Baptist church welcomes new pastor with family focus

Josh Monhollon started as the lead pastor at Eudora Baptist Church on Jan. 21.

BY CAMI KOONS

Josh Monhollon has only been in Eudora for two weeks, but said he’s starting to find routine as Eudora Baptist Church’s lead pastor. A Kansan from birth, Monhollon said he feels at home in Eudora already.

“People have been very welcoming, loving and very supportive,” Monhollon said. “Eudora definitely has a very family feeling to it.”

Monhollon started at Eudora Baptist Church on Jan. 21, replacing the church’s former pastor, Jeff Ingle, who left in May 2019. Ingle left Eudora to serve at Alpine Church in Riverdale, Utah.

Monhollon grew up outside of Topeka before going to the University of Kansas with plans to study medicine. He said while in school, he began to feel called into ministry. After graduating with a degree in history, he started at The First Southern Baptist Church of Pratt, Kansas as the family life pastor, where he worked for a decade.

Monhollon said he didn’t think they would stay in Pratt for 10 years but that it was a blessing nonetheless. The Monhollons currently live in Topeka as they search for a home in Eudora and wait for their house in Pratt to sell.

“We’d really like to settle in and stay here [in Eudora],” Monhollon said. “We’ll do whatever God has for us.”

Michael Abruzzo, associate pastor of students, said Monhollon likes to focus on family ministry and youth.

“We are excited to have Josh,” Abruzzo said. “He is a talented young man and he shares a lot of the same values that I do.”

Monhollon said when he’s not at the church or preparing a message, he is at home with his family. Monhollon and his wife, Bethany, have three children of their own and foster two children as well. Bethany currently homeschools all five children.

“I love being a dad,” Monhollon said. “Foster care and ministry have taken a lot of my time, but it’s been a blessing.”

Belinda Rehmer, a member of the church, said Monhollon has a great faith and mission and that she is excited for what he will bring to the church.

“I love his family,” Rehmer said. “I think they’re going to be a wonderful addition to our community.”

Reach reporter Cami Koons at eudoratimes@gmail.com.

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