About Us
Faithbridge Church is a new church in the Lake area designed to use what is cultural and say what is timeless. Faithbridge, a ministry of the United Methodist Church, is all about making things simple, because church had gotten complicated. Faithbridge meets every Sunday at 9:45 a.m. All are welcome to check them out, a membership not needed and no perfect people allowed. To find out more about Faithbridge, take the time to surf this site. The idea behind the name, Faithbridge, is that the members want to bridge the gap between God to People, People to God, and People to People. Many of the members of Faithbridge are everyday members of the community, but the church also welcomes guests and passersby who need a place to worship for the weekend. Faithbridge's worship is provided through traditional scripture, media, drama performances. The church also provides childcare via the Children's Ministry, which has a program for children infant and older.
Staff
Pastor
Buck Cueni-Smith is a new church start pastor. He has a heart for creating relevant experiences that bridge God to people. He has two major convictions: 1) God is the glue that holds relationships together, and 2) God answers prayer through His presence and through people. Buck was born in Temple, Texas. He is a graduate of Lon Morris College (A.A.), Texas Wesleyan University (B.S.) and St. Paul School of Theology(M.Div.) He has served in a variety of ministry setting from youth ministry to being a circuit minister in the British Methodist Church outside of Birmingham, England and in various sized churches from 11,000 to 35 members. Buck met Colleen while in college and they were married in 1994. Buck and Colleen have three children. Annie and Libby are twins and Benjamin is five years the younger. Find out more about the pastor of Faithbridge Church @ www.lakepastor.com
Worship Arts/Leader
Ashlie Stites was born and raised in the small town of Weaubleau, MO. At 16 she moved to Nashville to experience the BIG music scene where she quickly got a job singing back-up for country music star Sara Evans. While she was touring with Sara, Ashlie performed on numerous television and award shows such as the CMA awards, the Grand Ole Opry, the Miss Universe Pageant, and Austin City Limits. She also toured with stars such as Reba McEntire, George Strait, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, and Kenny Chesney. She returned home to Missouri and enrolled in college and obtained a degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Just out of college, Ashlie accepted a role as a leading cast member in the Main Street Opry in Osage Beach. Somewhere between working at Lake Regional Hospital during the day and the Music Hall at night, she met the love of her life, Kirk Stites. The couple are now married with a four-year-old son, Beau, and daughter, Bella, born in August, 2009.
Director of Children's Ministries
Ann
Larson grew up a Columbia, Missouri girl vacationing to the lake area
throughout her life. She attended
Louisiana State University upon high school graduation.
During a summer break working at the Lake of the Ozarks she met her
future husband, Jon Larson. Ann and
Jon were married in 1996 and continued their life here at the Lake.
In 2000, they started their family owned building business and in
2004 were blessed with their son, Jackson.
Jon and Ann welcomed baby Grace into their lives in 2005.
January of 2010 Ann joined the vision at Faithbridge Church in
leading our Children’s Ministry.
She is very enthusiastic about helping the children of Faithbridge learn
about the power of God and the blessings He bestows upon us all.
There are lots of exciting programs she has for all the kids from
Sunday school lesson, crafts, and games to our wonderful VBS adventures.