Central Region Staff
Dr. Gregg Hemmen
Executive Minister
Gregg Hemmen grew up in Steamboat Rock, a small farming community in central Iowa. After high school graduation, he earned his A.A.S. in Farm Operations and Management from Ellsworth Community College. He went on to complete his B.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Sioux Falls, his M.Div. and M.A. in Counseling from Sioux Falls Seminary, and his D.Min. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Gregg has served three congregations in his 25 years of local pastoral ministry: Wentworth Presbyterian Church in Wentworth, SD, while going to seminary; Cane Creek Baptist Church in Hillsborough, NC; and First Baptist Church in Rapid City, SD. Gregg also serves as a faculty mentor for students at Sioux Falls Seminary.
Gregg is married to Rev. Dr. Diane Lynn Janssen Hemmen who currently serves as the transitional pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. They have two children, Ainslee, a college Senior who is pre-med and studies at Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN, and Eli, a college Sophomore studying business and sports marketing at Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ.
Rev. Jennifer Schneider
Associate Executive Minister
Rev. Jennifer Schneider serves as Associate Executive Minister. After several years in local church ministry in Kansas, she joined the Region staff in 2019. Jennifer provides support for churches seeking resources for ministry, assists congregations with pastoral transition needs, and is responsible for the Region's NextGen ministries.
Jennifer grew up in Overland Park, KS. She has a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Kansas and an M.Div. from Central Baptist Theological Seminary. She is married to John, and they have three grown children.
Dr. Bill Hendericks
Director of Interim Ministry
Bill Hendricks’ career is built on developing people while they are experiencing organizational transition, from local congregations to the corporate boardroom. He’s also coached world-class athletes and worked with youth struggling with drug addiction. He brings a broad, well-grounded faith and practical, real-world applicability to the Interim Ministries Program of the Central Region.
Bill grew up in Davenport, Iowa, the oldest of four boys. He met Jacki when they were 18 years old and, have been married since 1969. They moved to Overland Park with their son, Scott, in 1988. Jacki and Bill have been Puppy Raisers, working to prepare assistance dogs for people with special needs and have been very active in Golden Retriever Rescue, hosting, and re-homing more than 50 lost Goldens.
Bill earned a BA in physical education from the University of Northern Iowa. He taught school for 8 years coaching swimming and diving for 12 years. He earned a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary and has pastored full time serving churches in Iowa, Illinois, and Kansas. He has also worked bi-vocationally as an interim and provided pulpit support for more than 20 years. Dr. Hendricks completed his started his Doctor of Ministry at Northern seminary and completed this degree at the University of Dubuque, with a focus on conflict management in the local church.
After playing a significant role in growing a start-up company into the world’s largest in its field in 1996, Dr. Hendricks founded Hendricks Training, an international consulting business focused on organizational growth and performance. He has worked with most of the Fortune 100 on 5 different continents in 13 different countries. He brings extensive expertise in architecting solutions, coaching organizations through change and transformation. His strategic approach drives creativity, commitment, and improved engagement. He has helped organizations identify expectations, define priorities, and then equip them for success.
Morgan Bandy
Communications and Financial Administrator
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Morgan has served on staff since March 2021. Before serving as administrator, she served as the Camping Coordinator and as Family Life pastor at FBC Stilwell from 2017-2022. She has directed junior, middle school, and high school camps. Morgan continues to serve as high school camp director as well as a one of the leaders for the region's 4Ten leadership program. Morgan has a B.A. in Christian Studies from Ottawa University and is currently working towards her M.Div. at Central Seminary.
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Morgan is a Ewing Sarcoma cancer survivor and lifelong amputee. She is an advocate for others and works at bringing awareness to areas of everyday life that aren't accessible or inclusive for those with disabilities. She has an interest in disability theology and helping the church be more accessible and inclusive.
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Morgan loves bees, butterflies, and flowers. She spends time kayaking and playing volleyball with friends, visiting her family in Texas, and watching movies with her 20lb cat, Ferguson.
