and Rachel grew up in the same youth program at ELCA Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Manchester, Missouri from fourth grade all the way through high school. This ministry not only brought them together, but instilled in them the importance of children, youth, and family ministry in the life of a thriving church.

During her time at University of Kansas, Rachel was heavily involved as a campus ministry intern in the ELCA Campus Ministry program, and also spent two summers serving youth at Camp Tomah Shinga. After graduating, she spent a year and a half serving as Director of Youth and Family Ministry at Advent Lutheran Church in Olathe, before returning to graduate school for her masters at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Now serving as a Bioinformatician and facilitating biological research in cancer and other diseases, Rachel is absolutely delighted to continue serving in family ministry at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection.

As the general manager of Music & Arts in Olathe, Jack spends a great deal of time fostering an environment where youth musicians can thrive in their creative pursuits through music lessons and showcases. He also has served as 4th and 5th grade bible class leader, using his music as a tool to help the youth learn all 66 books of the bible in order.