We are a Staff Lead Church that is thrilled to have a diverse team leading our church! With a host of different backgrounds, experiences, and education, Three Trails is incredibly blessed.
Meet Our TEAM
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Chris & Rachel Bailey
LEad & Teaching pastor
Chris joined The Church at Three Trails staff in May of 2021 as Worship Pastor, adding Executive Pastor to his role in July of 2022, and Lead Pastor in October of 2024. He began working in ministry in 1997, serving in many areas, such as worship, connection, operations, church planter, and senior pastor. Chris & Rachel both grew up in the Kansas City area, graduating from Blue Springs High School & Raytown High School. They have 10 kids that range from 30 all the way down to 6 and are adoptive parents as well.
Chris & Rachel's hearts are to see a revival of Jesus in the hearts of the people of Independence and to see the city become an epicenter of what God wants to do in our county and state! He is passionate about community, discipleship, and reaching and impacting local communities.
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Brian & Sarah grout
Teaching pastor
Brian came to The Church at Three Trails in March of 2013, after spending 11 years in youth ministry in Texas and Missouri. He currently works full-time as the Associate Direct of Missions for the Blue River Kansas City Baptist Association, and serves Three Trails as both a Teaching & Consulting Pastor. Sarah served as the Director of our Worship Ministry for several years, and is still deeply involved.
Their desire is to see Three Trails be a strong influence in the city of Independence and to see the church live out the gospel on a daily basis and be all that God intended it to be, as seen in Ephesians 3:10-11. Brian and his wife, Sarah, have been married since 2000 and have three kids: Ethan, Brooklyn, and Payton.
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Sue & Mike McMillan
director of children's ministry
Sue and her family became members of The Church at Three Trails in 2013. Her and her husband, Mike, were married in 1996 and have three amazing children: Michaela, Madyson, and Logan. Her vision for the children's ministry at Three Trails is to assist families in introducing and growing their child's relationship with God. Sue is excited to be utilizing the Grow curriculum in Trails Kids which enables children of all ages to access their Bible studies at home with their families throughout the week.
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Kori & Madyson Cheatham
Student & Teaching Pastor
Kori joined the staff of Church at Three Trails as Youth Pastor in March of 2024 after having joined the church and worship team in July of 2021. Kori and Madyson have been serving in Youth Ministry together since being married in December of 2017. Madyson, who is the daughter of Pastor Chris, grew up in the production booth helping with audio and visual from a young age. She started as head of production going into 2025. They also serve in a variety of other capacities such as worship, kids/VBS, Kori on finance committee, and hospitality. The high school sweethearts welcomed their first baby, daughter Paisley, in October of 2024. They also still proudly promote “Aunt and Uncle” to 10 nieces and nephews with more to come!
Kori & Madyson’s desire is to see teenagers know the love and truth found only in the Gospel. At their core is equipping students to grow and equip them for the major life change that comes with finishing high school. Their Student Ministry focusses on vulnerability, community, independent growth, and experiencing God through multiple connection points (i.e. worship, prayer, scripture, community). “The landscape for youth ministry is always changing, but God’s love and pursuit of teenagers is unwavering, and we’re blessed to be a part of it.” – Kori
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Wayne & Kimberly Geiger
Connections & Teaching Pastor
Wayne and Kim Geiger have been married for almost 40 years and have been active in church ministry for more than 30 years. Wayne is a hospice chaplain and at 3T, helps out with discipleship and is a Growth Group teacher. Kimberly has the gift of administration and a women’s Bible teacher. Together they have four children and three grandchildren.
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Alberto & Veronica Suarez
Hispanic ministries pastor
Alberto has been a Pastor for 25 years, leading in various churches, pastors, and missions here in the United States, Mexico, and Ecuador. He and his wife Veronica, along with their children have been a part of the Three Trails staff since 2024. Their purpose is to build up individuals and families by helping them know God and the wonderful plan the Lord has for each of us, living it out in the community of God's family, and sharing the good news of salvation with the world. On Sundays, we have a Spanish class at 9:00 a.m. where we teach the topic "The Victorious Christian Life," as well as live translation in worship services. Alberto graduated from the Lomas Verdes Baptist Theological Seminary in Mexico City (2003), along with various training programs in both the United States and Mexico.
Alberto ha sido pastor durante 25 años, liderando diversas iglesias, pastores y misiones en Estados Unidos, México y Ecuador. Él, su esposa Verónica y sus hijos forman parte del equipo de Three Trails desde 2024. Su propósito es fortalecer a personas y familias, ayudándolas a conocer a Dios y el maravilloso plan que el Señor tiene para cada uno de nosotros, viviéndolo en la comunidad de la familia de Dios y compartiendo la buena nueva de salvación con el mundo. Los domingos, tenemos una clase de español a las 9:00 a. m. donde enseñamos el tema "La Vida Cristiana Victoriosa", además de ofrecer servicios de traducción en vivo durante los cultos. Alberto se graduó del Seminario Teológico Bautista Lomas Verdes en la Ciudad de México (2003), y realizó diversos programas de capacitación tanto en Estados Unidos como en México.