BENAE DUFF
Director of Children's Ministry
Benae Duff grew up near Montezuma, Iowa, and graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education. She and her husband Tom live in Urbandale, with two high-maintenance pets. They began attending Westkirk together, were married here in 1999 and raised their three (now adult and college-age) children at Westkirk. Benae served as a Deacon and in Children’s Ministry before coming on staff in 2013.
Benae completed the PCA’s Children’s Ministry Certification program in 2019, and regularly participates in children’s ministry leadership training opportunities through the PCA. She also has traveled to Turkey and Poland to help lead children’s programming for International Messengers’ Staff Conferences.
As Director of Children’s Ministry, Benae coordinates programming for children from birth to 11 years old. This includes Sunday School, Westkirk on Wednesday (WOW), Summer WOW, and our children's choir.
Benae loves being in the classroom with children, and is grateful to Lord for his calling. “Serving the Lord in Children’s Ministry at Westkirk is a joy! Watching children grow spiritually is so exciting. Getting to nurture that growth and equipping our church family to do the same are great blessings.”
Benae completed the PCA’s Children’s Ministry Certification program in 2019, and regularly participates in children’s ministry leadership training opportunities through the PCA. She also has traveled to Turkey and Poland to help lead children’s programming for International Messengers’ Staff Conferences.
As Director of Children’s Ministry, Benae coordinates programming for children from birth to 11 years old. This includes Sunday School, Westkirk on Wednesday (WOW), Summer WOW, and our children's choir.
Benae loves being in the classroom with children, and is grateful to Lord for his calling. “Serving the Lord in Children’s Ministry at Westkirk is a joy! Watching children grow spiritually is so exciting. Getting to nurture that growth and equipping our church family to do the same are great blessings.”
DEBBIE O’LEARY
Office Coordinator
Debbie grew up in the Des Moines area and attended Iowa Methodist School of Nursing. After
graduating, she and Dave married, and they moved to Waterloo where they lived for 39 years and raised their six children. She worked as an RN for several years and taught their children at home. In 2017, they moved back to Des Moines to be near their growing number of grandchildren. She and Dave began attending Westkirk, and in 2020 she started working here as the Office Coordinator, the best job she’s ever had!
graduating, she and Dave married, and they moved to Waterloo where they lived for 39 years and raised their six children. She worked as an RN for several years and taught their children at home. In 2017, they moved back to Des Moines to be near their growing number of grandchildren. She and Dave began attending Westkirk, and in 2020 she started working here as the Office Coordinator, the best job she’s ever had!
JORDAN POHLMANN
Director of Vocal Music
When Jordan and his wife Mary arrived at Westkirk in 2013, they were immediately welcomed and encouraged by members who have since become their long-time friends. At that time, they were a young couple with a dog and a small apartment. Now, they have grown into a family of six and always look forward to stepping out of their busy week to share fellowship and join in worship with their Westkirk brothers and sisters.
Jordan has the privilege of directing the Westkirk Choir and the contemporary Worship Ensemble, as well as the brass and strings groups. Music has been a passion of his for his entire life. He is ever thankful for the opportunity to lead and serve in a community that deeply cherishes God’s gifts of singing and music. Westkirk is known as a singing congregation, and they lift their voices with passion when proclaiming the glory and goodness of God, and all that He has done for them. Jordan is immensely thankful for the numerous highly talented individuals who make up the ensembles, sacrificing their time and energy to make the worship services at Westkirk beautiful and rich.
In addition to his ministry at Westkirk, Jordan serves as the choral music classroom teacher at Two Rivers Classical Academy where he directs a number of vocal ensembles. He also has the privilege of working with many fine young musicians in his private voice and piano studio. Moreover, every day is an adventure for him as he homeschools their children.
Jordan has the privilege of directing the Westkirk Choir and the contemporary Worship Ensemble, as well as the brass and strings groups. Music has been a passion of his for his entire life. He is ever thankful for the opportunity to lead and serve in a community that deeply cherishes God’s gifts of singing and music. Westkirk is known as a singing congregation, and they lift their voices with passion when proclaiming the glory and goodness of God, and all that He has done for them. Jordan is immensely thankful for the numerous highly talented individuals who make up the ensembles, sacrificing their time and energy to make the worship services at Westkirk beautiful and rich.
In addition to his ministry at Westkirk, Jordan serves as the choral music classroom teacher at Two Rivers Classical Academy where he directs a number of vocal ensembles. He also has the privilege of working with many fine young musicians in his private voice and piano studio. Moreover, every day is an adventure for him as he homeschools their children.
BARB MCCARGAR
Head Custodian
Barb grew up in West Des Moines and graduated from Valley High School. After graduating from DMACC as a medical assistant she worked for five years before starting her family. Barb is the proud mother of 8 children (2 boys and 6 girls). She also has 16 grandchildren. Barb started as custodian in 2006 and works hard to keep the building looking beautiful. She considers it a privilege to make a good impression upon the members and guests when they enter church. Besides a busy schedule of custodian work around Westkirk, she also performs morning and afternoon crossing guard duties for Crestview Elementary School in Clive.